Progressive Dairy

Reinford Farms’ award-winning sustainability efforts are the total package

June 6, 2018

For dairy farmers, sustainability is a package of three components, combining environmental stewardship and social benefits with profitable economics. At Reinford Farms, a depackager is helping optimize all three.

Baled manure to open options for land-starved calf-raiser

June 6, 2018

Karen Lee

J Hall started custom raising dairy calves in 1995. What began as a small venture in his backyard in Kewaunee, Wisconsin, has grown into a farm with 8,500 calves from 27 different farms and 65 full-time employees.

Three tips for adapting to change

June 6, 2018

Kelli Woodring

I live for my morning routine. I wake up, drink my coffee with extra cream and sugar, drive six and a half minutes to the farm and put on my muck boots. Next, I’ll pick a playlist based off my mood for the day and pop in my headphones. I walk down to the dry cow barn and inspect every cow. I’m looking for cows that may need birthing assistance.

Weekly Digest II: NMPF renews Cooperatives Working Together

June 6, 2018

Dave Natzke

Digest Highlights: The National Milk Producers Federation board voted to extend the CWT export assistance program for three years. Wisconsin leaders are forming a dairy task force to identify and address industry challenges. Find these and other news summaries affecting dairy farmers here.

Reducing energy consumption at Grand Valley Farms

June 6, 2018

Bev Berens

Controlling energy costs on the farm is one way to reduce input costs. But turning off lights when a space isn’t being used just isn’t enough to make a big change in that monthly power bill.

$90 million in initial round of MPP-Dairy payments processed

June 5, 2018

Dave Natzke

June Dairy Month just got a little better for many U.S. dairy producers. In addition to extending the enrollment deadline for the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) another week, USDA provided up-to-date details regarding program enrollment and payments. Bill Northey, USDA undersecretary for farm production and conservation, provided the update during a conference call on June 5.

Weekly Digest: ‘Dry’ cows mostly in the Southwest

June 5, 2018

Dave Natzke

Digest Highlights: Droughty dairy areas primarily in the Southwest. USDA reopens disaster programs. Two dairy promotion groups merge. May milk prices improve a little in federal, California orders. Find these and other news summaries affecting dairy farmers here.

Use of gene editing to introduce the polled trait into elite germplasm

June 4, 2018

Maci L. Mueller and Alison L. Van Eenennaam

Physical dehorning of dairy cattle is a standard practice to protect both human dairy workers and other animals from injury. However, it is not only costly for producers, but also painful and stressful for the animals. As a result, dehorning is currently facing increased public scrutiny as an animal welfare issue. Despite these factors, 94 percent of U.S. dairy cattle producers report routine dehorning.

MPP-Dairy enrollment deadline extended until June 8

June 4, 2018

Dave Natzke

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has approved a one-week extension for producers to sign up for the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). Producers now have until June 8 to enroll in MPP-Dairy for 2018; the original deadline was June 1.

How to treat a dehydrated calf

June 4, 2018

Karen Lee

When calves become ill, more often than not, they are also dehydrated. Hydration is an important process to help cure the calf and get the animal back on track. Veterinarian Matt Boyle, Zoetis Dairy Technical Services, provided some tips on how to hydrate calves at the Vita Plus Chick Day in August 2012. At the time, Boyle was a veterinarian at Freeport Veterinary Service in Freeport, Minnesota. First of all, treatment should depend on the condition of the calf. Click here to download a table to aid in assessment.