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When we started putting together this edition of Progressive Dairyman, I initially thought along the lines of the physical expansion of the dairy industry. Many producers have expanded operation size over the last several years as many others look at simi...
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USDA announces new BSE surveillance programThe U.S. Department of Agriculture will soon begin scaling back its surveillance program for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).
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ButterThe cash butter market is generally steady. Most butter producers state cream supplies have tightened. Some producers continue to seek additional volumes, while a few are willing to sell a portion of their cream supply to Class II operations.
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Editor’s Note: The following is the first of a three-part series which discusses labor issues for the progressive dairy.
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It’s a sad fact that many agricultural businesspeople have gotten too good at what they do. If this statement sounds wrong to you, examine the theory behind it. In many cases, producers have gotten better at producing, allowing their businesses to grow....
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Over the past 65 years, the number of dairy farms in the United States has decreased from approximately 4.5 million to 74,000. During the same period, the number of cows per dairy farm increased from five to 125. The total number of dairy cows in this cou...
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A 2003 Vermont study found approximately 50 percent of farms have at least one nonfamily employee. A Wisconsin study of farm characteristics found that 63 percent of Wisconsin dairy farms utilize only family labor. Regardless of which survey you’d like ...
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As much as dairy producers and their advisers may try to eliminate the risks associated with dairy expansions, it cannot be done. The key to a successful dairy expansion is to anticipate, reduce and control those risks. Developing a strategic business pla...
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Take care when constructing concrete walking areas for animals. Concrete serves dairy producers well as a material that is durable and economical. It can conform to irregular places and be given a surface that provides cattle adequate traction. Unfortunat...
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What will the dairy industry in the Southeast look like in 10 years? What will it look like in five years? I don’t pretend to know, but past history suggests the Southeast will continue to lose cow numbers and milk production. If current trends continue...
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Relocating or expanding a dairy facility is a process that requires a tremendous amount of time and planning. Owners or managers of dairies will go through a number of steps including:
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When there’s any excuse to visit Hawaii, most people take it. Dairy cattle and herd genetics broker Marty Mickelson used his excuse to visit the island four times one summer.
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Corn silage production has changed dramatically in the last decade. Dairy expansion, the development of new corn hybrids specifically selected for forage yield and quality and new ideas for production and management have changed the view of farmers regard...
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One of the longest nights in dairying is the night before opening a new silo. Questions like “Did I get the moisture right? Did I pack tightly? Did I chop at correct length?” are asked over and over until somehow we finally manage to fall asleep.
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The sign in the health food store in New Sydney, Wales, said, “Sheep Placenta – On Sale! Half Price!” It was also printed in Chinese. My first thought was, ‘Do they eat it? Rub it on? Make party favors of it? Kick it around like a soccer ball?’ ...
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When I was a little girl, my mother told me stories by the hour. They were wonderful stories that her grandmother had shared with her.
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The goal of making silage is to preserve forage nutrients for feeding at a later date. This is accomplished by the conversion (by fermentation) of plant sugars to organic acids. The resulting acidity effectively “pickles” the forage. Production of qua...
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Silage inoculant producer produces new website and handbookA new website and handbook, both devoted to forage information and research data, have been introduced by silage inoculant producer Lallemand Animal Nutrition.
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Bunker silos and drive-over piles offer several advantages for large dairy farms. Low initial cost, low maintenance, high storage capacity and rapid filling are common advantages over upright silos or silo bags. However, proper management of these structu...
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Culling is a fact of life in the dairy business. Cows become ill or get injured and must be removed from the producing herd. Low-producing and unprofitable animals are also routinely culled. It is important for dairy producers to understand the circumstan...
Re: purebred guernseys
Posted on Saturday, 08 June 2013 by Ron.Hello! Brooke I am an old retired beef cattle rancher living in...
Re: Les Hansen on crossbreeding: Video footage from 2013 World Ag Expo
Posted on Thursday, 30 May 2013 by Howard Whitmore.Les, Excellant data and explanation. It was the toughest decision I...
Re: HERd management: Tackling the tough questions
Posted on Tuesday, 28 May 2013 by Alison T.I appreciate this sane and thoughtful information. I've got a...