In this Progressive Dairy sponsorcast, listen in as Merck Animal Health Customer Success Specialist Sarah Anderson and Merck Animal Health Senior Application Specialist Evan Platte discuss the many herd health and cost-saving benefits these novel technologies provide and how producers can get the most out of them.

Every family has their own quirky ways to pass the time. In my circle, one of our favorites is a simple game that usually results in a heated debate: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? The answers usually vary – pizza, steak (specifically, a perfectly cooked medium rare filet mignon), crispy fries or even dill pickles – but my dad had a more serious and considerate response that made me pause: milk.

In a quiet corner of Minnesota, in a home bursting at the seams, lives the Guinness World Record holder for the largest collection of cow-related items. What began as a simple admiration for dairy cows has transformed into a one-of-a-kind collection that spans over 21,805 unique items and fills every room of Ruth Klossner’s house.

Over the years, there have been significant changes in the way milk is stored, preserved and consumed. Since its development in the 19th century, the method of preserving milk by evaporating and storing it in sealed containers has grown into a large-scale industry. In this article we delve into the realm of concentrated milk, covering everything you need to know about the milk type, from basics to types and benefits.

In this episode, learn from National Mastitis Council president and director of Udder Health Systems Justine Britten as she and host Matti McBride discuss innovations that have changed how milk quality is managed on dairies, common problems in parlors, tips for sampling milk for mastitis cultures and more.

Dairies have long been navigating complex challenges that make it difficult to lean into forward-looking innovations. But certain cutting-edge solutions have the ability to address numerous priority areas all at once and simultaneously yield a substantial return on investment. Chief among these are milk chilling systems that replace synthetic chemical-based refrigerants with naturally occurring, readily available carbon dioxide (CO₂) or R744, its refrigerant-grade version.

I asked ChatGPT whether farmers should upgrade their automated milking systems. The artificial intelligence (AI) answer was, “If the current system is outdated and requires frequent repairs; if newer technology offers clear efficiency, milk yield or labor savings; if financing options make the investment viable.” Those are good answers. I talked to several real farmers and got better answers.

Staying ahead of seasonal challenges with a proactive feeding program can significantly minimize silage spoilage risks and maximize herd performance and efficiency. By adopting a clean feed approach – through managing the ensiling and feeding of silage, implementing hygienic on-farm practices and ensuring the right nutrition – producers provide their herd with the best opportunity for a high-quality clean feed source and the ability to efficiently produce high-quality milk.