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Compost-bedded pack barns have grown in popularity in many areas of the world as an alternative to stall-based housing systems for dairy cows. Compost-bedded pack barns are loose housing barns that rely on composting manure and organic bedding to provide resting space.

Dairy producers across the country may receive higher premiums for their milk if they work to have a low somatic cell count (SCC), minimal cases of mastitis and minimize unnecessary antibiotic use. There are many ways to monitor these items on farms.

A USDA Agricultural Marketing Service comment period on a proposal to amend the National Organic Program’s (NOP) “origin of livestock” requirements for dairy animals under federal organic regulations closed on Dec. 2, 2019.

While a great many dairy producers are breeding their lower-end cows to beef bulls, that might not be your best option, according to Dr. Dan Schaefer, professor and former chair of animal sciences at the University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. He has been researching Holstein steers since 1982.

Serving on boards, both in the dairy industry and beyond, allows dairy professionals to personally impact their communities and shape the future of the industry. For many dairy producers, board representation provides an avenue to expand their voices and develop mutually beneficial networking relationships.

Calfhood pneumonia can be frustrating to deal with. Understanding where the problem originates is the first step in creating a plan to combat it. Most cases of calfhood pneumonia can be placed into one of two broad categories: environmental causes and contagious causes.