Twenty-eight years ago, Charles Owen, a horse farrier by training, began his amazing journey to unlock the mystery of laminitis. Starting with an idea of how laminitis originated, Owen spent the next 17 years researching his theory and another 11 years testing it.

Whenever farmers get sick, have a fever or sprain an ankle, there are countless options of aspirin or ibuprofen to take for pain relief. However, when a dairy farmer’s animal experiences pain through disease or injury, the options are extremely limited.

Progressive Dairyman invited several prominent companies and organizations to discuss the current state of antimicrobial drug use on dairy farms. Those contacted said most producers do an exceptional job; this roundtable highlights areas to further perfect.

CompaniesNeogen – Pat Frasco, Director of Milling and GrainLallemand Animal Nutrition – Tony Hall, Technical Services – RuminantBiomin America Inc. – Paige Gott, Ruminant Technical ManagerAlltech – Max Hawkins, Alltech Mycotoxin Management Nutritionist

Last spring, a trial at Cornell University tested a calcium binder’s efficiency at averting the drop in blood calcium levels at calving and preventing hypocalcemia.

Giving up the warmer weather of Tulare, California, dairy farmer JJ Nunes and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs tackled a five-part challenge course to win the Land O’Lakes Farm Bowl trophy on Feb. 1, 2018. Before the final challenge, these two teammates felt they had a good shot at the title. 

In a meeting of football and farming, Minnesota dairy farmers from across the state served as ambassadors at Midwest Dairy’s Fuel Up to Play 60 booth. All week long, more than 60 dairy farmers shared their stories at the 2018 Super Bowl Experience event from Jan. 27 to Feb. 3 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. 

Successful business people and achievers in all fields set goals. Setting goals gives us long-term vision and short-term motivation. The short-term goals we set for ourselves allow us to stay on track toward achieving our long-term dreams and visions.

Monthly test-day somatic cell count (SCC) reports from the Dairy Herd Improvement system have been used for decades to manage bulk tank SCC or decide which cows to cull from the herd.

Although somatic cell counts (SCC) have long been used as an indicator of udder health and milk quality, several common myths and misunderstandings remain. Dr. David Kelton, veterinary epidemiologist and professor at the University of Guelph, dispelled some of those myths at the American Association of Bovine Practitioners 50th Annual Conference, Sept. 14-16, 2017.