The economic health of America’s dairy sector has been among the most significant issues on the NAFTA negotiating table during the past year, as the U.S. government presses Canada and Mexico to revise the terms of the 25-year-old free trade agreement.

Progressive Dairyman recently introduced readers to our group of editorial advisers for 2018 (See “Meet Progressive Dairyman’s 2018 reader advisers,” Jan. 19, 2018 issue. 

Installing a new milking system of any kind is a significant investment. As more farms install automated milking systems, various methods are used to measure profitability.

Once again, a federal court has issued an opinion regarding the constitutionality of a farm protection (frequently called “ag gag”) statute. This time, it was the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which upheld part – and struck down part – of Idaho’s “Interference with Agricultural Production” law.

Recruitment and selection are not the fondest areas of work for most dairy farm managers, leaders and owners. It, therefore, is important to productively focus your energies. To better understand the importance of focus, we start with a discussion of the circles of concern and influence.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law on December 22, 2017, is the largest overhaul of U.S. tax code in 30 years. Most of the tax-cut provisions are effective immediately for tax year 2018. However, many are temporary and scheduled to sunset or phase out in future years, if no further congressional action is taken.

The transition period for a dairy cow has traditionally been defined by the dairy industry as the period three weeks pre-calving to three weeks post-calving. An expanded period including the entire dry period, i.e., 60 days pre-calving to 30 days post-calving, more completely encompasses the actual period when physiological and nutritional adjustments result in a successful subsequent lactation.

In mysteries, the culprit sneaks in. There’s no sign that the safe was broken into – until the money is missing.

Last spring, a trial at Cornell University tested a calcium binder’s efficiency at averting the drop in blood calcium levels at calving and preventing hypocalcemia.

Fresh cows are the most vulnerable animals in your operation. Giving them a good start after calving profoundly impacts both short-term and long-term herd profits.