to jump to the article. Summary: Researchers at the Cornell Waste Management Institute analyzed six farms, all with a unique way of incorporating dried manure solids into their herds' bedding. Information provided in this article included the economic implications, the potential for spread of Johne's disease and the impact on a herd's feet and legs. Because this article was so popular, we asked Mary Schwarz of the Institute a follow-up question: Q: Why are dairy producers interested in dried manure solids in 2011? A: Dried manure solids (DMS) are of interest to dairy producers for several reasons. Sawdust, a historic bedding of choice, has been hard to come by for the past several years and can be expensive. Other options include low-quality hay, straw and sand, but each of these has an added cost. Manure, on the other hand, is never in short supply and has to be managed in some way.

Dairy owners, veterinarians, herd managers and employees play a significant day-to-day role in food safety. Antibiotic residues in milk and dairy beef are an important food safety issue, as antibiotics may cause severe allergic reactions in some people. Milk All farm bulk tank milk and tanker truck milk must be tested for evidence of antibiotic residue prior to processing, according to the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Milk found with antibiotic residues is dumped, with the dairy producer bearing the cost for the dumped milk.

Summary: In this article, Attica Veterinary Associates' Sam Leadley compares the nutrient needs of three sizes of heifers. He advises that for a 170-pound heifer to gain one pound a day in warm weather, she'll need to be eating between 3.5 and 4 pounds daily. Because this article was so popular, we asked Sam Leadley a follow-up question: Q: Why do you think this topic was of interest to producers in 2011? A: I believe most of us have fallen into the trap of “same old, same old” when it comes to feeding grain to weaned calves. What we were doing in the ’90s we kept doing the next decade as well. Why change? Heifers were alive, reasonably healthy. And who is checking on rates of gain? Underfeeding weaned heifers, primarily grain, is a silent thief. Letting these young heifers stand still or gain at a slow rate when their maintenance needs are low sets us up for having to pay for much more expensive gains later in life. When farm managers become aware of the potential profits that can be claimed by a small change in management they often want to know the details. How will size of heifer determine feeding rate? Will weather make a difference? These are down-to-earth questions that managers want answered by practical articles in Progressive Dairyman. —Sam Leadley, Calf Management Consultant, Attica Veterinary Associates [See the full list of the Top 25 articles of 2011. See the list from 2010.]

A bright future for the dairy industry has been forecasted after taking a sneak-peek at the future leaders of the dairy industry. Sixty-eight of Wisconsin’s brightest and motivated dairy students gathered to attend the 2010 PDPW Youth Leadership Derby, which was held on Nov. 6 and 7 at DeForest High School in DeForest, Wisconsin. The 24-hour lock-in gave students 15-18 years old a look at the multiple career choices in the dairy industry and what it takes to reach their goals.

The 2010 Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge was held in Batavia, New York, October 28-30. More than 110 students from 14 colleges and universities participated in the three-day event.