Most federal tax reform changes signed into law under H.R. 1 went into effect Jan. 1, 2018, meaning they will impact tax returns filed in 2019. However, dairy farmers need to understand how the law is impacting them early in 2018 so they can make good business decisions and plan accordingly in the months ahead.

Most dairies I work with utilize dairy software to help organize daily activities such as what cows to breed, treat, etc. While this can be extremely helpful in staying organized, what can make data even more valuable to a dairy is its ability to help us solve mysteries.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with and provide technical support to numerous dairies here in the U.S. and internationally. One of the most common questions asked pertains to feeding fats, fat sources and the hoped-for effects on milk volume, components and reproduction.

Forage and fiber in the diets of dairy cows is critical for their optimal health and milk production. How the fiber in forages ferments, digests and is metabolized is an ongoing subject of discussion and research.

Is your herd’s milk production being maximized? Is lactation performance being limited by a nutrient deficiency such as an amino acid deficiency? The potential for milk production is driven by energy. Yet the efficient use of energy is dependent upon adequate supply of amino acids.

Many of today’s dairy farms have become larger, often without increasing their labor force. The management systems successful on a smaller dairy will frequently evolve into a system no longer best for the cow.

Feed represents more than half of a typical dairy’s operating costs. When milk prices decline, cutting feed costs is often a tempting first strategy for producers and their nutrition consultants. However, when it comes to nutrition management, short-term cost cutting may lead to long-term and expensive consequences.

Giving up the warmer weather of Tulare, California, dairy farmer JJ Nunes and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs tackled a five-part challenge course to win the Land O’Lakes Farm Bowl trophy on Feb. 1, 2018. Before the final challenge, these two teammates felt they had a good shot at the title. 

Low milk prices can have a real impact on dairy farmers. When this occurs, cash becomes short and farmers have to make some tough decisions. They start to look for ways to reduce expenses while also maintaining milk production.

In a meeting of football and farming, Minnesota dairy farmers from across the state served as ambassadors at Midwest Dairy’s Fuel Up to Play 60 booth. All week long, more than 60 dairy farmers shared their stories at the 2018 Super Bowl Experience event from Jan. 27 to Feb. 3 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.