November 25, 2024

November 25, 2024 Progressive Dairy digital magazine

November 25, 2024

3 Open Minutes with Krysta Harden

Harden is the president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

November 1, 2024

The daughter of peanut farmers from Georgia, Krysta Harden shows a true passion for dairy. As the president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), she champions the work of U.S. dairy farmers and the high-quality, high-value products produced from their efforts. Progressive Dairy Managing Editor Karen Lee met with Harden to discuss how USDEC strategically meets global consumer demand for dairy and opens new opportunities for U.S. dairy products and ingredients, placing not only volume but also value in the world’s marketplace.

Assurance Watch: Dairy highlights wins in antimicrobial stewardship

November 21, 2024

Jamie Jonker

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most urgent global health threats and development challenges scientists face today. And dairy is responding with stewardship and materials that advance our industry’s interests in combating the threat.

Checkoff Watch: Checkoff’s recipe strategy keeps dairy in season year-round

November 12, 2024

Butter traditionally enjoys a strong showing in November and December. These two months account for 23% of annual volume, and we see a spike in growth during this period that is higher than during any other part of the year, as families and friends gather for Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holiday meals.

Tips for having excellent employee performance discussions

To improve meetings with employees, try setting clear expectations, listening to learn about key issues affecting employees, working together with employees to find solutions and including specific examples of what the employee is doing well – regardless of whether you are providing positive or negative feedback.

November 18, 2024

Bob Milligan

The purpose of this article is to increase your comfort level in performance discussions. There are two types of performance discussions. The first focuses on training and assigning new tasks and/or responsibilities. The second is providing feedback on the execution of those tasks and responsibilities. The focus of this article is the latter – feedback – although all but the first section applies to both.

Dairy risk management: A need in today’s environment

Risk management programs like Dairy Revenue Protection help dairy producers manage price volatility and maintain financial stability.

November 15, 2024

Tim Patchin and Adam Cardwell

Producers now have a valuable opportunity to secure higher revenue floors in an increasingly volatile market by enrolling in the Dairy Revenue Protection (Dairy-RP) program. The program is a great addition to a sound risk management strategy, allowing producers to give added focus on managing volatility beyond the commodity sector and unpredictable geopolitical, macroeconomic and other unforeseen risks.

Stay ahead of lameness: A practical checklist for early detection before it costs you money

Lame cows produce less milk than their healthy counterparts. Knowing how to identify a cow before she is chronically lame can aid in treatment and get her back on track before costing you money.

September 26, 2024

Amir Nejati

A streamlined method of visual scoring, which can be performed quickly, consistently and accurately by farm personnel, continues to play a crucial role in managing lameness in dairy herds.

Is it time to walk away? The transition plan breaking point

Transition planning can be messy and heartbreaking. If opening up communication and forging a plan is not possible – even with the help of a third party – it may be time to move on.

May 2, 2024

Emma Ohirko

Transition planning is never easy or simple, but some cases are much harder than others. If you are at an impasse, it may be time to evaluate the consequences of continuing with a transition plan so you can make the hard decision sooner rather than later.

Identify high-risk hazards to put control measures in place

Farms are full of high-risk hazards. Listing these scenarios and how to address them is the next step in setting up a farm’s safety plan.

January 16, 2023

Cheryl DeCooman

Now that you have discussed your dairy’s commitment to health and safety with your farm team and set up your health and safety board, the next step in the process toward developing a solid health and safety program on your dairy is to identify the tasks that pose the highest risk hazards to your team and then develop a safe operating procedure that you can use to train your team on how to conduct the task safely.

Beef-on-dairy research from Penn State: Supply must match demand

Research suggests breeding dairy cows to beef semen is a sound investment for dairy operations and that these cattle are meeting beef industry requirements.

November 11, 2024

Tara L. Felix

Dairy farms across the U.S. have been breeding a portion of their cows to beef sires since 2018. The resultant crossbred progeny, known as beef-on-dairy, has provided challenges and opportunities for both the beef and dairy industries. Penn State collected data over four years to evaluate the impact of beef-on-dairy progeny on these industries.

Creating and sustaining a strong farm culture

A good farm culture is key to keeping a farm running smoothly. To accomplish this, farm leadership must define and stress test it.

November 8, 2024

Chris Gwyn

It’s been said that people don’t leave bad jobs, they leave bad bosses. But I think there’s more to it than that. In my decades of experience, both in the office and on countless farms, people do leave bad jobs. They also leave bad environments, situations with high expectations and little guidance, and meager growth opportunity. This is true for all types of businesses, including agriculture.

The basics of rumen feed efficiency

Feed efficiency involves optimizing nutrient conversion from feed into milk components, enhancing overall cow performance through careful management of carbohydrate fermentation, glycogen production, fat synthesis and protein intake in the rumen.

July 29, 2024

Emma Ohirko

As with all areas of dairy operations, increasing efficiency – in this case of feed in the rumen – deserves attention because when it is improved, gains can be seen beyond the area of focus, not to mention in sustainability (this includes economically) as well.

Four tips to help unlock the potential of beef-on-dairy

Beef-on-dairy can be a viable and useful option for increasing calf value. However, for maximum return, farms should provide quality care and strategize when they sell them.

October 28, 2024

D J Dominguez

Using beef semen to cross with Holsteins, Jerseys and other dairy breeds has helped change the value of each calf. Dairy producers are looking for ways to maximize this strategy and reap the financial benefits. Here are four tips to help unlock the potential of beef-on-dairy calves and secure maximum results.

Selecting for mastitis resistance and improved udder health

Understanding how mastitis resistance is expressed can aid in selecting genetics.

November 19, 2024

Chuck Sattler

Mastitis incidence is a management challenge on every dairy. While environment and milking management play key roles in maintaining low levels of mastitis, genetic selection for improved mastitis resistance can play a valuable complementary role in a successful mastitis control strategy.

Beyond heat detection: Combining technology and synchronization for reproductive success

Monitoring technologies deliver essential data to help manage nonconformist cows.

October 22, 2024

Glaucio Lopes

Researchers are exploring advanced methods that combine activity monitoring technology with fertility programs to take reproductive outcomes to an even higher level. One approach is called targeted reproductive management (TRM), and here's what it could mean for your herd.

What is the best bedding choice for cow comfort in stall barns?

Locomotion and hock scores, along with resting time, are indicators of the quality of the lying surface and bedding choice. With many bedding options available, this article provides recommendations for how to optimize each of them to improve cow comfort.

November 7, 2024

Emily Fread

Retired Vermont dairy farmer writes children’s Christmas book

November 21, 2024

Audrey Schmitz

The Christmas Calf by George Woodard captures the essence of a true holiday miracle through the perspective of a 9-year-old farm boy. On a cold Christmas Eve, this young boy's curiosity and care lead him to the barn, where a cow is expected to give birth. In the quiet, snowy night, he experiences the wonder and mystery of new life, illuminated by the magic of the season. Woodard’s storytelling transports readers to this heartwarming moment, making The Christmas Calf a memorable tale for all ages.

Hansen Dairy’s 'A Very Dairy Christmas' event brings farm fun to the holidays

November 25, 2024

Audrey Schmitz

Hansen Dairy’s "A Very Dairy Christmas" is a holiday event like no other, offering families a unique blend of festive cheer and farm life. Set in a cozy winter wonderland on Hansen’s dairy farm, this event goes beyond the typical holiday experience.

Progressive Dairy's top 25-read articles of 2024

A look back at the top 25 most-viewed articles published between October 2023 and October 2024.

November 20, 2024

Over the course of 2024, the dairy industry experienced some firsts and all-time highs. We continue to see dairy producers adopt new technologies and methods, while also focusing on the basics of good nutrition and animal care. Here, Progressive Dairy looks back at the top-viewed 25 articles from October 2023 to October 2024. We reached out to several of the subjects and authors to ask a follow-up question. Here are the responses we received.

Faber's Food for Thought: Soccer war zones and corn battles

November 25, 2024

Dwayne Faber

It’s that time again in the Pacific Northwest – pumpkin spice lattes, kids’ soccer games and corn harvest.

Life on the Family Farm: The big oak tree

November 25, 2024

Tom Heck

I had a complicated situation arise awhile back with a large oak tree on our farm. The tree was off of the edge of the township road and the federal highway that run by our farm. I really like large oak trees that stand so strong and beautiful, and yes, I liked this big tree that stood next to the fence of my heifer pasture.

The Milk House: Christmas in southern Italy

November 25, 2024

Ryan Dennis

One of the consequences of marrying someone from a different culture and then living in a third country is that our Christmas plans vary wildly from year to year. Last year, we spent Christmas with my wife’s family in her birthplace of Taranto, in the heel of the Italian boot.

Just Dropping By: Thanksgiving is a time to rejoice

November 25, 2024

Yevet Crandell Tenney

This year has flown by. It was just Christmas last week and now it’s Thanksgiving.

It’s not even Thanksgiving yet

November 25, 2024

Karen Lee

I know. I know. You just received our magazine with a nativity scene on the cover, and you’re probably thinking, “The Christmas issue, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet!”

Automated health monitoring using sensors: What have we learned and strategies for on-farm implementation

November 25, 2024

Julio O. Giordano

The burden and challenges of cow health monitoring is growing as qualified personnel becomes scarce, labor costs rise, and herd sizes increase. Minimizing disruption of cow routines is also important to support improved performance.

MyCow$: A novel tool to improve dairy farm business decision-making through real-time estimation of individual cow profitability

November 25, 2024

Julio O. Giordano

Good business decision-making in dairy farming depends on the availability of high quality and current data about the profitability of the business production unit: the cow.

Targeted Reproductive Management with automated estrus detection during early lactation optimizes herd management and performance

November 25, 2024

Julio O. Giordano

As the dairy industry evolves and new strategies are required to improve herd performance, management, and sustainability measures, a potential approach to improve reproductive efficiency, optimize herd management practices, and increase profitability is Targeted Reproductive Management (TRM).

Dairying in Colombia: Grazing cows contending with subclinical hypocalcemia

November 25, 2024

Geneva Graef

Globally, whether working in a continuously housed dairy or a grazing herd, it is generally accepted that the transition period brings the complexity of shifting metabolic priorities.

Increasing metabolizable protein supply: A strategy to increase early lactation performance

November 25, 2024

Trent Westhoff, Thomas R. Overton, and Sabine Mann

Dairy producers and nutrition consultants alike understand the importance of a well-managed nutritional program during the transition period for the health and productivity of their herd.

Accelerating livestock methane mitigation and monitoring technologies

November 25, 2024

Joseph W. McFadden

The Accelerating Livestock Innovations for Sustainability (ALIS) program was developed at Cornell University to expedite the development, approval, and adoption of safe and effective technologies that help farmers optimize their production system while protecting our environment.

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