Progressive Dairy

Export data: dairy heifer exports to Russia up tenfold

April 19, 2012

Recent export data from U.S. Department of Agriculture officials highlighted the continued growth in export of dairy products and dairy heifers. Exports of dairy heifers in 2012 have increased by more than 34 percent through February when compared to the same period a year ago. Year-to-date dairy heifer exports to Russia increased dramatically, increasing almost tenfold. Through February of last year, dairy heifer exports to Russia totaled only 648 head compared to this year’s 6,390 head.

Featured dairy app video: Virtus Nutrition

April 18, 2012

Renee Smith, sales and marketing manager at Virtus Nurtition, discusses the Virtus Nutrition app with Progressive Dairyman. Smith details information about the app, including why it was developed, how it works and why it's an important tool.

Feed management for transition cows

April 18, 2012

Ellen Jordan

The transition period, from three weeks before to three weeks after calving, sets the stage for a successful lactation. As you are preparing for the summer heat, evaluate your feed management program for transition cows. Score your management from one to five in the following areas with a five for always to a one for never.

National DHIA honors Steuernagel with Outstanding Service Award

April 17, 2012

Gerald “Jerry” Steuernagel of Dresser, Wisconsin, received the National Dairy Herd Information Association’s (DHIA) Outstanding Service Award March 7, in Fort Worth, Texas, in conjunction with the association’s annual meeting. With an extensive background in dairy records processing and educating dairy producers on effectively using DHI records, Steuernagel has spent more than a decade as the Quality Certification Services (QCS) Dairy Records Processing Center (DRPC) auditor.

Renowned sire Jocko Besne dies

April 17, 2012

On March 7, famous Holstein bull Jocko Besne passed away from natural causes. He was 17 years old. Jocko, the most prodigious breeding bull in France, died at a breeding research center in Blain, Loire-atlantique, on the coast of France. Jocko was one of the most used sires across the world with 161,888 daughters recorded in 21 countries.

Two apps for dairy news, markets

April 17, 2012

Elanco Animal Health recently launched Dairy Source, which offers real-time market prices, industry news, local weather and product information. It can be downloaded for free on iPhone and Android devices. Merck Animal Health has released Dairy Market Central. The app features brief summaries of dairy commodity markets with more detailed information available by selecting the commodity.

Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan draws national attention to the rising age of farmers

April 17, 2012

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan has been crisscrossing the country, visiting college campuses to educate young people about careers in agriculture. Merrigan's efforts are spurred by the rising age of farmers in America, which is 57. (In 2002, it was 55.) Agricultural census figures show that the fastest-growing group of farmers and ranchers is the segment over 65. For every one farmer and rancher under 25, there are five who are 75 or older.

State-of-the-art dairy facility gives members' milk a home

April 17, 2012

On April 11, representatives from Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) joined officials from the city of Fallon, state of Nevada and Churchill Economic Development Authority to mark the official groundbreaking for a state-of-the-art dairy ingredient manufacturing facility in Fallon, Nevada. Nearly 150 members of the Fallon community and cooperative members, including DFA's Western Area Council, participated in the ceremony.

Fate of Maine's tier payment program uncertain

April 17, 2012

Members of Maine’s Agriculture, Forestry and Conservation Committee can’t agree on how much it costs to make milk in Maine - a key number in the state’s unique dairy stabilization program. The tier program provides a safety net for dairy farmers when the volatile price of milk drops, closing the gap between the price paid and the cost of production. Since 2007, the program has paid out $30 million to Maine’s dairy farmers.

Land O’Lakes Animal Milk Products introduces WarmFront milk replacer

April 13, 2012

Land O’Lakes Animal Milk Products introduces Cow’s Match WarmFront calf milk replacer, formulated with a unique combination of carbohydrates correctly balanced for when temperatures moderate. In warm weather conditions, calves’ energy requirements for maintenance are reduced. Transitioning to WarmFront calf milk replacer results in greater feed efficiency and bottom line potential. Cow’s Match WarmFront calf milk replacer also provides the most optimal protein-to-energy ratio milk replacer when cold stress is no longer a factor. Cow’s Match WarmFront and ColdFront calf milk replacer formulas represent a new way to approach calf nutrition. “With the introduction of WarmFront calf milk replacer, dairy producers can now offer a full potential milk replacer program formulated for the calf’s environment,” says Dr. Tom Earleywine, technical services director for Land O’Lakes Animal Milk Products.