August 7, 2024

August 7, 2024 Progressive Dairy digital magazine

August 7, 2024

USDA releases proposal for Federal Milk Marketing Order reform

Dairy producers will have 60 days to submit a written public comment.

July 3, 2024

On July 1, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) released its recommended decision, which proposes to amend the pricing provisions in the 11 Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs). This follows the record-breaking 49-day hearing process that began in August 2023 and concluded in late January 2024.

FARM Animal Care Program releases Version 5 standards

July 12, 2024

Beverly Hampton Phifer

The FARM Program’s latest Animal Care standards released July 1 reflects current science-based industry standards for cow and calf care and provides best management practices for participants.

Lifelong Learning: Building skills for the farm and beyond

August 1, 2024

As dairy farmers, we have a unique way of life and a distinct responsibility to share the stories of our farm and industry with our communities.

How to start holding consistent, productive farm meetings with a purpose

Effective meetings can improve communication, provide clear direction, set or shift priorities, review production and financial records, and set strategies for improvement.

July 22, 2024

Joy Kirkpatrick

You never hear someone say they love farming because they love sitting in a meeting room talking about business. They will probably say they’d rather be doing anything else – with animals, crops, machinery, you name it – than sitting in meetings.

Extracting stuck tractors and farm equipment safely

Selecting the right recovery tools and following the proper steps can keep a bad situation, like stuck equipment, from getting worse by harming the individuals involved.

November 9, 2023

Cheryl DeCooman

Every farmer from time to time gets their tractor or farm equipment stuck in the mud. Although it may seem inevitable, there are ways to avoid getting stuck; however, once stuck in the mud it is important to get unstuck in the safest possible way to minimize the risk of an injury or damaging the equipment.

Employee retention starts with you: The employee

Formal technical training, training resources from a vet or nutritionist, and formal educational opportunities are essential not only for the dairy’s success; it’s also essential for employee success and retention.

July 22, 2024

Jorge Delgado

Retaining employees is critical to the long-term health and success of a dairy operation. Therefore, failing to create the right environment to retain employees will affect the bottom line of the business and create organizational issues, such as worker insecurity, excess duties that workers must absorb and time invested in recruiting, hiring and training new employees.

Push your manure and feed management to automation

Pushing feed and manure manually takes labor, fuel, and wear and tear on your equipment. Dairy farms can save time and experience many other benefits by delegating these tasks to automation.

July 10, 2024

Julie Johnson

How does your dairy push feed and manure? Do you rely on a skid loader and an employee? Pushing these responsibilities to automation can save labor, fuel, and equipment wear and tear.

Safe silage harvest: Prepare now to prevent accidents later

Improve the safety on your farm by adding the following to your preharvest checklist: Inspect equipment, clean storage facilities, check lights and flashers on vehicles and equipment, develop safety protocols, and take the time to maintain your physical and mental health.

July 23, 2024

Emily Krekelberg

Safety for corn silage harvest includes everything from equipment checks to personal care. It’s no secret that harvest season is a dangerous time on any farm. Help prevent your farm from becoming another statistic by following these easy – and potentially lifesaving – safety tips.

Tips for building skilled farm labor through employee trainings

Holding trainings in the language employees are most comfortable with and measuring their comprehension of the covered topics will improve employee trainings.

July 4, 2024

Erica Louder

Amid a decade-long labor shortage, dairy farmers recognize the importance of training their employees, both informally and formally. And they are leaning on their veterinarians, county extension agents, nutritionists and other consultants to support and carry out these trainings.

Maximizing forage quality: Key considerations for successful ensiling

By embracing the best practices in inoculant use and management, you can lay the foundation for sustained forage quality and herd productivity for years to come.

June 4, 2024

Renato J. Schmidt

Effective management, including the use of proven inoculants to manage the ensiling process at the microbiological level, safeguards your investment, maximizes time and resources, and is critical for optimizing your bottom line.

Maintaining optimum milk production and udder health

Achieving optimum milk production and udder health goals requires a comprehensive approach that encompasses both the selection of appropriate milking equipment and the implementation of effective milking techniques.

July 29, 2024

Chris Singleton

Optimum milk production is crucial for dairy farmers, as it directly impacts their profitability. However, while higher milk yields increase revenue, it is important that it is achieved without compromising the health and well-being of the cows.

Investigating causes of late-term abortions

Learn common pathogenic and nonpathogenic causes of late-term abortions and how dairy producers, their herd veterinarians and veterinary diagnostic laboratories can work together to help find the cause of late-term abortions.

July 16, 2024

Angela Rowson

Learn common pathogenic and nonpathogenic causes of late-term abortions and how dairy producers, their herd veterinarian and veterinary diagnostic laboratories can work together to help find the cause of late-term abortions.

Magic Valley dairy duo vertically integrate with new Burley milk plant

July 2, 2024

Walt Cooley

Dairyman Jesus Hurtado’s fate was intertwined with the late John Reitsma and his dairies for nearly three decades. Now Hurtado and John’s son Dirk Reitsma and their dairy futures are connected again through co-investment in a new milk plant in Burley, Idaho.

7 ways to improve energy efficiency in your dairy barn

Energy-efficient motors, milk cooling technology with good performance-to-energy-consumption ratios, natural lighting, LED lighting, sensors to more precisely manage energy usage, regular maintenance and considering alternative energy sources can lower energy costs while improving efficiency.

July 16, 2024

Kristin Brommer

In an era where sustainability and efficiency are paramount, dairy farmers are increasingly seeking ways to reduce their energy consumption while maintaining optimal production levels. One significant area of focus is the dairy barn, where numerous opportunities exist to improve energy efficiency.

Boost sort gate benefits on your dairy

Sort gates can lessen cow stress, enhance operational efficiency and help employees reallocate time to more profitable and efficient endeavors.

July 26, 2024

Matthew Heisner

Sort gates provide one more opportunity to move from a group management philosophy to an individual management perspective. Instead of managing by exception, you are now managing the individual cow or individual challenge.

Investments in life cycle feeding of probiotics supports your bottom line

July 11, 2024

Kimberley Morrill

Effective probiotics cost pennies per day and provide significant benefits throughout the entire life cycle of an animal.

A different perspective on linear selection

Linear selection has dominated breeding decisions for decades, heavily influencing the modern dairy cow. Indexes offer a more stable selection choice while creating the ideal cow for a given herd.

July 23, 2024

Larry Schirm

The question is: How much should the linear selection factor be used to identify the mothers of your replacement females? In other words, how one uses or doesn’t use linear type traits will influence the females you identify as having the genetics you wish to propagate.

The role of phytochemicals during the transition period

How plants – more specifically phytochemicals – can help our heifers and cows conquer that daunting transition period and come out on top.

June 13, 2024

Yasmin Schuermann

If we consider how plants can help our heifers and cows conquer that daunting transition period, there may be more than simply forages, in terms of plants, to consider. Let us dig into the world of phytochemicals.

The fiber that gels

July 12, 2024

Woody Lane

Fiber isn’t fiber isn’t fiber. Lots of folks talk about fiber – doctors, teachers, marketers, nutritionists – but there are different types of nutritional fiber, and fiber digestibility partially depends on the species of animal consuming it.

Mythbusting teat dips: Are you using the right one on your dairy?

Know what to look for when selecting a teat dip to get the best results for your farm.

July 5, 2024

Keith Engel

When you make a teat dip change, plan for at least three to four weeks to start seeing a difference – and that’s if all other variables remain the same. Remember, you are using a teat dip to help prevent mastitis, not cure it.

Faber's Food for Thought: Whassup and farmer therapy

August 7, 2024

Dwayne Faber

The year was 1999, and school buses across America were ringing with kids loudly yelling, “Whassup?”

From The Best Yes: Lessons to manage big decisions and daily schedules

August 6, 2024

Rebecca Shaw Pfeffer

Now, halfway through reading The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst, I’m finding myself on a personal journey that is reminding me to be patient and intentional with my time, my choices, and myself.

Precision starter guide for hay and forage equipment

Technologies, like the more common autoguidance and assisted steering tools all the way up to full autonomy, are driving productivity in all segments of agriculture.

July 22, 2024

Chris Ehman

The use of precision technology has been a pivotal evolution for agricultural practices, aiding farmers in crop management, resource optimization and operational efficiency.

Just Dropping By: Dead-end streets

August 7, 2024

Yevet Crandell Tenney

The other day I was driving and saw a dead-end sign. I didn’t think about driving down that road because I knew I didn’t want to have to turn around, but I started to think about the dead-end signs the Lord has put in our paths by way of commandments.

Life on the Family Farm: Elmo lives dangerously

August 7, 2024

Tom Heck

Years ago, when we would fill out applications for medical insurance, the insurance agent would always ask us a lot of questions. One of the questions was, “Did anybody in our household do bull riding or parachute jumping?” If I would have answered “yes” to that, the cost of the insurance would have gone up substantially.

For most, your paycheck depends upon it

August 7, 2024

Karen Lee

Ah, the lazy dog days of summer are upon us. But wait, if you have a dog in the fight when it comes to milk paid based on a Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO), now is not the time to be lazy.

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