People need real challenges in life, especially young people; they need to learn to press on even when the going is extremely difficult.

And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Not too long ago in this column, we discussed some of the different ways we cut metal in and around our farm shops; therefore, I thought it reasonable we talk about some of the ways to repair metal that either was cut by accident or broke outright on its own.

It is no secret farming is a difficult enterprise. Present economic and political conditions have made it even more challenging, particularly in the dairy industry.

When I returned to my family farm a couple years ago, my mother gladly gave up her role of managing employees. Since I had the opportunity to work off the farm for several years, I thought I knew what to do. I mean, I was a new hire myself in a new place with no previous experience.

Finally, one in the win column for dairy farmers. The FDA has decided to restrict products like soy, rice, almond, oats and even hemp from calling themselves milk. Hopefully soon, they’ll quit calling tofu bacon and taxes a privilege.

“When you have happy and healthy cows, your employees also will be happy,” Conny van Bedaf, co-owner of VanBedaf Dairy LLP, says. “It also works the other way around. If you have happy employees, they will be able to keep your cows happy and healthy.”

A.I. and good bulls are where it’s at to build a good herd of cows, says Norman Martin, owner of Martin Dairy LLC in Tillamook, Oregon. To date, the dairy is the highest genetically ranked Jersey herd in the U.S.

Gypsum recycled from manufacturing and construction waste has gained popularity as a bedding source for the dairy industry. Its proponents cite affordability, increased moisture absorption, low bacteria growth and soil benefits as reasons for its use.

As a dairy producer, ensuring your calves have the best start to life begins before the calf is born. The care and nutrition you provide the cow while its calf is in utero can set that calf up for life.