Are you milking your cows efficiently while optimizing milk yield and milk quality? The goal in any milking routine is to synchronize timing between milk letdown and unit attachment. Units should be calmly attached to clean, dry teats.

Like other technologies and practices, dairy producers face increasing pressures regarding antibiotic use from consumers and regulators. Dr. Brian Lubbers, DVM, Ph.D., believes producers must embrace “antibiotic stewardship” to ward off even greater antimicrobial restrictions.

You don’t earn a name like the “Udder Doctor” without knowing a thing or two about the inner workings of the mammary system. Dr. Andy Johnson, based in Seymour, Wisconsin, has 40 years of experience as a veterinarian and has served as a dairy consultant across the U.S. and in 26 countries.

The calves you are raising today represent the future of your herd. “It takes a community to raise a child.” The same holds true for raising a calf.

Here I sit in the middle of January, with my goals and ambitions staring me in the face. Change is one of those tricky monsters, wielding a double-edged pen that plainly writes in bold print, “If you don’t choose to make the changes you want, life will change you into what you don’t want.”

I don’t believe there is any place colder than a large metal building on a cold, windy day. If they are oriented incorrectly to form a wind tunnel … oh my goodness, they are frigid. As we get older, our ability to keep warm diminishes, so keeping the farm shop warm on these chilly days helps us to not only be warm but also work more safely.

He knows your heart, your mind and your struggle. He knows what you need and when you need it. He has walked this earth and dealt with every emotion known to man and, because of that, He knows.

“I would like a wurst,” I said in German. The vendor’s face immediately changed. She now scowled. She pointed at the register and held up two fingers. I gave her a two-euro coin. She didn’t say thank you.

There is a large movement today trying to educate people to be more aware of where their food comes from – as opposed to the movement people have where their food ends up. This has never been a problem for those of us in the farming community.

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) today announced that former U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will join the organization as president and CEO, effective Feb. 1, 2017. USDEC is a nonprofit, independent organization that seeks to enhance the global demand for U.S. dairy products and ingredients.