Farmers have been adopting no-till cropping methods to reduce sediment loss. However, tillage has been touted as a way to incorporate manure into soils to minimize nutrient loss.

Since 1970, the number of dairy farms in the U.S. has dropped by more than 93%, from more than 640,000 to around 40,000 in 2018. In an industry dominated by large organizations, smaller family farms face constant economic challenges.

You’re busy – milking cows, evaluating feed sources and taking a break to watch the dairy show at the county fair. With that in mind, Progressive Dairy looks at issues in the news impacting you and your dairy business.

U.S. dairy farmers have been struggling with suppressed milk prices for nearly four years. The first part of 2019 has been better, but improved milk prices have been overshadowed by tariff and trade issues, extremely wet weather in much of the country and the length of time milk prices have been low.

Five years ago, I wrote an article for this magazine on mailbox milk prices. Since that article, much has happened in the dairy industry, especially with milk prices. Now it is time to take another look and see what mailbox prices tell us.

The extended economic stress in the dairy industry has farm managers taking a close look at all aspects of their operations to find areas to decrease costs, increase productivity and, ultimately, improve profitability.

Whether the dairy is a smaller operation, with the family all pitching in on whatever job needs doing, or a large operation with round-the-clock specialized crews, effective teamwork is crucial to performance. Just like a successful sports team, effective teamwork – under the right leadership – can prime your dairy for success.

Ninety-four percent of dairy farmers agree that low somatic cell and low bacteria counts are part of the definition of milk quality. That’s according to a recent online survey conducted by Progressive Dairy.

For 10 years now, the interdependent crossbred calf system put into place between Riverview Dairy and Wulf Cattle, home to Limousin genetic seedstock, “seems to be working,” spokesperson Lauren Osborn said during her presentation at the 2019 New York Beef Producers’ Association Annual Winter Conference.