In 1945, 80 percent of U.S. jobs were in businesses that made things. The remaining 20 percent were in service related industries. In his latest column, John Frey talks about how this has changed and the risks and rewards associated with the dairy business. PD Click here for the column.

When planning a hose system or pipeline, we must know what the capabilities of our pump are and what the losses in our system will be. In a previous article "Understanding pump performance curves" we learned how to determine the capabilities of a pump. The pump provides energy as Total Dynamic Head (TDH) that supplies the system. Remember, TDH is measured in feet and can be converted to pressure as PSI by dividing by 2.31.

Manure can have value if managed correctly. This value can be spread out over multiple years. The first year, 30 to 40 percent of the nitrogen (N) is available along with almost all of the phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). The second year, 10 percent of the N from the first year's is available and P and K not used in year one will still be useable. Year three has 5 percent N and any remaining P and K available for use.

A new campaign aimed at building interest in REAL Seal through social media launched this month, which, using Facebook, blogs and digital advertising, allows consumers to learn the benefits of American-made dairy products.

Members of Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) recently endorsed a larger investment in the farmer-funded self-help program, voting to enhance the membership requirement from 2 cents per hundredweight to 4 cents cwt, effective July 1 and running through Dec. 31, 2015.

An Iowa newspaper is reporting that the state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has revoked the plant permit of a dairy in Buffalo Center. An Iowa administrative judge ruled in the department’s favor.

The New York State Senate recently approved legislation co-sponsored by Sen. Tom O’Mara (R-Big Flats) to establish a “Dairy Farm Improved Energy Efficiency Loan Fund,” reported the Evening Tribune. The legislation passed the Senate on May 29, 60-1.

Recent trends show mainly increasing farm sizes and yield per cow in developed countries, according to the International Farm Comparison Network, which held its 14th IFCN Dairy Conference June 3-5 in Tekirdağ, Turkey.

Adisseo, a manufacturer of nutritional solutions for animals, recently expanded and upgraded its website and introduced its MilkPay App for Android devices. Click here to view a Progressive Dairyman feature about the MilkPay App for iPhones and iPads.