Core body temperature and calving alerts set a new herd health monitoring technology apart from an old system on Willow Breeze Farm.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy podcast, host Kimmi Devaney talks with a fourth-generation Washington dairy farmer about managing an automated milking system in a pasture-based system, opportunities available for young people interested in getting involved in the dairy industry, the ways automation has changed the way they manage the farm, facility upgrades and what they are doing differently to increase cow comfort, and more. 

It seems that the one constant in our dairy farms and farming families is change. Whether it’s the changing roles of family members in an operation or the way technology and new research findings are continually modifying how we care for animals, land and water, keeping up with and managing through these changes requires a commitment to learning in all forms. 

Standing ringside at a competitive cattle show is a type of high that has captivated so many in the registered dairy cattle industry. Watching your time, money and energy parade across the shavings, looking the best she ever has, gets your heart racing analyzing the judge's every move and nervously tapping your toe. 

We’ve heard in songs and sayings that “it only takes a spark” to light a fire, but sometimes it also takes several sparks a few different times to really get things going. At least, that was the case for our family farming business when it came to digging deep into the numbers and financials of our dairy and crop operation.

After a neighboring dairy installed fans in their freestall barns, Ryan Kroes was able to see firsthand the better results their neighbors had during the hot summer months.