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Since the last edition was produced two months ago, there has been a noticeable change to the landscape around my house. I have had to uncover the lawn mower and have been through a few sprayers full of weed killer. We are set to till the garden this week...
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WestfaliaSurge, GmbH acquires J. Houle & Fils Inc.WestfaliaSurge announced recently the acquisition of J. Houle & Fils Inc., a manufacturer of livestock manure-handling equipment in North America. Houle will operate independently as a sister company to We...
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The National Compost Dairy Barn Conference is for anyone interested in current research and producer experiences with this housing system for dairy cows. The program will also include topics related to compost science and marketing.
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Business studies show that the average dissatisfied customer complains to 10 others. We don’t know how many people a neighbor to your dairy might complain to, but you can bet negative opinions will spread. That’s why it’s important to your business ...
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On July 31st, several of the provisions of the current Clean Water Act – Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) rules will change. Most of these changes came as a result of a lawsuit in 2005 where a federal appeals court struck down several of the...
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Animal manure has long been recognized as a source of nutrients for crops. The effluent and solid waste generated from livestock operations can be used in agricultural fields to supply nutrients to crops and improve soil chemical and physical properties. ...
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It began just over 10 years ago as a way for local dairyman John Reitsma to deal with an excess of manure and nutrients his herd was producing. With its humble beginning in Jerome, Idaho, Magic Valley Compost has grown to become one of the largest compost...
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Bulking materials and carbon sourcesThe ratio of carbon to nitrogen in feedstocks is an important consideration in optimizing the composting process. Composting high nitrogen materials like manure and food scraps requires the addition of a carbon source i...
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The composting processComposting is the aerobic decomposition of manure or other organic materials in the thermophilic temperature range (104º to 149ºF). The composted material is odorless, fine-textured and low-moisture. It can be bagged and sold for u...
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Regular monitoring of structures, equipment and other critical control points and thorough record keeping is essential on all animal feeding operations. It is your best insurance against accidental discharges, and in the event of a compliance inspection, ...
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This national shortcourse is being offered by the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. The course is scheduled for May 21-22, 2007 at the Hotel Fort Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa.
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An emergency response plan provides a roadmap to help you act if a manure runoff event or other emergency occurs at your livestock facility. While plans are only required in limited cases, such as the livestock facility siting rules, there are good reason...
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There are a variety of dangerous situations and accidents that can occur on a farm. The National Safety Council rates the three most dangerous occupations in the United States as mining, farming and construction. Not being prepared for emergencies could r...
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Diversified farming has always been considered a legitimate alternative for farmers and ranchers. Midwestern farmers have done well using corn, soybeans and a pen of feeder steers.
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How easy it is to lose track of what is truly important in life! Recently, I found myself squabbling over procedures and protocols with a colleague. We both had contrasting opinions about how something should be done. In the middle of arguing about who ...
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DFA idles New Mexico cheese plantDairy Farmers of America Inc. (DFA) recently announced its Lovington, New Mexico, cheese plant has been idled. The plant has been jointly owned and operated by DFA and the Greater Southwest Agency.
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Editor’s note: The following are available market reports and futures data as of April 20, 2007.
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Management is defined as the use of people and other resources to accomplish objectives. Management by necessity involves the creation of an environment in which people can use other resources to reach stated goals of the organization.
It also involves t...
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U.S. farmers must make a host of decisions relating to their farms’ operations, including what to grow, when to grow it, in what quantities and by what methods. Often overlooked in this calculation, but factoring heavily in the diversity of U.S. farms a...
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As a dairy producer, you are faced with a dilemma: feed price increases typically precede milk price increases. That means your profitability and margins on your milk are squeezed when feed prices go up. Eventually, the higher input costs typically transl...
Re: Free traffic vs. directed-cow traffic in robotic milking barns
Posted on Friday, 17 May 2013 by Jeff B.I quote "In addition, in directed-cow traffic the selection gate should...
Re: Raw milk bill killed twice in Montana Senate
Posted on Tuesday, 14 May 2013 by Laura.Montana small herd producers, tell your Congresspeople to KISS! Idaho...
Re: Five-day E. coli treatment of gram-negative mastitis largely garners favor
Posted on Thursday, 02 May 2013 by IDLaura.Idaho has a Small Herd Exemption program where we can sell...