Progressive Dairy

Calf vaccinations: You won’t find all the answers in a bottle

Focused cow and calf vaccinations, quality colostrum and herd-specific programs improve calf health.

May 12, 2025

A vaccination program is one part of a comprehensive disease control and prevention program. However, keeping pathogens from entering the herd is always preferred over protection that comes in a bottle.

Reproductive road map: Leveraging data as your dairy’s GPS

Herd management software acts like a GPS for your dairy, delivering real-time data to guide reproductive decisions, boost efficiency and drive profitability.

May 9, 2025

Robert Heintz

Managing your reproduction program is complex, with many moving parts, but your herd management software can simplify the process. Just as a GPS helps you reach your destination without unnecessary detours, utilizing your herd management software to its fullest potential enables you to achieve your goals without costly missteps or delays.

Milk quality audits: The key to healthier cows and consistent milk checks

Milk quality audits are crucial for improving dairy farm operations by identifying key areas in cows, equipment and personnel that can enhance milk quality, reduce costly issues such as mastitis and ultimately boost profitability.

May 9, 2025

Angela Kinney

A farm audit is more than just a compliance check; it’s a proactive tool to improve animal welfare, maximize milk premiums and reduce costly issues such as mastitis and bacterial contamination of the bulk tank.

Economic Update: U.S., U.K. reach trade deal that increases access for American farmers

May 8, 2025

Karen Lee

In the news affecting dairy producers' bottom lines in early May 2025: U.S., U.K. reach trade deal that increases access for American farmers, producer sentiment improves on long-term optimism, and the GDT index continues to climb.

3 Open Minutes with Shawna Nelson

May 8, 2025

Kimmi Devaney

Organic Valley recently named Shawna Nelson as its new CEO. Progressive Dairy Editor Kimmi Devaney interviewed Nelson to learn about her background, vision for the cooperative and current state of the organic dairy sector.

Detection, prevention and treatment of lameness

Spring weather conditions heighten the risk of lameness in dairy cows. Use traditional best management practices and new tools to detect and respond early.

May 8, 2025

Alvaro Garcia

Spring often brings heavy rains and melting snow, especially in regions of the Northern Hemisphere, creating humid conditions that can significantly increase the risk of lameness in dairy cows. Maintaining hoof health through regular trimming and the use of footbaths is essential. Noninvasive tools like 3D camera systems have also transformed how producers detect and respond early to these health issues.

May 7, 2025 Progressive Dairy digital magazine

May 7, 2025

The latest issue of Progressive Dairy magazine is available. To view, make sure you're logged into your agproud.com account. If you do not have access, click "Subscribe" in the top-right corner of agproud.com to add permission to view.

Building community: It’s OK to be vulnerable

May 7, 2025

Jenna Hurty-Person

For me, acts of service have always been one of the main ways I show my friends and family I care. It makes me happy to make their lives easier. However, I often struggle to receive it from others. I don’t like feeling vulnerable. I never saw this as an issue until recently, when it was pointed out that in refusing to allow my friends and family to help me when I needed it, I was also denying them the joy of helping me. Not being willing to accept help can also feel isolating.

Faber's Food for Thought: Cow feet and chewing tobacco

May 7, 2025

Dwayne Faber

There are several things that just completely mesmerize us as humans. One is the way the campfire dances on a starry night as it licks the wood and dances all around it. Another is the way we can watch a hoof trimmer slice away trimmings on a hoof to reveal either a clean hoof or something more exciting.

Lifelong Learning: Nurture the seeds of greatness for continual growth

May 7, 2025

Another growing season is about to begin. For many of us, the sight of new plants emerging from the soil after a long winter instills within us a renewed hope.