Jennifer Silverberg PhotographyFeatured photographerSaint Louis, Missouri

America’s dairy producers are an important part of our rural communities and local economies. Dairy farmers established the Professional Dairy Producers Foundation to ensure our dairy farms remain viable and socially responsible for generations to come.

For the dairy industry, and me personally, the end of calendar year 2017 was a rugged stretch. With the release of the latest dairy undercover video just before the Christmas holiday, there were six separate videos released since the middle of November.

New natural disinfectant product treats digital dermatitis topically or in footbaths A new product made with natural oils derived from thyme can replace the formaldehyde or copper sulfate used in footbaths without affecting treatment rates for digital dermatitis. That’s what Environmental Technologies Inc. suggests is possible with its new product, Thymox, introduced to the market last year.

The transition of a farm can make or break not only the future of a business, but also the relationships among family members involved. A banker, an attorney and an accountant recently shared their advice on how to minimize drama when dealing with the transfer of farm assets.

Progressive Dairyman thanks the following readers for their willingness to serve on its advisory board. Reader advisers provide ongoing feedback about the content in the magazine and generate ideas for future content. These dairy owners will also be featured in roundtable discussion articles throughout the remainder of the year. 

As consumers become more health-focused, the food industry has embraced the opportunity to meet their increasing needs. Most notably, “transparency” has become more prominent within the beef, chicken, pork and dairy industries.

There have been many different programs developed over the years targeting improved udder health and the production of high-quality milk. Some of the programs have been around for a while and others, which had soft funding sources (e.g., state budgets), have come and gone.

Happy 2018! It is nearly one month into the new year, and it may be time to adjust or redefine your resolutions to turn them into reality over the next 11 months. It is never too late to set new goals and intentions for the year, and it is important to remember that successful goals continue to evolve over time.