Progressive Dairy

The ‘right’ alfalfa-to-corn-silage ratio

When deciding how to meet your operation’s needs and goals, seek input to explore available options and determine the most profitable strategy for your total mixed ration.

September 29, 2025

Jarrod Blackburn

As dairy producers evaluate the economic, agronomic and nutritional demands on their farms, they ask, “How can I make best use of my acreage for the greatest return on investment?” That question challenges farm consultants to rethink traditional approaches.

Real Producer Exchange Episode 2: Rob and Adrian Diepersloot

September 27, 2025

Walt Cooley

Brothers and business partners Rob and Adrian Diepersloot were the most recent dairy producer guests on the Real Producer Exchange. Read more about their multiple operations in California and Colorado and their consumer-packaged goods company, WonderCow.

Checkoff Watch: Checkoff-led playbook unifies industry for health, wellness growth

September 26, 2025

Health and wellness is no longer just a trend – it is a $450 billion priority shaping how Americans eat, live and shop. From parents checking labels to fitness enthusiasts looking for performance support, more people are turning to food-first approaches to meet their wellness goals.

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The 5 C’s of motivation: How to inspire your team

Control, certainty, connection, clout and consistency can make the difference between employees who are motivated to succeed and those who are not.

September 26, 2025

Tim Schaefer

I’ve worked with dairies across the country, and one truth keeps surfacing: Motivated teams have healthier cows, solve more problems and stick around longer. Let's look at the 5 C’s of motivation: control, certainty, connection, clout and consistency – with examples straight from the barn.

[Podcast] Carbon Footprint Neutralizer

September 25, 2025

Posilac has impact on carbon footprint reduction.

Modified-live versus killed vaccines: What are the differences?

The risk for disease in cattle depends on many factors. How a vaccine is selected depends on factors that include what organism we wish to vaccinate against.

September 25, 2025

Richard Linhart

Cattle vaccines are generally available in one of two different forms, either modified-live or attenuated products, or killed or inactivated products. Each type of vaccine has its unique properties, advantages and disadvantages, and its place in a herd health program.

What’s the biology of feeding the preweaned calf?

Autofeeders certainly have advantages in terms of housing, public perception and their ability to more closely mimic a calf’s natural feeding behavior. However, they are not the only option.

September 25, 2025

Robert James

There has been an increased incentive to feed the preweaned calf more milk to improve growth, feed efficiency and in many cases, health as compared to our traditional practice of limit feeding milk to stimulate rumen development and early weaning.

August milk production higher as cow numbers increase

August U.S. milk production increased from July and is up about 3.2% from USDA’s estimates a year earlier.

September 24, 2025

Audrey Schmitz

Nineteen states including Idaho, Texas and Kansas boosted milk production a combined 654 million pounds in August.

Managing capital purchases: When to repair or replace

Guidelines to assist in determining whether to replace or repair equipment.

September 24, 2025

Matt Lange

In some cases it is better to repair farm equipment and other times it is better to replace. Knowing when to take action on one versus the other is also part of a bigger strategy for managing your dairy operation.

Battling Klebsiella: Tools to keep in your toolbox

A review on Klebsiella: How, where and why it infects your cows and best methods of prevention.

September 24, 2025

Derek Nolan

Klebsiella is a difficult bacteria to deal with because infections can come on quickly without warning and have the potential to be fatal. Understanding how it spreads and how to prevent it is important for protecting herd health.