Sometimes farm succession planning comes down to one question: Do you want the farm to continue to be a family farm or not?

Colostrum, milk and milk replacers are all excellent sources of nutrients for calves, but also for bacteria.  Jenn Bentley of Iowa State University Extension says when that abundance of nutrients is combined with moisture, you have the key elements for bacterial proliferation, which can be detrimental to your calves’ health.

If you are direct marketing your farm products and need to hear a success story, this is a story to hear.

The last few years have proven rough for even the most efficient dairy farms. Seeking federal policy changes to address those financial struggles, hundreds of dairy producers gathered over the last few months at events organized by the National Farmers Organization (NFO) and Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU), dubbed the Dairy Together Road Show.

“Over the past decade, it’s now become common to have more replacement heifers than needed. Trying to balance those numbers all the time is not a simple equation,” says Leo Timms, dairy specialist and Morrill professor at Iowa State University.

Robotics have been around for a while, but are they a good investment? Iowa State University Extension Dairy Specialist Larry Tranel has a two-word answer for that question: It depends.

Although it is common knowledge the dairy industry is tough right now, it is still possible to pursue the idea of having a dairy operation. Financial officer Ron Bula said even though cash flow can be tight, there are still opportunities for those looking to start up.

“Implementation of best management practices for transition cows will plausibly improve metabolic health, immune function and regulation of inflammation,” says Luciano Caixeta, DVM, Ph.D., and associate professor at the University of Minnesota.