Milk and dairy products made from grass-fed cows are hitting grocery store shelves. Adding a grazing component is not only a consumer-friendly approach, it is also a viable economic one for many dairy farmers today.

One hundred percent grass-fed milk is a relatively new – or at least re-emerging – focus for dairy farmers in the U.S. Unlike certified organic dairy practices, no grain is allowed to be fed, so these cows make milk from pasture alone.

When dairy farming is based on grazing, a necessary focus on managing pastures to optimize forage nutrients for cow health and productivity emerges.

According to economic data gathered from 60 Maryland dairies between 1995-2009, grazing dairies posted a higher per-cow profit than confinement dairies – $156 more per cow. The farms surveyed included 20 grazing-based and 40 confined-milking herds.

Whether the dairy is a smaller operation, with the family all pitching in on whatever job needs doing, or a large operation with round-the-clock specialized crews, effective teamwork is crucial to performance. Just like a successful sports team, effective teamwork – under the right leadership – can prime your dairy for success.

For 10 years now, the interdependent crossbred calf system put into place between Riverview Dairy and Wulf Cattle, home to Limousin genetic seedstock, “seems to be working,” spokesperson Lauren Osborn said during her presentation at the 2019 New York Beef Producers’ Association Annual Winter Conference.

The crossbred beef market doesn’t yet have a clear identity in the Northeast. Producers – both beef and dairy – who are early adapters are seeing some success in the markets, and the potential to develop a thriving crossbred beef industry in the region is high.

When there’s conflict at work, the manner in which it is handled and resolved affects both the individuals involved and the organization itself. Whether the tension is between co-workers, managerial staff and laborers, or owners and employees, improperly managed conflict can cause disagreements, disputes and even litigation.

The Dairy and Functional Food Research Unit of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service had planned on determining whether or not milk processing affects the functional properties of A2 beta casein in milk. That study never happened, which may have been due at least in part to the recent government shutdown, Dr. Peggy Tomasula, the research leader, told participants at the 2019 Northeast Pasture Consortium conference. 

As your operation grows, so does your need for equipment. And with that equipment comes maintenance and repair costs.