It’s been fun watching the dairy industry grow around here. While Texas isn’t the No. 1 dairy state (yet), people sure are keeping an eye on us.

Salmonella spp. infection occurs when a susceptible animal ingests the bacteria. Dairy cattle ingest feed or water that has been contaminated with feces from animals shedding the organism.

Production agriculture is unique because raising replacement animals is a normal part of day-to-day business operations and is an operating expense. The replacements are an asset on the balance sheet and for most dairies become the primary productive asset of the business.

Providing a dry, comfortable resting area for dairy cattle is essential to their heath, well being and performance. Cows typically rest 10 to 14 hours per day in five or more resting bouts.

I am learning to fly. What once was just a dream is now a reality. Here is my story as a soon-to-be aviator.

It’s a new year, and a new Progressive Dairyman magazine. You won’t recognize it until January 22, but this year you will receive an issue from us every three weeks. That’s 18 issues a year. Many have already asked, “Why the switch?”

It is well known that dairy producers face a variety of risks. These include biological factors, adverse weather, unusually large variations in both output and input prices, competition from foreign producers, as well as general fluctuations in national and world economic conditions.

Billboards posted around the country by a national restaurant chain boldly proclaim: “Get antibiotics from your doctor, not your beef.” The words are emotional, and the rhetoric is not likely to go away any time soon.

World Dairy Expo and World Ag Expo are like the Mall of America for dairy producers and dairy farmers. They are one-stop shops for all the needs of today’s dairy producer. Even smaller, regional trade shows give producers more options than a Super Wal-Mart. In addition to visiting your neighborhood dealer, who may have some of the things you need, make an effort to visit a trade show. These shows feature more products and more experts than you can find locally.

Last month Brandon Covey interviewed Randy Carpenter with the Holstein Association to get his view on the future of registered cattle. In this issue, we talk with Jason Goff, a producer with Goff Dairy in Hobbs, New Mexico, to get another perspective.