In her first year of dairy consulting, Emory Bewley learned the classroom and the farm are two different forms of education. This gap is something most young dairy professionals often face – technical knowledge sets the foundation, but everything else is learned on the farm.

Progressive Dairy connected with Demetrio Bautista Ortiz, a hoof care consultant with Save Cows Network, to discuss on-farm training, employee engagement and creating a support network for improved hoof health on U.S. dairy farms.

The decision to invest in a new automated milking barn represents a significant step toward modernizing your operation. With it comes the opportunity for enhanced efficiency, improved cow welfare and higher revenues. The success of a project hinges on meticulous planning that considers the intricate interplay among numerous factors.

A strong profit team can be the key to taking control of your farm’s success, no matter the size. With the right people at the table and a clear plan in place, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your business goals.

It pays to get the most out of farm meetings because animal well-being and productivity are usually involved. Whether discussing nutrition plans, health protocols, farm management strategies and more, our experiences point to one overarching factor that maximizes meeting time: preparation.

With multiple data sources collected in a single platform, dairy producer Allan Kutz is able to see more information in less time. In particular, he is better able to see how his fresh cows are performing by days in milk (DIM).

Trust. It’s the glue that holds together the relationship between the bank and the borrower. And just like any other relationship, trust can take years to build through communication, setting expectations and following through.

Here is an unarguable fact: A high-functioning and effective farm team – with all team members in alignment and focused on achieving established farm goals – has a distinct competitive advantage over a farm that operates without a team.