https://www.agproud.com/rss en-us matti@agproud.com “I don’t know if there’s a secret,” says owner Margreet Dijkstra of Sylvanside Dairy’s award-winning milk quality. “We just have an eye for details.” She also credits excellent cow comfort, no shortcuts and consistency. “I don’t know if there’s a secret,” says owner Margreet Dijkstra of Sylvanside Dairy’s award-winning milk quality. “We just have an eye for details.” She also credits excellent cow comfort, no shortcuts and consistency.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62849 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62849-an-eye-for-details-helps-sylvanside-dairy-maintain-low-somatic-cell-count 62849-mcbride.jpg shaun@futurecow.com Milking parlors perform at the intersection of three forces: equipment performance, chemical effectiveness and human compliance. Each one can elevate milk quality or quietly sabotage it. Milking parlors perform at the intersection of three forces: equipment performance, chemical effectiveness and human compliance. Each one can elevate milk quality or quietly sabotage it.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62594 Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62594-equipment-chemistry-and-people-a-three-tier-checklist-for-modern-parlors dtnolan@illinois.edu We often hear that mastitis costs the U.S. dairy industry $2 billion per year. But what does this mean on a case level? We often hear that mastitis costs the U.S. dairy industry $2 billion per year. But what does this mean on a case level?

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62526 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62526-dollars-down-the-drain-what-one-case-of-mastitis-can-cost-you 62526-nolan-cooley.jpg adrianne.trennepohl@genusplc.com To effectively manage milk quality and boost production, it is essential to ensure that cows are comfortable in their environment. Therefore, paying attention to proper udder care is crucial; neglecting it could jeopardize your operation’s bottom line. To effectively manage milk quality and boost production, it is essential to ensure that cows are comfortable in their environment. Therefore, paying attention to proper udder care is crucial; neglecting it could jeopardize your operation’s bottom line.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62361 Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62361-a-decision-tree-to-mastitis-prevention shannon.walsh@hipra.com Milk cultures are a powerful tool in managing mastitis, offering insights into which pathogens are affecting your herd. Understanding whether infections stem from environmental or contagious organisms can help guide crucial decisions. Milk cultures are a powerful tool in managing mastitis, offering insights into which pathogens are affecting your herd. Understanding whether infections stem from environmental or contagious organisms can help guide crucial decisions.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61892 Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61892-making-sense-of-milk-culture-results-a-practical-guide-for-dairy-producers john.champagne@merck.com We, as dairy caretakers, often feel an immediate need to do something in response to seeing abnormal milk. However, it may be more prudent to pause, take a strategic step back and weigh the options before proceeding with blanket treatment for all clinical mastitis cases. We, as dairy caretakers, often feel an immediate need to do something in response to seeing abnormal milk. However, it may be more prudent to pause, take a strategic step back and weigh the options before proceeding with blanket treatment for all clinical mastitis cases.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61704 Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61704-weighing-the-costs-of-mastitis-treatment-ask-these-five-questions The Gagnonval Farm in Sainte-Hénédine, Quebec, has been equally owned by brothers Marc and Daniel Gagnon since 1994. If its name rings a bell for you, it’s most likely due to the exceptional quality of milk produced there. The Gagnonval Farm in Sainte-Hénédine, Quebec, has been equally owned by brothers Marc and Daniel Gagnon since 1994. If its name rings a bell for you, it’s most likely due to the exceptional quality of milk produced there.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61518 Tue, 17 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61518-no-magic-recipe-sustained-efforts-by-gagnon-brothers-to-produce-high-quality-milk-in-quebec 61518-cloutier-2.jpg theudderdoctor@gmail.com The hospital pen or group is often the most disliked pen on a dairy. These are the cows that have abnormal milk and may or may not be sick. These animals must be isolated and identified so their milk does not enter the milk supply. The better the program for handling these cows, the lower the risk of spreading to the clean cows in the herd. The hospital pen or group is often the most disliked pen on a dairy. These are the cows that have abnormal milk and may or may not be sick. These animals must be isolated and identified so their milk does not enter the milk supply. The better the program for handling these cows, the lower the risk of spreading to the clean cows in the herd.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61507 Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61507-managing-mastitis-in-hospital-pens 61507-johnson-clean.jpg scarter@boumatic.com Keeping somatic cell count low isn’t just about producing high-quality milk; it’s about minimizing milk losses and maintaining a sustainable, efficient operation. Keeping somatic cell count low isn’t just about producing high-quality milk; it’s about minimizing milk losses and maintaining a sustainable, efficient operation.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61315 Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61315-sustainable-milk-quality-how-preventative-maintenance-lowers-somatic-cell-count-and-increases-profitability 61315-carter-1-dixon.jpg matti@agproud.com Cow people create environments for cows to thrive in. This is common knowledge to many in the dairy industry, but for Allen Bent and the team at A & J Bent Farms Ltd., it is integral to achieving a somatic cell count (SCC) of 56,000 in a herd of 150 Holsteins. Cow people create environments for cows to thrive in. This is common knowledge to many in the dairy industry, but for Allen Bent and the team at A & J Bent Farms Ltd., it is integral to achieving a somatic cell count (SCC) of 56,000 in a herd of 150 Holsteins.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61156 Mon, 24 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61156-a-and-j-bent-farms-honoured-with-north-american-milk-quality-award 61156-mcbride-2.jpg waseem.shaukat@ucalgary.ca Because control strategies differ depending on the type of mastitis, knowing the cause of infections in your herd is essential for targeted prevention and treatment. Because control strategies differ depending on the type of mastitis, knowing the cause of infections in your herd is essential for targeted prevention and treatment.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61143 Wed, 19 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61143-protecting-your-profits-what-bulk-tank-milk-tells-us-about-contagious-mastitis 61143-barkema-4798.jpg pedro.nogueira@trouwnutrition.com This article, from researchers from Michigan University and DeLaval, aimed to assess the impact of a training session on dairy farmworkers’ understanding of the milking routine, behavioural changes during milking and subsequent effects on milk quality and udder health. This article, from researchers from Michigan University and DeLaval, aimed to assess the impact of a training session on dairy farmworkers’ understanding of the milking routine, behavioural changes during milking and subsequent effects on milk quality and udder health.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60999 Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60999-research-review-from-the-journal-of-dairy-science-impact-of-training-on-milk-quality-and-udder-cleft-dermatitis pedro.nogueira@trouwnutrition.com This article from researchers from the University of Guelph is a literature review discussing insights and knowledge gaps linking health disorders with different processes related to reproductive function. This article from researchers from the University of Guelph is a literature review discussing insights and knowledge gaps linking health disorders with different processes related to reproductive function.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60662 Fri, 27 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60662-from-the-journal-of-dairy-science-fresh-cow-health-impact-on-reproductive-function-and-teat-sealant-excretion-postpartum News_press_-_Getty.jpeg Newspapers being printed in printing press. john@cow-corner.co Routines to maintain udder health change with the transition to automated milking. In a parlor, most of the monitoring of the cow, the equipment, and to some extent the environment, is part of the milking routine. It is completed by the workers in the parlor as they prep, strip and attach milkers. In automated milking, it is important to develop daily routines to monitor those milk quality control points in other ways. Routines to maintain udder health change with the transition to automated milking. In a parlor, most of the monitoring of the cow, the equipment, and to some extent the environment, is part of the milking routine. It is completed by the workers in the parlor as they prep, strip and attach milkers. In automated milking, it is important to develop daily routines to monitor those milk quality control points in other ways. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60698 Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60698-an-apple-a-day-keeps-mastitis-away-monitoring-mastitis-in-automated-milking-systems 60698-gerbitz-getty.jpg pdv3@cornell.edu Klebsiella is a gram-negative bacteria that can cause severe clinical mastitis in dairy cows. If they survive the illness, cows are often culled due to low milk production. This article describes some common ways Klebsiella is transmitted from the environment to teats and strategies on how to prevent Klebsiella mastitis cases on your farm. Klebsiella is a gram-negative bacteria that can cause severe clinical mastitis in dairy cows. If they survive the illness, cows are often culled due to low milk production. This article describes some common ways Klebsiella is transmitted from the environment to teats and strategies on how to prevent Klebsiella mastitis cases on your farm.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60601 Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60601-klebsiella-mastitis-stop-it-before-it-starts 60601-rowson-1.jpg matt_dodd@diamondv.com The parlor is a critical place on a dairy to have productivity and efficiency dialed in 365 days a year. When it comes to leveling up your parlor output, audits are a helpful tool in finding ways to fine-tune and uncover areas for improvement that drive milk harvest success – ultimately impacting the dairy’s bottom line. The parlor is a critical place on a dairy to have productivity and efficiency dialed in 365 days a year. When it comes to leveling up your parlor output, audits are a helpful tool in finding ways to fine-tune and uncover areas for improvement that drive milk harvest success – ultimately impacting the dairy’s bottom line. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60595 Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60595-addressing-parlor-challenges-a-three-legged-stool-for-success 60595-dodd-1.jpg linda.tikofsky@boehringer-ingelheim.com Knowing the classification of a mastitis case can help you choose which animals to treat, saving you money and improving judicious antibiotic use. Knowing the classification of a mastitis case can help you choose which animals to treat, saving you money and improving judicious antibiotic use.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60334 Mon, 21 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60334-the-power-of-pathogen-based-mastitis-treatment 60334-tikofsky-1353.jpg smcburney@lely.com While it is impossible to eliminate cases of mastitis in a dairy herd, automation can help producers save time, money and resources, ensuring their cows get the best and most timely care possible. While it is impossible to eliminate cases of mastitis in a dairy herd, automation can help producers save time, money and resources, ensuring their cows get the best and most timely care possible.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60321 Thu, 03 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60321-using-automation-and-data-to-catch-mastitis-early ca-fr-social-22.jpg h.m.woodhouse@outlook.com Producers are encouraged to monitor their test results and assess their farm’s free fatty acid risk factors. A discussion with their nutritionist, veterinarian and/or field service representative can also be helpful to target any free fatty acid concerns. Producers are encouraged to monitor their test results and assess their farm’s free fatty acid risk factors. A discussion with their nutritionist, veterinarian and/or field service representative can also be helpful to target any free fatty acid concerns.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60167 Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60167-elevated-free-fatty-acids-in-milk-impair-quality wayne@dutrion.net Profitable livestock production requires many quality management skills that all impact the technical results. Profitable livestock production requires many quality management skills that all impact the technical results.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59789 Tue, 09 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59789-importance-of-water-quality-for-milk-production 59789-kemerink-1.jpg keith.engel@gea.com 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. 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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59824 Fri, 05 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59824-mythbusting-teat-dips-are-you-using-the-right-one-on-your-dairy 59824-engel-1.jpg chris@centraldairysolutions.ca Extra revenue is great, but remember to weigh changes in expenses between alternative plans. Extra revenue is great, but remember to weigh changes in expenses between alternative plans.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59672 Wed, 19 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59672-should-you-chase-incentive-days Finance_-_Getty.jpeg Man using calculator Accounting Calculating Cost Economic bills with money stack step growing growth saving money in home , finance concept theudderdoctor@gmail.com In my 50 years of experience, managing the level of SCC and mastitis in fresh heifers is critical to achieving excellent milk quality. There are many important ways to improve milk quality on your dairy, but don’t let fresh heifers contribute to your issues. In my 50 years of experience, managing the level of SCC and mastitis in fresh heifers is critical to achieving excellent milk quality. There are many important ways to improve milk quality on your dairy, but don’t let fresh heifers contribute to your issues.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59647 Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59647-mastitis-in-fresh-heifers-a-major-problem 59647-johnson-jillian-williams.jpg joel.prince@waikatomilking.com At the heart of the approach of harvesting high-quality milk is ensuring farmers have a thorough understanding of key milk quality parameters, including milk composition, somatic cell count (SCC), bacterial count and the absence of contaminants. At the heart of the approach of harvesting high-quality milk is ensuring farmers have a thorough understanding of key milk quality parameters, including milk composition, somatic cell count (SCC), bacterial count and the absence of contaminants.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59646 Tue, 04 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59646-how-to-ensure-the-highest-milk-quality-and-standards ca-fr-social-45.jpg Since their father began dairy farming in 1974 with only four cows, the Brophy brothers have grown their herd to 200 milking cows, expanded their forage acreage sixfold, overcome a barn fire in 2002, which decimated their milking herd and main facility, and most recently, sprung back from a severe disease outbreak, which resulted in the death of 42 cows over nine days. Since their father began dairy farming in 1974 with only four cows, the Brophy brothers have grown their herd to 200 milking cows, expanded their forage acreage sixfold, overcome a barn fire in 2002, which decimated their milking herd and main facility, and most recently, sprung back from a severe disease outbreak, which resulted in the death of 42 cows over nine days.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59401 Tue, 23 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59401-brophys-dairy-farm-produces-award-winning-milk-on-newfoundlands-northern-peninsula 59401-ohirko-resized-farm.jpg rkrammes@standardnutrition.com All we have to do is balance the ration to maximize fat, right? Regarding the number of variables involved in ration formulation, few diets are ever truly balanced. Consider the word “optimized” instead. Let’s look at several key nutrients that must be optimized for maximum butterfat production. All we have to do is balance the ration to maximize fat, right? Regarding the number of variables involved in ration formulation, few diets are ever truly balanced. Consider the word “optimized” instead. Let’s look at several key nutrients that must be optimized for maximum butterfat production.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59217 Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59217-butterfat-101-theres-more-to-it-than-nutrition 59217-krammes-kyle-at-miners.jpg shannon.walsh@hipra.com Approximately 50% of dairy cows, the pinnacle of metabolic athletes within the species, will experience a production-associated disease (e.g., mastitis, metritis, ketosis, displaced abomasum) in every lactation. Even in the best facilities with the best management, mastitis is an inherent risk that can’t be eliminated, so our aim is to reduce it. Approximately 50% of dairy cows, the pinnacle of metabolic athletes within the species, will experience a production-associated disease (e.g., mastitis, metritis, ketosis, displaced abomasum) in every lactation. Even in the best facilities with the best management, mastitis is an inherent risk that can’t be eliminated, so our aim is to reduce it.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59212 Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59212-untapped-potential-reframing-mastitis-vaccination-in-our-evolving-industry ca-fr-social-42.jpg With 10% to 35% of cows experiencing mastitis each lactation, grappling with its cost is a reality of milking cows. A Canadian study showed mastitis costs dairy farmers roughly $660 per cow per year, making it the costliest disease of dairy cattle. With 10% to 35% of cows experiencing mastitis each lactation, grappling with its cost is a reality of milking cows. A Canadian study showed mastitis costs dairy farmers roughly $660 per cow per year, making it the costliest disease of dairy cattle.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59162 Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59162-the-cost-of-discarded-milk-and-how-to-lower-it 59162-ohirko-parlor.jpg dtnolan@illinois.edu Determining the infecting bacteria type allows for a more guided treatment decision. Not all producers can work with a veterinarian to culture milk samples, and results from on-farm culturing can be difficult to interpret. However, being able to at least categorize the infecting pathogen can provide valuable information. Determining the infecting bacteria type allows for a more guided treatment decision. Not all producers can work with a veterinarian to culture milk samples, and results from on-farm culturing can be difficult to interpret. However, being able to at least categorize the infecting pathogen can provide valuable information.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59218 Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59218-back-to-the-basics-gram-negative-vs-gram-positive-mastitis 59218-nolan-petri.jpg adrianne.trennepohl@genusplc.com Udder health is not something you can take your eye off because you have a plan in place. Udder health is not something you can take your eye off because you have a plan in place.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/58734 Wed, 20 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/58734-use-the-right-product-at-the-right-time-to-guarantee-excellent-udder-health 58734-trennepohl-8609800B-F1AA-4E8A-AB3C-A9CAD03A3A0A.jpg