Dairy farm management reaches across several areas on the farm, leaving dairy producers to manage not only cows, crops and markets but also quite possibly the greatest asset on the farm: people.

It has been estimated that economic losses related to heat stress in production animals could account for as much as $900 million annually. With this type of financial loss, it is not surprising that dairy producers and their consultants are continually trying to incorporate strategies and management techniques to minimize the negative effects of heat stress.

The only constant is change – and how dairy farmers handle change is critical to the future success of their operations. Whether change is seen as good or bad, it always presents opportunities. The question is: Will you capitalize on them?

It was just another day in the barn. My company included the calves, my husband and my three boys. We went about chores, enjoyed some quality time together and got some extra jobs done. The nutritionist and A.I. technician stopped in. The day was full – yet something felt like it was missing.

We froze when we heard the screaming. My girlfriend’s father had gone ahead to bring the car around while she, her mother and I waited by the door of the restaurant. He shrieked as if in the greatest pain of his life. The women ran toward him.

I’ve never read an instruction manual or how-to book in my life, but somehow people keep giving me their broken stuff – and this perplexes me. Even if it were working, why would I want it?

Reproductive efficiency on a dairy is an important factor in overall profitability, and a sizable amount of labor is involved in the synchronization or estrus detection and insemination of cows and heifers. That is why an open cow at pregnancy check is so frustrating.

U.S. average milk production costs are the lowest since 2010, but so are milk prices. Commodity prices are impacting land values and credit conditions in the Southwest. Organic Valley cooperative reported an average milk pay price of $36.79 per hundredweight in 2015. This and other U.S. dairy economic news can be found here.

USDA’s April World Ag Supply & Demand Estimates (WASDE) report raised 2016 U.S. milk production and marketing estimates slightly, but left projected milk prices mostly unchanged.

Freestall barn design really does matter. If anyone has doubts, dairyman Russ Kelly of Glenvue Farms in Fultonville, New York, can help clarify the results of moving his cows into a freestall facility designed with their needs in mind.