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It’s the middle of winter and your dairy cows have likely dealt with seasonal lameness this fall. This has probably led to lower production levels, weaker reproductive performance and a pile of bills for additional hoof trims, wrappings and other treatments.

On any farm, sometimes it is more about having “enough” employees than it is about having the “right” employees. Seeking out and hiring that quality person who possesses the optimal skill set, positive attitude and genuine work ethic you are striving for can feel like a daunting task.

Jennifer Walker is a former dairy veterinarian who is now the director of quality and care for Danone North America. She oversees Danone's milk quality and animal welfare programs for the 700 U.S. dairy farms that supply the company’s milk. In short, she says her job is to "make sure the cows are happy, and the milk is awesome."

Winter brings severe weather and cold temperatures that create hazards on your dairy. Snow, ice and sleet are unavoidable – but injuries are, so create a winter safety plan to be proactive about your dairy’s safety this winter.

“Jerseys or Holsteins?” The message initially sparked the interest of third-generation Holstein farmer, Isaac Hammock, though he never thought it would lead to marriage with his now wife, Katie Hammock.

A newborn calf is the most vulnerable animal on a dairy. Born with an immature immune system, the calf can’t effectively handle pathogen challenges in the environment until 3 to 4 weeks old. In the meantime, young calves are bombarded with a host of stressors and disease-causing pathogens. Dedicated animal husbandry and hygiene can help decrease the pathogen load, while feeding strategies can help build a gut barrier against disease and set calves on a path to healthy growth.