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Current Progressive Dairy digital edition

1. Market Watch: Cattle: (Organizations); Click a link below to see updates on Cattle from a specific issue of Progressive Dairyman. 2020 Issue 2, 2020: January 19, 2020 Issue 1, 2020: January 1, 2020 2019 Issue 20, 2019: December 12, ...; Created on 16 October 2019
2. Automation doesn’t scare off Corner View Farm: (People); Brad Biehl’s bedding robot is smart. But then so is his autonomous feed pusher, robotic milker, automated calf feeder and other robots. Biehl has a lot of automation, perhaps the most of any dairy ...; Created on 30 September 2016
3. Dairy’s safety net not robust, certainly not a bailout: (From the Editor); It started with a press release from the USDA titled “USDA Announces Safety Net Assistance for Milk Producers Due to Tightening Dairy Margins.” In it, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced about $11.2 ...; Created on 29 September 2016
4. InFocus: Sweet, Bitter, Salty, Sour, Savory: (Industry News); Did you know? Cows have the ability to recognize these basic tastes: New research from Penn State University found cows do like some flavors more than others. Researchers presented 16 lactating Holstein ...; Created on 29 September 2016
5. InFocus: Cheese stocks in perspective: (Industry News); The volume of natural cheese in cold storage has attracted a great deal of scrutiny in recent months, garnering attention among industry and political leaders, on social media and late-night talk shows. ...; Created on 29 September 2016
6. Innovation Center strategy: The right plan at the right time: (Organizations); This is a very pivotal time for U.S. dairy. People want to know more about the foods they eat. We have a great story to share – but only if we seize the opportunity to connect consumers with dairy farmers ...; Created on 29 September 2016
7. Rain didn’t put a damper on annual Chick Day event: (Event Coverage); About 100 women arrived at Legacy Farms in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, for the Vita Plus Chick Day on Friday, Aug. 19. After the rain clouds parted, the day began with a short history of the farm. The Schloneger ...; Created on 29 September 2016
8. New dairy ‘era’ will require bold actions by producers: (Management); Until recently, it was generally accepted that milk prices ran on a three-year cycle: one year of moderate prices followed by a year of very strong prices and then a year of weak milk prices. This ...; Created on 29 September 2016
9. Marketing milk when there is too much to go around: (Management); Earlier this summer (well, it was winter down under) an Australian milk processor terminated the contracts of several dairy farmers because of an oversupply of milk. The processor cited the global supply ...; Created on 29 September 2016
10. What’s new with the IRS for 2016?: (Management); There are two very generous tax breaks business owners have relied upon: bonus depreciation and Section 179 expensing. For those unfamiliar with what these are, bonus depreciation currently allows business ...; Created on 29 September 2016
11. Farmer-specific claiming strategies of Social Security: (Management); As a farmer, chances are you’ve had the conversation of Social Security with your accountant, attorney or financial adviser, both during the early years of your business and today as you get closer to ...; Created on 29 September 2016
12. To hedge or not to hedge – that is the question: (Management); As a CPA, I am often asked about dairy milk hedging strategies, particularly “to hedge or not to hedge.” There are many ways to answer this question, but the most common answer is: “It depends.” And hedging ...; Created on 29 September 2016
13. Solid consultant/client relationships: What do they have in common?: (Management); I was recently asked what I thought were among the key ingredients of a long-term and substantive consulting relationship between a dairy producer and his or her adviser(s). The person asking the question ...; Created on 29 September 2016
14. Learning and improvement are essential success ingredients: (Management); Our K-12 and college students are well into another year of their education. You will soon see announcements for winter educational sessions. In this article, we stop and reflect on “learning.” In order ...; Created on 29 September 2016
15. Why marketing is like mountaineering: (Management); Does marketing ever seem like an uphill battle? If you’re not equipped to climb the market’s peaks or navigate its valleys, marketing will always seem tougher than it needs to be. Following certain ...; Created on 29 September 2016
16. Is your wage worth your employees?: (Management); One of the first questions I typically receive when I mention to farms that I am a labor management consultant is, “Am I paying my employees enough?” It is no secret that starting rates, pay structures ...; Created on 29 September 2016
17. Get to know the six dimensions of enterprising families: (Management); There is a saying that goes something like this: “When you are up to your ‘you-know-what’ in alligators, it is hard to remember that the original plan was just to drain the swamp.” It is the same with ...; Created on 29 September 2016
18. Avoid the execution trap: (Management); Three key components of any successful team are its people, strategies and execution. For Jack Harkins, many teams focus too much time on execution. Among his many interests, Harkins, of Harkins Leadership ...; Created on 28 September 2016
19. Just watch, video conferencing will be a game-changer: (Management); I hope you read the article “How dairy consultants might use video consulting more in the future” in the Sept. 12 issue of Progressive Dairyman. While I was quoted in the article, I would like to add a ...; Created on 28 September 2016
20. Karen Jordan: Small-herd owner, big-time responsibility: (People); Get to know the dairywoman leading the FARM program’s technical writing group Dusting off a plaque presented by Dairymen Inc., Karen Jordan, DVM, recalled the competition her co-op held for younger dairymen ...; Created on 28 September 2016
21. Cinnamon Ridge Farm seeks out smartphone hacks for help on the farm: (People); John and Joan Maxwell of Donahue, Iowa, operate Cinnamon Ridge Farm. They milk about 220 cows with robotics, operate 4,000 acres, make their own cheese on-site and host thousands of visitors annually. ...; Created on 28 September 2016
22. Technology turns Brooks’ tractor cab into mobile office: (People); If you are looking for dairyman and crop farmer Ron Brooks, there is a good chance you will find him in his “office.” “I’ve got a great view from my office,” Brooks says. “It changes with every pass.” ...; Created on 28 September 2016
23. 50 years and counting: The continuing Hetts family legacy at World Dairy Expo: (Event Coverage); As World Dairy Expo celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2016, the name Allen Hetts will be mentioned over and over again. More than any other person, Hetts, along with a small, passionate group of Wisconsin ...; Created on 28 September 2016
24. ‘Been There, Be There’: The creation of the World Dairy Expo 50th Anniversary painting: (Event Coverage); Larry Schultz has painted hundreds, if not thousands, of cows in his career as an artist specializing in agricultural scenes, so asking him to comment on one of his subjects might not always yield an impassioned ...; Created on 27 September 2016
25. World Dairy Expo new products: Technologies introduced: (Products & Services); Looking for the latest products and technologies to manage your dairy? Get a sneak peek at the innovations on display at World Dairy Expo here. KEY EH – Exhibition Hall MC – Coliseum, Main Concourse ...; Created on 27 September 2016
26. World Dairy Expo new products: Building and barn supplies: (Products & Services); ClearSpan’s new dairy building modernizes dairy production ClearSpan Fabric Structures recently revealed a new structural solution, the Dairy Building. The structure is outfitted with the dairy industry’s ...; Created on 27 September 2016
27. World Dairy Expo new products: Animal health/pharmaceuticals: (Products & Services); Imrestor immune restorative Introducing Imrestor (pegbovigrastim injection) – the first-of-its-kind immune restorative for periparturient dairy cows and heifers, available only by veterinary prescription. ...; Created on 27 September 2016
28. World Dairy Expo new products: Calf and heifer housing and supplies: (Products & Services); Golden Calf Company introduces new colostrum pasteurizer The newest colostrum pasteurizer will be launching at World Dairy Expo. With built-in smart technology, this pasteurizer will text its users to ...; Created on 27 September 2016
29. World Dairy Expo new products: Farm Implements and equipment: (Products & Services); Fritsch introduces Power Bedding Groomer New from Fritsch, the Power Bedding Groomer is designed to groom cattle freestalls using deep bedding. After a single pass, it breaks up hard, compressed chunks ...; Created on 27 September 2016
30. World Dairy Expo new products: Feed and feed additives: (Products & Services); Bolifor MGP+ and Bolifor Mag33 magnesium supplements Yara Animal Nutrition is introducing two new magnesium supplements to the North American feed market. The main advantages of Bolifor MGP+ and Bolifor ...; Created on 27 September 2016
31. World Dairy Expo new products: Feed and manure equipment: (Products & Services); Portable manure separator ideal for concentrated operations The Plug and Play Portable Manure Separator by Bauer North America is a space-saving option for farms with high animal density but limited distribution ...; Created on 27 September 2016
32. World Dairy Expo new products: Milking equipment and supplies: (Products & Services); Evolution X1 increases milking speed without increasing vacuum levels Evolution X1 by Conewango combines gentle, low vacuum with high-milking-speed design. This liner is ideal for dairy producers who want ...; Created on 27 September 2016
33. How far off are we from global somatic cell count standards?: (Management); One of the unique disadvantages for the U.S. dairy industry in international dairy markets is the standard for milk quality. The specific standard allowed for somatic cell count (SCC) is a barrier for ...; Created on 27 September 2016
34. Quality and engagement: Two sides of the same coin: (Management); High-quality milk is the ultimate goal of any dairy operation. Normal milk from high-producing cows is composed of water, fat, protein, sugars, minerals and other additional trace components. The quality ...; Created on 27 September 2016
35. Fate led vet from Los Angeles to studying mastitis: (Management); Jessica Scillieri Smith grew up wanting to become a veterinarian so badly she was determined to get into any vet school right out of high school. A friend recommended she apply to the University of Vermont ...; Created on 27 September 2016
36. Making milk taste good: Analyzing the factors that impact milk quality and taste: (Management); Every dairy farmer knows that high-quality, pleasant-tasting milk can’t come from unhealthy cows. Keeping cows healthy is the first, best step toward milk with a sweet, clean taste. Having healthy cows ...; Created on 27 September 2016
37. Developments in robotic teat sprayers cut costs and labor: (Management); From 25 milliliters of teat dip to 12 milliliters. From two manual positions to one. These are the improvements VDS Farms in Fulton, Michigan, made after installing pre- and post-milking robots in their ...; Created on 27 September 2016
38. How I Work: A day in the life of a quality milk specialist: (Management); Here’s the story of a typical day for a quality milk specialist, whose alarm clock is her daughter, Sophia, softly crying from her crib at 4:30 a.m. when she’s ready to be fed. I prepare for my ...; Created on 27 September 2016
39. Make better decisions with mastitis grading chart: (Management); The dairy industry is conditioned to grab a tube and treat every case of mastitis that comes along. But in reality, all mastitis cases are not created equal, and treating all cases the same can mean you’re ...; Created on 27 September 2016
40. Dry-off protocols: Why taking the time to do it right matters: (Management); One of the highest risk periods for mastitis in a cow’s life is the period just after it is dried off. Bacteria enter the mammary gland when the teat canal is open, and in the period just after dry-off ...; Created on 27 September 2016
41. One farm’s critical milk quality analysis: (Management); One day late in June, one farm did what others may be too scared to have happen. It let 20 outside individuals conduct a walk-through of the dairy to make observations related to milk quality and to troubleshoot ...; Created on 27 September 2016
42. Team up fatty acids for optimum production performance: (Feed & Nutrition); Over the last few decades, numerous advances in the dairy industry have allowed lactating dairy cows to produce greater quantities of higher-quality milk than ever before. In 1980, researchers reported ...; Created on 27 September 2016
43. Ration-balancing sophistication: It’s not crude protein and energy anymore: (Feed & Nutrition); Most dairy nutritionists have different philosophies when it comes to dairy cow ration formulation. But we can all agree on one thing: It’s not just crude protein and net energy of lactation anymore. Dairy ...; Created on 27 September 2016
44. Fresh cow nutrition is still a work in progress: (Feed & Nutrition); Feeding fresh cows has been an ongoing challenge for the dairy industry for many years, especially since the national average for a single lactation is over 22,000 pounds and climbing. That means a ...; Created on 27 September 2016
45. The ups and downs of silage digestibility: (Feed & Nutrition); Depending upon how much silage inventory carryover your farm has on hand, you may be looking at making the switch to new-crop corn silage very soon, if you haven’t already. When making these transitions, ...; Created on 27 September 2016
46. Fiber confusion: Forage analysis for producers: (Feed & Nutrition); Fiber continues to be a key nutrient in the dairy rations of high-producing cows. Forages are the main source of fiber that may be raised on the dairy farm. But quality can vary greatly from crop to crop ...; Created on 27 September 2016
47. The common denominator: leaky gut syndrome: (Feed & Nutrition); “What do heat stress in dairy cows and ketosis have in common? Leaky gut syndrome (LGS),” Lance Baumgard, professor of animal science at Iowa State University, says. “The origin of heat stress issues ...; Created on 27 September 2016
48. Soil health versus farm health – there’s a difference: (Feed & Nutrition); As of late, the term “soil health” seems unavoidable. The topic has been the center of a flurry of activity resulting in partnerships, institutions, initiatives and networks. Confusion is added through ...; Created on 27 September 2016
49. Maximize value of on-farm high-moisture corn grain products: (Feed & Nutrition); In many parts of North America, there can be a surplus of whole-plant corn acres left over for corn grain harvesting once the silage tonnage requirements are met. For dairy and beef operations, this ...; Created on 27 September 2016
50. Automatic rotary parlor milks more cows in less time at Gracemar Farms: (People); The owners of Gracemar Farms prefer to be hands-on operators. Even as the farm continues to grow in size, they maintain active roles in the farm’s daily tasks. For example, John Kampman milks the entire ...; Created on 23 September 2016
51. Parlor automation continues to make advancements: (Barns & Equipment); In the last few years, a number of automatic teat dipping and spraying technologies have been introduced to the dairy industry. In the midst of the early adoption phase, Progressive Dairyman reached out ...; Created on 23 September 2016
52. 10 considerations when planning a large robotic dairy: (Barns & Equipment); I feel I’m living the dream when I help producers realize theirs. I have been fortunate to be involved in some of the world’s largest robotic dairies, most notably Fundo El Risquillo in Chile, which boasts ...; Created on 23 September 2016
53. Milk cooling not meeting your needs? Maybe it’s time for a change: (Barns & Equipment); A milk cooling system is an essential element of any dairy operation. There is no way around it; if you milk cows, you need a milk cooling system, as it decreases the chance for bacteria growth in milk. ...; Created on 23 September 2016
54. Does milking hose diameter matter in good cow milking?: (Barns & Equipment); Have you ever asked yourself or been asked the age-old question: Does the milking hose diameter really affect the way cows milk out, or does it improve parlor efficiency? Before we determine the answer ...; Created on 23 September 2016
55. Best on farm fix: Office manager finds quick fix for temperature charts: (Barns & Equipment); After fielding numerous complaints from the fieldman about the state of the milk house temperature wheel charts, Marge Pavlat from Casco, Wisconsin, decided it was time to find a solution. “The fieldman ...; Created on 23 September 2016
56. How to improve animal welfare in the milking parlor: (Barns & Equipment); Animal welfare in the milking parlor is one piece of the bigger picture of how improving cow comfort and removing barriers to production can increase milk production efficiency and profitability on your ...; Created on 23 September 2016
57. Large farms must overcome learning curve in milking with robots: (Barns & Equipment); Early adopters of automatic milking systems have primarily been farms with 240 cows or less. According to Jack Rodenburg of DairyLogix, there are “probably less than 60 dairies worldwide with more than ...; Created on 23 September 2016
58. Are milking robots right for me?: (Barns & Equipment); Having been involved with robotic milking since early 2002, I have experienced many success stories regarding robotic milking. During that time, I have also seen farms that have struggled and questioned ...; Created on 23 September 2016
59. Mechanics Corner: New mobile apps make parts ordering easy: (Barns & Equipment); As we’ve seen with so many industries, technology continues to evolve within the agricultural equipment industry each and every day. And today, whether you’re in the field or at home, you can now quickly ...; Created on 23 September 2016
60. HERD Management: There is more than one way to dairy farm: (Guest Blog); I have been blogging and using social media to share my farm story for quite a few years now. When I first started, I knew there were going to be people who didn’t like what I had to say or didn’t agree ...; Created on 23 September 2016
61. Reflections after nearly 50 years of farming: (Guest Blog); In 1968, I started as a dairy farmer with my father in a first-generation dairy farm in the Netherlands. Since then, I’ve experienced a lot of changes in my life. Societies have changed from local ...; Created on 23 September 2016
62. The Milk House: Bad principles: (Ryan Dennis); When I was in junior high, our school principal showed up drunk at a basketball game. He shouted at the referees over a bad call, calling the decision “asinine.” When they gave him a warning, he told them ...; Created on 23 September 2016
63. The Manure Spreader: Job interview: (Tim Moffett); Statistics show the average person changes careers five to seven times in a lifetime. I couldn’t find any statistics on how many job titles a farmer has in one day. One particular rough Tuesday, I was ...; Created on 23 September 2016
64. Test your knowledge with World Dairy Expo trivia: (Organizations); Since its beginning in 1966, World Dairy Expo has grown to become one of the best trade shows and dairy cattle expositions around the globe. How much do you know about this place where people and cows ...; Created on 23 September 2016
65. The data dilemma – now and in the future: (Management); Most of the producers I work with on a daily basis have dreams and clear goals for the future of their operations. This may include milk production benchmarks, income over feed cost targets, gains in reproduction ...; Created on 22 September 2016
66. Shredlage considerations: What to expect: (Feed & Nutrition); An increasing number of dairy farmers across the country have been switching from conventional silage chopping to a newer process known as shredlage. The shredlage processor rips the forage longitudinally, ...; Created on 22 September 2016
67. Comparing barley silage with corn silage: (Feed & Nutrition); Recently, researchers at the department of animal and poultry science, University of the Saskatchewan, have completed a dairy milk production trial. This research is part of Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s ...; Created on 22 September 2016
68. On the Edge of Common Sense: Branded: (Baxter Black); Many’s the time I’ve come home with yellow paint on my coveralls. Caterpillar yellow – spot it a mile away. We used it to mark our cull cows. Two paint brands we’d borrowed from the sheepherders were dipped ...; Created on 22 September 2016
69. Behind the scenes of World Dairy Expo: (People); From the folding seats of World Dairy Expo’s iconic Coliseum, spectators watch the procession of beautiful cows glide across the colored shavings as they compete for top honors in the international show. ...; Created on 21 September 2016
70. Cooperatives Working Together settles ‘herd retirement’ lawsuit for $52 million: (Industry News); Lawyers representing the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and major dairy cooperatives ended five years of litigation surrounding the “herd retirement” component of the Cooperatives Working Together ...; Created on 12 September 2016
71. U.S. lawmakers seek Canadian dairy policy investigation: (Industry News); Two U.S. lawmakers representing major U.S. dairy states, U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), have called on Obama Administration leaders to review new Canadian trade policies ...; Created on 01 September 2016
72. 5 things your milk tester wants you to know: (Herd Health); When she was offered the full-time milk tester job in high school, Becky Cook from Blackfoot, Idaho, turned it down. Little did she know that years down the road she would find herself milk testing for ...; Created on 08 August 2016
73. If you give a kid a halter: (Guest Blog); If you give a kid a halter, he’ll ask for a calf. Because who wants to jump rope with a halter? It’s best used to walk a calf around. If you give a kid a calf, he’ll ask for some feed. After all, calves ...; Created on 29 July 2016
74. Six ways Grand View Dairy maintains a somatic cell count of 85,000: (People); Producing the highest quality milk is a top priority for Grand View Dairy, and the numbers prove that to be true. “Somatic cell count has been about 85,000 for the last two years,” Jackie Schnackel ...; Created on 28 July 2016
75. Five steps to mastitis treatment decisions that will save you money: (Herd Health); Mastitis is the most common disease and the leading cause for antibiotic use on dairy farms. Due to consumer demand, antibiotic use is becoming more scrutinized in animal agriculture. This year at the ...; Created on 20 July 2016
76. Preventing the hunchback dairyman: (Barns & Equipment); Every milking parlor is unique in its configuration (i.e., herringbone, parallel, rotary or other variations), staffing levels, milking routine, shift duration, milking equipment and tools (i.e., cluster ...; Created on 13 July 2016