Consumers today have been duped. Not by dairy farmers, but by the alternative, fake milk marketers. Alternative milks have been propped up as being healthy alternatives to milk, and they’re labeled with claims like “dairy-free,” “fat-free,” etc., as if these are healthy claims.

The August U.S. average milk-income-over-feed-cost margin jumped to the highest level since last November, meaning there will be no Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) indemnity payments for the July-August pay period.

In the last few years, a number of automatic teat dipping and spraying technologies have been introduced to the dairy industry. In the midst of the early adoption phase, Progressive Dairyman reached out to several manufacturers or marketers of this equipment to learn what is attracting the initial purchasers as well as what might be holding some interested parties back.

Be sure to read the cover story of our Oct. 1 issue, which features Bradley Biehl and his dairy operation, Corner View Farm. The farm has been hailed as one of the smartest and most automated in the country. View photos of his operation below. Photos by Sherry Bunting.

Brad Biehl’s bedding robot is smart. But then so is his autonomous feed pusher, robotic milker, automated calf feeder and other robots.

It started with a press release from the USDA titled “USDA Announces Safety Net Assistance for Milk Producers Due to Tightening Dairy Margins.”

Did you know? Cows have the ability to recognize these basic tastes: New research from Penn State University found cows do like some flavors more than others.

The volume of natural cheese in cold storage has attracted a great deal of scrutiny in recent months, garnering attention among industry and political leaders, on social media and late-night talk shows. Cited as a reason for lower milk prices, it also prompted the USDA to announce it would purchase about 11 million pounds of cheese for food banks and feeding programs.

This is a very pivotal time for U.S. dairy. People want to know more about the foods they eat. We have a great story to share – but only if we seize the opportunity to connect consumers with dairy farmers and the broader industry and do so with full transparency.

About 100 women arrived at Legacy Farms in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, for the Vita Plus Chick Day on Friday, Aug. 19. After the rain clouds parted, the day began with a short history of the farm.