The spring of 2012 started out early in the Midwest U.S., with warm temperatures in March and into April, but then quickly cooled off. Late-season frost events left us questioning whether the alfalfa crop could survive spring. The crop survived and we transitioned into a drought among the most severe the U.S. has seen in decades, stressing most crops and regions – and yielding some very different and interesting forage results.

Every year about this time, I inevitably get asked the following or similar question: “Should I buy that truck this year to save taxes?” The answer to this question is almost always: “It depends.” The idea behind this tax planning strategy is fairly simple – buy business equipment or other depreciable property before the end of the year, rather than next year, and get up to 100 percent expensing to offset business income for this year. The trick is making sure the equipment is something the business really needs and not just a way to reduce taxes. It is never a good idea to let the tax code make business decisions but, if asset purchases are planned in the next six to 12 months, it is worth looking to see if accelerating these purchases makes sense.

Many factors on dairy farms will affect cattle fertility, and facilities are yet another to consider. Production and reproduction objectives, as well as management program style, must be reflected upon from the initial facility design for any dairy. Functional facilities will have a long-lasting and rewarding impact on an operation as a whole. This article’s goal is not to give technical recommendations for building but rather to highlight crucial elements of a building’s design to consider from the reproductive standpoint.

Inbreeding continues to receive increasing attention on progressive dairy operations – and appropriately so. As profit margins continue to narrow, dairy producers are looking for alternative ways to sustain maximum profits while minimizing their inputs.

Neonatal calf loss within 48 hours of calving is re-emerging as a major issue for producers. Recent studies show an increase in calf losses, particularly in heifers, in dairy industries internationally. The problem is particularly important in Holsteins as they are the most widely used dairy breed globally.

Cow comfort plays a critical role in your herd’s reproductive management. Comfortable cows are less stressed, making them healthier, which drives up pregnancy rates. That’s why when you focus on cow comfort, your returns are more than just happier cows … Comfortable cows are profitable cows. Your herd grouping strategy can have an influence on reproductive performance, with transition cow strategies rightfully getting the most attention. These cows are your herd’s most important group. A good transition cow grouping strategy should promote dry matter intake (DMI) and reduce stress as much as possible.

Once again the gold, scarlet and orange leaves flutter to the ground, leaving the trees stark and bare against the blue sky. The dates on the calendar fly as quickly as the hour changes on a digital clock.

Machines – no farm or ranch can function without them. They save valuable time and are essential to agricultural productivity. They also represent an ever-present danger to the people who operate them. Machines are designed to use power, torque, motion and energy to perform work. They may be powered by power take-off drivelines, hydraulic oil pressure, electrical motors, internal combustion engines or ground traction. Regardless of how machines are powered, they present a number of hazards to those working around them.