Angel A. Aguilar, Ph.D. Martinsville, Indiana Technical Services – Dairy Specialist Lallemand Animal Nutrition

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the practice of tail docking in the dairy industry began in the early 1900s in New Zealand as a method to reduce the incidence of leptospirosis in milking personnel. It continued as producers cited a variety of benefits, such as improved comfort for milkers and animal handlers, enhanced cow and udder cleanliness, reduced incidence of mastitis and improved milk quality. The most commonly used method for docking tails in dairy cattle is the use of elastrator bands. Usually performed on pre-fresh heifers or calves near weaning, the elastrator band is applied to remove one-third to two-thirds of the tail. Other methods of docking include using a cauterizing docking iron, use of emasculators and surgical excision.

I recently read an interesting blog post about how bees manage their time and resources. The author Michael O’Malley’s main point is that: “Honeybees have institutionalized procedures that prevent catastrophic loss, and their record of accomplishment is stunning: more than 100 years of productivity and growth.” (Click here to see the blog)

It is amazing how much the current and future outlook for dairy production has changed since I last penned an article for Progressive Dairyman in June. At that point, experts were forecasting a record crop and producers’ attention was focused on where the milk price might be for the rest of 2012 and into 2013. As I write this, we now are wondering just how small the crop might be. By the time you read this, we will know with much more certainty what to expect corn and bean yields to be once they are harvested.

Have you ever wondered if you were saving money in the most tax-efficient way? People like to talk about asset allocation (the mix of stocks and bonds in your investment portfolio), but few ever talk about asset location. Asset allocation is important to a client’s portfolio – but just as important is what type of account those assets are in. The reason for this is taxation. How are accounts like IRAs, 401(k)s, SIMPLEs, SEPs, pensions and profit-sharing taxed differently than life insurance, Roth 401(k)s and Roth IRAs?

Do you remember the “tree interview” that Barbara Walters did with Katharine Hepburn back in the early ’80s? She asked her, “If you were a tree, what kind of a tree would you be?” In all fairness to Walters, her question was a follow-up to Hepburn’s comment that she was “like a tree.” As odd as that whole conversation was, it actually might not be all that crazy. Now just wait ... allow me to explain!