Progressive Dairy

Using the tools available to manage mastitis in automated milking systems

john@cow-corner.co — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

We can categorize automated milking system data into tools for detecting new infections in individual cows and tools for monitoring the herd level of existing infection. The tools will be more valuable if we use them correctly.

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

walt.cooley@agproud.com — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

3 things you need to know about bedding with manure solids

rschrift@mclanahan.com — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Sand is the ideal dairy bedding source, but it is not always feasible for every farm. Recycled manure solids can be a viable alternative for a mix of practical, economic and operational reasons.

Economic Update: HPAI returns to Texas, Utah

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:47:50 -0400

In the news affecting a dairy producer's bottom line the first week of June 2026: New HPAI cases found in Texas and Utah, farmer sentiment slips again due to high input costs, and the FARM Program released its 2026 drug residue prevention manual.

[Podcast] Performance By Design: Science-driven solutions for today’s calf raisers

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In this sponsorcast, IFF Animal Nutrition & Health highlights its science‑driven approach to helping calves start strong and perform predictably.

Heat and sun safety on the farm

krek0033@umn.edu — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Hot days and a blazing sun can be just as dangerous for the humans on the farm as it is for the livestock. There are many considerations for people to make while working out in the heat and sun, and they can make a big difference.

Betaine affects dairy herd health and performance during heat stress

gary@bioagsolutionsllc.com — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Betaine is a natural ingredient capable of dramatically affecting animal health and performance, specifically under increasing THI and heat stress-inducing conditions.

Class III-IV gap widens to largest spread since 2020

jenn@agproud.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:08:46 -0400

The May USDA Announcement of Class and Component Prices report is indicative of a milk market the U.S. dairy industry has not seen since 2020 as the gap between Class III and Class IV reached $5.40 per hundredweight (cwt), incentivizing depooling in Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs).

Data-driven work done right

creese@bovisync.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Most dairies collect a lot of information. But ask yourself this: Is that information helping you answer the questions that matter? If not, you are not really using your data. You’re just storing it. And there’s a big difference between the two.

Making time for the conversations that matter to improve farm safety

madelyne.vanderkooy@wsu.edu — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

One of the strongest returns on investment for any farm is proactive, effective communication about safety, which is a practice that protects valuable employees while sustaining performance.

[Podcast] What it takes to raise great heifers and build a winning team culture with Jason Shamburg and Nic Schoenberger

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Join host Kimmi Devaney as she chats with Jason Shamburg and Nic Schoenberger, founders and managing partners of Kansas Dairy Development (KDD), about raising dairy replacements and leading a dynamic, high-caliber team.

Case study: How a high-producing dairy herd cuts antibiotic use by 78%

gepalas@iastate.edu — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

For this herd, the opportunity wasn’t solving a visible problem, it was uncovering unnecessary cost. By using individual cow data to guide dry-off decisions, they reduced treatment, maintained herd performance and captured additional value.

Weekly Digest: Checkoff to celebrate National Cheese Day June 4

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:15:50 -0400

In the news related to dairy farming the first week of June 2026: The dairy checkoff brings "Body by Cheese" to life for National Cheese Day, U.S. dairy calls for action on Canadian dairy trade practices, and the FARM Program kicks off its annual Excellence Awards.

Why early lameness detection matters for reproductive performance

arnold.harbers@nedap.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Mildly lame cows, or those just starting to decline, often go unnoticed. This hidden group is where the real losses begin to accumulate, especially when it comes to reproduction.

AED initiative aims to provide training that could save lives

bchambers@dairywest.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In rural communities, emergency response times can be longer. Having an AED on-site can bridge that gap and give someone a fighting chance before help arrives. It’s an investment not just in your operation, but in your people, your family and your community.

April DMC margin reaches yearly high of $10.54 per cwt

jenn@agproud.com — Fri, 29 May 2026 17:10:21 -0400

The price for all key feedstuffs used to calculate the margin rose in April, revealing an income over feed cost of $10.54 per hundredweight (cwt), more than $1 above the highest coverage selection in Tier I and comfortably positioning those enrolled in the program in the clear of indemnity payments.

How computer vision, robotics and AI will quickly transform the dairy industry

cjenkins@standardnutrition.com — Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

AI and robotics will not replace good dairy managers, but they will increasingly reward operations that understand how to integrate data, adopt technology, automate consistently and focus human labor where judgment is crucial.

[Podcast] Dairy cow nutrition strategies in the era of supply chain disruptions

Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This episode examines how supply chain pressures and renewable diesel demand are influencing fat economics, while highlighting how different fatty acids affect intake, component efficiency, reproduction and overall return on investment.

A road map from basic recordkeeping to advanced financial analysis

stephanie.plaster@wisc.edu — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Recordkeeping is the foundation of good financial management. You can think of it like the soil in your fields. Accurate records allow for strong analysis, decision-making and profits to weather any storm our farms might experience.

DRMS Expands HerdHQ with RapidReports and BovineBio – Customizable Reports and Cow Views Now Available

Wed, 27 May 2026 10:21:50 -0400

DRMS announced the availability of RapidReports and BovineBio, two tools within the HerdHQ platform that are already being used by producers and consultants.

Continuing education for hoof trimming professionals

jwalker@kinderground.org — Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Continuing education for professional hoof trimming is more than just reading articles and sitting in meetings. Finding opportunities where your practices and habits are put to the test to sharpen your skill set is the type of practice that separates exceptional professional hoof trimmers from experienced ones.

The remarkable difference hyperimmunized colostrum makes

mwustenberg@immucell.com — Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

You may not be familiar with the term “hyperimmunized,” let alone use it in everyday conversation. Yet it is the most powerful tool to enrich colostrum and influence calf health and development.

April report on dairy cows culled for beef

audrey@agproud.com — Tue, 26 May 2026 08:07:12 -0400

Based on latest USDA monthly Livestock Slaughter data, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in April 2026 was estimated at 215,100.

[Podcast] Creating pregnancies in the heat with Ben Dickman

Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Ben Dickman of Dickman and Sons Dairy joins host Matti McBride in this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to discuss how he creates pregnancies in 110°F temperatures.

Foundation Watch: Leave a legacy behind

Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

There’s a certain sound that lives in the countryside. It’s not a song you hear on the radio, but one that settles into your bones over a lifetime. The value and assets dairy producers build over a lifetime can’t be taken with them, but they can be directed with a purpose.

May 25, 2026 Progressive Dairy digital magazine

Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The latest issue of Progressive Dairy magazine is available. To view, make sure you're logged into your agproud.com account. If you do not have access, click "Subscribe" in the top-right corner of agproud.com to add permission to view.

Consider new ways to tell your dairy story

kimmi@agproud.com — Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As National Dairy Month and all the festivities get underway, I encourage you to think about new ways you can connect with people outside of agriculture to showcase all that is great about the dairy industry. Cheers to a fun month celebrating cows, amazing people and delicious dairy products!

Facts, story time, tour and ice cream: How we're celebrating June Dairy Month

Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Not only is June a great time to indulge in numerous dairy treats, but it is also the perfect time for us to celebrate what we as dairy producers do throughout the year, as well as teach consumers about the dairy industry.

The Courage to Evolve: Good days and bad days

hwagner@wagnerfarmswi.com — Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

I think it is safe to say that all of us experience both good days and bad days.

The Milk House: Lessons from the streets

ryandennis@themilkhouse.org — Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Part of being on a farm in the last three or four decades, I would argue, is the feeling of being misunderstood – or worse, forgotten. The harder it became to make a living in the industry, the more it felt like no one cared. The sense of tribalism, at least my participation in it, was to reassure myself that there were others like me and my family and that we still mattered.