The need for the dairy sector to speak with one voice and get in front of issues to tell their positive stories on how they are making an impact on climate change, food security and economic growth was a central theme at Dairy Farmers of Canada’s held in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Moving from one herd management software to another is a significant step. Your herd management software is the most important, yet least recognized, part of your business.

The Canadian Forage Analysis Green Cup is a national forage competition with products raised in a farm field near you.

It is not selfish to prioritize exercise – it is smart business. It enhances creativity, increases the happy hormones and helps you deal with stress more effectively.

Strategically grouping cows on the farm can result in efficiencies and benefits. For instance, it can lead to improved cow health, increased production, reduced incidences of metabolic disorders and increased income over feed costs while also offering more efficient nutrient utilization across cow groups, thanks to the implementation of separate rations.

Even when a farm does everything right prior to feedout, silage piles that are subjected to less-than-ideal face management have the potential for massive spoilage.

The year is 2015, and the philosophy for feeding a robotic milking herd is to feed limited energy at the bunks so the cows go to the robots for the remainder of their nutrient requirements; more energy available in the robot means more visits and ultimately more milk.

 Mycoplasma is not a new problem and has plagued dairy farms for over 50 years, so what are the factors that make this disease so dangerous and what have we learned about control and prevention?

Our study demonstrates that incorporating probiotics as a preventive measure is an innovative approach to proactively prevent and fight diseases, surpassing the need for antibiotics once symptoms arise.

It would be handy to have a crystal ball at dry-off time. After freshening, will the cow produce high-quality colostrum that transfers needed antibodies to her calf? Will she freshen without mastitis?

Using beef sires to breed a portion of dairy females provides an opportunity to increase revenue from calf sales. As more dairy producers explore beef-on-dairy crossbreeding programs to maximize the value of every calf, the industry is learning some key insights along the way.

Treating beef-on-dairy calves with the proper care can earn you a few extra bucks at the sale barn. Read how to get the most out of your investment here.

There are many clichés to represent the need for the right tool to do the job. Perhaps the best one that both relates to the subject at hand, as well as in a practical application, is “don’t bring a water pistol to fight a fire.”

Managing dairy calves is truly an art form. The first few weeks of a calf’s life are imperative to how productive that calf will be as an adult, from increased milk during its first lactation to achieving its full genetic potential.

Dairy producers must realize that improving first-service conception rates to 45%-60% is possible. This goal takes a multifaceted approach that starts in dry and transition phases and leans on superb management practices.

Cow comfort and sustainability are probably two of the biggest buzz words right now in the dairy industry.

Water is essential in the cleaning of milking equipment and is often overlooked as an important component in milk quality.

Agricultural work can involve many hazards, but injuries, illnesses and death are preventable.

With high-end genetics, ever-growing production benchmarks and the willingness to share their story with the public through farm presentations, the family tradition of excellence will carry on.

When thinking about lactation length and milk production, one aspect to consider is maximizing the returns to your most fixed resource on the farm. Is your most fixed resource the cow or the stall she occupies?

Reproductive performance continues to improve across the dairy industry. Herds routinely achieve 21-day pregnancy rates above 20%, up from 14% reported as the national average in the 1990s.

In recent times, the use of beef semen by dairy herds has gained traction. Previously, breeding beef-on-dairy was typically used to generate additional income from a few crossbred calves or as a final recourse for cows with problems becoming pregnant.

In dairy herds across the globe, feet and leg problems that typically lead to lameness consistently rank as one of the top culling reasons.

It is often said that there is never just one diet that is fed to a group of dairy cows. There is the formulated diet on paper, the mixed diet in the bunk and the diet the cows eat.

There is seemingly an inordinate number of dairy farm families that have a lot of girls, and we are no exception. My wife and I have been blessed with three beautiful daughters.

I recently returned to the farm from a long weekend trip to Jacksonville, Florida. I went on behalf of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Special 10. While in Jacksonville, I attended the American Farm Bureau Fusion Conference.