U.S. milk production momentum pushed through the final month of 2016, gaining strength from more cows and greater milk output per cow.

Most people don’t have fairy godmothers or genies to make their wishes come true. We mortals have to rely on each other to help dreams come true. Katie Grinstead, co-owner of Vir-Clar Farms, a 2,000-cow dairy near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fulfill one man’s once-in-a-lifetime wish.

Two years ago, Zach Short went out to bring in the harvest on his family farm near Salina, Kansas. What started out as a normal day quickly turned into a disaster no one in his family would ever forget.

U.S. Senate leaders named members from their respective political parties to serve on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry during the 115th Congress. In all, 11 of 21 Senate members named to the committee come from “major” dairy states.

Separate proposals to create a national organic research and promotion program and provide consistency to federal organic livestock production standards have been introduced.

With milk prices slumping last October, average U.S. dairy replacement cow prices trended lower for a fifth consecutive quarter. However, foreign markets are showing increased interest in U.S. dairy genetics, and that demand could change price trends.

I saw a post on social media the other day that said, “OK, Christmas is over. I’m ready for summer.” That got me wondering if post-holiday depression is a real thing (spoiler: it is), and how many people it affects. According to Psych Central, a leading mental health website, as many as 25 percent of Americans suffer from depression, ranging in severity, after the holidays.

First-generation dairyman Brent Copenhaver bought his first 60 cows 10 years ago, and a decade later, sound financial choices have helped him to successfully purchase his own farm and grow his operation.

Kentucky farm widow spends 30 years dairy farming soloPublished: Dec. 16, 2016 enewsletter Editor’s note: Read on for new comments online at Progressive Dairyman. Visit the site today to ask a question on any article or leave a comment for the author.

See a need: In 2014, dairy producers and industry partners identified “soft skills” as a top consideration when hiring and developing new employees. However, they felt communication and leadership skills were seriously lacking in emerging dairy leaders.