More than 300 hoof trimmers, experts and allied industry supporters teamed up to tackle some of the toughest issues facing dairy animal foot health during the 2016 Hoof Health Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia, Feb. 17-20.

Don’t miss out on the exciting lineup at this year’s Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) conference being held April 11-13 in Madison, Wisconsin.

When T.J. McClure joined a start-up dairy heifer operation in the heart of beef cattle country during the devastating dairy down cycle of 2009, people thought he had lost his mind.

It’s no secret that warm temperatures cause stress for dairy cows. While some effects are noticed immediately, like a drop in milk production, others rear their heads weeks or months later, like reduced reproductive performance and even lameness.

Not a big “fan” of confusing and conflicting data regarding solutions for ventilation and air circulation on your dairy? Make it easier by referencing unbiased information from a research, product-testing and educational laboratory, Bio-Environmental and Structural Systems (BESS) Labs.

How much does heat stress really cost? What’s the difference among sprinklers, misters and soakers? Which barn design will optimize ventilation efficiency?

At April Ridge Genetics Center, the view can’t be beat. “I love seeing the best of the breeding program right here,” Ed Peck says, looking out over his livestock from a loft viewing window at his genetics facility near Mount Horeb, Wisconsin.

Things aren’t just black and white at Majestic Crossing Dairy. For brothers Dean and Darren Strauss, a three-way crossbreeding program has added colors to their barn, components to their milk and cash to their bottom line.

“I believe in the future of agriculture …” If you donned a blue corduroy jacket during your high school days, those words hit a special place in your heart. They mark the beginning of the FFA Creed, a five-paragraph essay that eloquently explains the mission of one of the nation’s largest and oldest youth organizations, the FFA.

The 2016 Dairy Strong event, hosted by the Dairy Business Association, delivered a delightful mix of laughter, education and thought-provoking conversation to the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center Jan. 12-14.