As with all areas of dairy operations, increasing efficiency – in this case of feed in the rumen – deserves attention because when it is improved, gains can be seen beyond the area of focus, not to mention in sustainability (this includes economically) as well.

Profitable livestock production requires many quality management skills that all impact the technical results.

Extra revenue is great, but remember to weigh changes in expenses between alternative plans.

Cows, with their lineage tracing back to the Ice Age, thrive in cooler temperatures ranging from 40-60° Fahrenheit (°F)/4.4 – 15.6 ° Celsius (°C). As summer temperatures soar, highly productive cows face heat stress challenges and that becomes more challenging when fed unstable, heated and spoiled feed. This feed is a breeding ground for harmful microbes, compromising intake, performance and profitability. Understanding the risks of unstable feed and taking appropriate steps to minimize issues is crucial to safeguard cattle health and bolster the bottom line.

With 10% to 35% of cows experiencing mastitis each lactation, grappling with its cost is a reality of milking cows. A Canadian study showed mastitis costs dairy farmers roughly $660 per cow per year, making it the costliest disease of dairy cattle.

Robotic dairy systems have been available to the public for nearly three decades. In that time, numerous manufacturers have entered the industry, providing consumers with a variety of robotic solutions for milking, feeding and even manure management.

The more we understand automation, the better equipped we are to make it work for us. Let's explore the top five reasons for automating the milking routine on a dairy.

 Mycoplasma is not a new problem and has plagued dairy farms for over 50 years, so what are the factors that make this disease so dangerous and what have we learned about control and prevention?