We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
subscribe / renew
  • Livestock
    • Beef
    • Dairy
      • Canada
      • U.S.
    • Sheep & Goats
    • Other Livestock
  • Crops
    • Grains
      • Barley
      • Wheat
    • Hay
    • Pasture
    • Ensiled Forages
  • Equipment
  • Magazines
    • Progressive Dairy US
    • Progressive Dairy — Canada
    • Progressive Dairy – en francais
    • Progressive Forage
    • Progressive Cattle
    • Progressive Cattle - Canada
    • Idaho Ag Proud
  • Blogs
  • Buyers Guide
  • Advertise
  • Ask AgProud

Progressive Dairy

Progressive Dairy Canada

PD Canada en Francais

Progressive Cattle

Progressive Cattle Canada

Progressive Forage

Agproud Idaho

Home

Home » Authors » Brad Heins
Brad Heins

Brad Heins

Dairy Management Professor & Extension Specialist / University of Minnesota
Email Brad Heins
Articles

ARTICLES

How sensors are revolutionizing calf care

Eartags, pedometers and boluses, oh my! New sensor systems can be helpful tools when managing calves, but they are costly and do not replace hands-on care.
February 18, 2025
Brad Heins

Modern farming is rapidly evolving with the integration of advanced technology, and calf care is no exception. Recently, I saw some new things that may help improve calf health and well-being, and it might include some things we've never thought of.



Read More

How WCROC’s farm combatted lameness in a grazing herd

Lameness is one of the greatest costs to dairy cattle, yet many grazing herds do not incorporate a routine hoof trimming schedule into herd management. One farm has developed a schedule that does not interrupt the grazing schedule and makes hoof health a priority.
June 1, 2023
William (Willie) Coyne and Brad Heins

Lameness is one of the costliest disorders of dairy cattle, even in a grazing dairy herd. Yet, many grazing dairy cattle are not part of a routine hoof trimming schedule.


Read More

Agrivoltaics and grazing dairy cattle under solar panels

An overview of recent and current University of Minnesota research studying the effects of solar photovoltaic panels on heat abatement, animal health, crop productivity and reduced fossil fuel usage.
February 14, 2023
Brad Heins and Kirsten Sharpe

Dairy farmers have long been reducing the environmental impact of dairy farming and responsibly managing their land, air and water resources.


Read More

Precision technologies to improve dairy grazing systems

Wearable technologies, pasture forage measurements and grazing management, and autonomous and unmanned vehicles are some of the precision technologies that may improve overall production efficiency on grazing dairies.
September 3, 2022
Brad Heins, Glenda Pereira, and Kirsten Sharpe

Pasture-based dairy herds continue to grow in the U.S. as the demand for grass-fed and continued sustainable farming practices increases.



Read More
0522PD

Genetic diversity of the Jersey breed

June 29, 2022
Brad Heins
There has been a lot of chatter lately about inbreeding within the Holstein breed. Early estimates of average inbreeding for Holstein females born in 2021 is 9.1% with an average yearly increase of 0.3% to 0.4% per year.
Read More

Drug and vaccine storage: Protect your investment

March 15, 2021
Brad Heins and Emmanuel Rollin
Pharmaceutical products (vaccines, antimicrobials, other injectable or oral drugs, fly control products, dewormers, intramammary tubes, teat dips, etc.) represent a large investment that helps decrease incidence of disease, mitigate the severity of disease, and improve animal health and productivity.
Read More

Crossbred cows are more feed efficient than Holstein cows

September 11, 2019
Amy Hazel, Brad Heins, and Brittany Shonka-Martin
Interest in crossbreeding is at an all-time high among commercial dairy producers internationally. Generally speaking, however, circumstances have changed regarding the historical superiority of pure Holsteins compared to crossbreds for profitability.
Read More

Warm-season grasses and milk production in grazing dairies

March 14, 2019
Brad Heins and Kathryn Ritz
Pasture is the primary source of forage for grazing dairies. In the northern U.S., this requirement is typically met by a May-to-October grazing season, and profitability depends on pastures that provide a uniform, season-long supply of high-quality forage. However, in the northern U.S., seasonal variation in temperature and precipitation creates a challenge, as the predominant forage plants, which include perennial grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass, and legumes such as white clover, undergo a “summer slump” in production.
Read More

Greening of ag: Renewable energy systems for dairy production

December 11, 2017
Brad Heins
The typical dairy farm uses a large amount of energy during milking activities. This is due to the frequency of milking and the energy-intensive nature of harvesting milk, keeping it cool and cleaning the equipment with hot water.
Read More

Effects of flies on dairy cattle welfare and productivity

March 31, 2017
Brad Heins
Fly control is always a hot topic with dairy producers because there are not a lot of viable options to alleviate fly pressure. Nuisance flies are typically most active from May to October in northern regions and are active year-round in warmer climates.
Read More
View All Articles by Brad Heins
  • RECENT ARTICLES
  • 63520-clements-forage-test.jpg

    How daily decisions shape long-term herd performance

    June 6, 2026
  • PD webinar

    [Webinar] Dairy Market Update June 2026: Protect What You've Built Before July 1

    June 5, 2026
    • Another summer of water worries

      June 5, 2026

FREE NEWSLETTERS

Award-winning coverage of in-depth news and analysis to make your business more profitable.

SIGNUP TODAY
Advertisement
THE GUIDE

How do I get my company listed in your Buyers Guide? 
Submit a request to be listed for FREE in the Buyers Guide here.

Why can I only see so many articles before I have to register for the site?
Find out why here.

SUBSCRIBE to Leading Industry Magazines

Award-winning coverage of in-depth news and analysis to make your business more profitable.

Subscribe/Renew
Advertisement

I'm looking for ________

Find the right products and services for your farm, ranch or operation.

CHECK OUT OUR BUYERS GUIDE
Advertisement
  • FEATURED PODCASTS
  • [Podcast] Performance By Design: Science-driven solutions for today’s calf raisers

    Progressive Dairy
    Podcasts
    SPONSORED BY IFF Animal Nutrition & Health
  • [Podcast] What it takes to raise great heifers and build a winning team culture with Jason Shamburg and Nic Schoenberger

    Progressive Dairy
    Podcasts
PERSONALIZED CONTENT
Create an account and see website content tailored to your operation.  It only takes a few seconds!
SEE RECOMMENDATIONS NOW!
Copyright © 2026 Progressive Publishing

MORE INFORMATION
  • About Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQs
  • Advertise
  • Shop
  • Stats Posters

OUR MAGAZINES
  • Progressive Dairy
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
  • Progressive Dairy — Canada
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
  • Progressive Dairy — en français
    • Facebook
  • Progressive Cattle
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
  • Progressive Cattle — Canada
    • Facebook
    • Linkedin
  • Progressive Forage
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • AgProud — Idaho
    • Facebook
    • Linkedin

CONTACT INFORMATION

Progressive Publishing
238 West Nez Perce (physical)
PO Box 585 (mailing)
Jerome, ID 83338

   

info@progressivepublish.com
(800) 320-1424
(208) 324-7513 (Main)
(208) 324-1133 (Fax)