The spirit of silage season remains, and I see it every year in the way dairy farm families and neighbors come together – just like we did on our farm when I was a kid. Silage chopping has always been more than just a week of hard work, it’s a community effort and the foundation for high-quality feed that keeps our cows fed year-round.

Cull cow slaughter rates increase despite a smaller dairy herd and increased demand and prices for dairy cow replacements.

Nineteen states including California, Texas and Kansas boosted milk production a combined 598 million pounds in July.

Calf-raising systems are not necessarily one-size-fits-all. Not all raisers face the same challenges. Each operation has different approaches – from feeding methods (bottles, buckets or auto feeders), to housing strategies (group settings or individual pens), to the choice between whole milk or milk replacer – the differences are many. Despite contrasts in styles, calf raisers seek many of the same answers in their pursuit of excellence.

In the news affecting dairy producers' bottom lines the third week of August 2025: The September Class I base milk price falls 23 cents, U.S.-EU trade agreement makes progress for dairy, GDT index down slightly, family-owned farms account for 95% of U.S. farms, and the USDA blocks taxpayer dollars for solar panels on prime farmland.

Many farmers who have implemented automated calf feeders (autofeeders) describe the process as a steep learning curve followed by fine-tuning and the occasional mechanical or health hiccup. This article highlights focus areas that can help calf managers mitigate challenges with autofeeders.