What essential skill do military veterans have that dairy farmers need? Flexibility, according to two retired army officers – one now a grazing mentor and the other his apprentice.

“I will contend that we now know more than ever what causes lameness, and while we still have more to learn, we know enough currently to solve the global lameness problem in our dairy industry,” Dr. Nigel B. Cook of the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Veterinary Medicine says.

Lameness is a highly visible and important animal welfare issue, and nutrition should be part of the focus of managing it, says Mike Hutjens, professor emeritus of animal sciences at the University of Illinois.

A two-year study focusing on bedding types and SCC in 325 herds in Wisconsin had a clear result: Herds using sand had less mastitis.

You need the right fence in the right place for the right reasons, said Randy Cutler of Milladore, Wisconsin, during his presentation at the 2017 Grassworks Grazing Conference.

Often the decision to grow or transform a dairy farm revolves around adding family or improving profitability. The same is often true for the dairy equipment industry.

Joe Borgerding Joe Borgerding of Belgrade, Minnesota, says he turned into a “reluctant grazier” about 20 years ago.

Do you want your farm to be the farm of choice, the place where employees want to work? Jennifer Blazek, dairy and livestock educator with the University of Wisconsin Extension, said many employees become disengaged when the “boss” tries to manage employees instead of leading them.

If you are looking for higher yields, stockpiled feed for the summer slump as well as better soil, growing corn for your cows to graze instead of perennial grasses may be the answer.

Could your dairy herd do well on 100 percent grass-fed milk? Yes, if you have well-managed pastures, said dairy producer Kevin Mahalko.