There is hardly a component of the dairy that has not been researched. From management, genetics, nutrition, labor, parlor and housing design, equipment engineering and so on, every component of the dairy has been evaluated.

The most profitable dairies all have one thing in common – they are really good at getting milk components from cows.  They recognize the real value of milk lies in the fat and protein components and to get the best return on investment, they focus on feeding their cows for the most efficient component production, not just the highest milk production. In other words, they make sure every bite of the ration is working towards the right goal. 

Technology has changed the way dairies do business—from the apps that show market prices, to the automated technologies in the milking parlor – progressive farmers are always looking for new ways to advance their operations. And when it comes to analyzing forage, U.S. dairy farmers face a unique challenge. 

Doing more with less. For dairy producers facing tough market conditions, this adage rings more true now than ever. You are constantly looking for ways to be sustainable while keeping both your herd and bottom line healthy.

Forage harvest and quality can be like a wedding. This may seem comical at first read, but stick with me and understand how. With both harvest and a wedding, we start with great expectations, but in some cases those expectations are not met.

As we get into the warmer weather, dairy producers and their consultants should be on the lookout for subtle changes in cow behavior, along with changes in forage and feedbunk stability. These changes are a result of increases in both the environmental temperature and relative humidity, as measured by the temperature-humidity index (THI).

Corn silage and alfalfa haylage are great forage sources for dairy cattle and are common to the northeast U.S. However, there are other forage alternatives available to dairy producers. Increasing the variety of forages grown on a farm can decrease the impact of diseases, pests and climatic changes on a farm’s forage supply.

Crops in the field have naturally occurring microorganisms growing on them, which can affect the ensiling process. These common questions can help you prepare for a more successful harvest.

Corn silage is a high-quality feedstuff that allows you to capture high-moisture corn and a roughage source that can be used in all aspects of the beef cattle industry – feeding cows in confinement, growing cattle and finishing cattle in feedlots.

There has been a lot of focus in recent years on the amount of methane (CH4) emissions produced by dairy cows. In 2009, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy set a voluntary goal of reducing enteric methane emission levels 25 percent by 2020, and last year California announced regulation requiring a 40 percent reduction in whole-farm methane emissions between 2013 and 2030.