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Don Austin is a grazier who is not afraid to try new things.
Austin, who farms near Platteville, Wisconsin, enjoys experimenting to find out what works best on his farm.
Many things within your control can impact the quality and quantity of your alfalfa, according to Brian Lang of Iowa State University Extension. Lang presented several ways to improve alfalfa production during the 2015 Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Days.
Two things every farmer should know about his or her farm business are cash flow and profitability, says Paul Dietmann, emerging markets specialist for Badgerland Financial.
He defines cash flow as, “The ability of the farm to generate enough cash to cover all expenses and loan payments, pay for family living costs and income taxes, and have enough cash left for re-investment in the farm and to put some in savings.”
Doug and Tom Block have learned many lessons while managing their family operation, Hunter Haven Farms near Pearl City, Illinois.
Doug shared what makes their farm successful at the 4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference held earlier this year in Dubuque, Iowa.
Research has shown that ketosis affects 40 to 60 percent of dairy cows, with an average cost of $289 per case. Now, dairy producers have a new management tool available to estimate herd-level ketosis prevalence using their monthly DHI test-day milk samples.
As the size of farms increase and the need for employees grows, many dairy producers who have never themselves worked for anyone are now finding themselves in charge of employees.
Melissa O’Rourke, farm and agribusiness management specialist for Iowa State University Extension, presented “Getting the New Dairy Farm Employee Off to a Good Start on Day One” at the 2014 World Dairy Expo.
Winter in Iowa can be brutal, with bitter temperatures, strong winds and lots of snow. The cows on Dan and Bonnie Beard’s farm handle the harsh season just fine even though they are housed outside all winter long.
“The secret is to give them enough area that they can always find a place that is protected so they are comfortable,” Dan says.
Conventional and organic dairy producers are seeking ways to add value to their product, and there is a growing consumer movement toward healthier foods. Adding flaxseed to a dairy cow’s diet may be a way to meet both those desires, according to André Fonseca de Brito.
Brito is a veterinarian, Ph.D. and assistant professor of organic dairy management at the University of New Hampshire.
