3. The hidden motivation of ‘never’

Published: Nov. 25, 2014

Summary: We reached out to Dagmar Beckel-Machyckova, the co-owner of Golden Calf Company LLC, and asked if we could reprint excerpts of a speech she made at the 2014 Women’s Business Conference in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

The resulting article was featured in our 2014 Women in Dairy issue. Dagmar had an incredible story of being raised in Prague, resolute in attending college in America and later becoming a citizen. She also shared her challenges of starting a business with her husband while raising their daughter.

Our favorite quote from her speech was, “So [the] next time you think to yourself, ‘I could never do that,’ take a step back and make sure you aren’t using the never as an excuse. See it for the motivation it really is. And rest assured that the things that missed you were never meant for you, and those that are meant for you will never miss you.”

4. Elm Farms’ new heifer facility includes unique open, covered housing design

Published: May 25, 2015 issue

Summary: We enjoyed reading the details of the heifer facility at Elm Farms Inc. in Illinois. Michelle Hasheider-Burianek and her father, Norbert Hasheider, wanted total comfort and “outdoor time” for their herd, but they were also concerned about meeting EPA requirements.

The resulting heifer facility is divided into 12 pens with the feed lane in front and bedded packs in back under separate roofs to keep rainwater out, while the herd traffic alley is open and flushes to the adjacent manure storage throughout the day.

The pens are double-gated, so heifers can be locked to the front when working with them or to the back when the pens are cleaned. This makes for a “one-person job,” Michelle said.

5. UAVs bring new perspective to precision agriculture and Livestock flight zone research lays groundwork for drone use

Published: Sept. 12, 2015 issue

Summary: You’ll notice on pg. 84 that our staff selected the cover image of this issue as our favorite, too. We felt that these two articles provided a comprehensive look at drone technology and what the future could hold. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) currently have uses in agriculture for crop scouting and herd monitoring.

One day, UAVs could be used to apply dewormers and fly repellent, said Dr. Marcy Beverly, an animal science professor at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Her research showed a safe flight zone of 15 feet for cows and heifers on pasture.

6. Hang your business plan above the toilet

Published: Nov. 7, 2014 issue

Summary: While the headline might not bring about the best mental image, the sentiment behind the statement bears considering. The best business plan should be one that is reviewed daily by everyone on your team.

“A business plan is like a map,” wrote the article’s author and management consultant Mark Andrew Junkin. “It helps you set your end destination and a route on how you are going to get there. If you get off-course, it helps you get back on track. When farming with multiple partners, everyone needs a one-page plan from which you navigate, or else you quickly get lost in the woods without a compass. A business plan is like a map that gets everyone pulling in the same direction.”

7. The myth of high-forage diets

Published: Nov. 7, 2014 issue

Summary: Paul Dyk, dairy technical service manager with Quality Liquid Feeds, wrote that “high-forage diet” has been the go-to catchphrase for the past decade. He presented four different diets and shared the challenges and opportunities for each of them. He urged producers to move to a ration that maintains a healthy cow and healthy rumen and increases profitability on the dairy.

8. Could dairy production become a ‘profession’?

Published: Aug. 7, 2015 issue

Summary: In this animal welfare-focused piece, University of British Columbia’s David Fraser makes the case that changes in terminology of dairying as a career could bring about changes in public perception.

He also says that by fostering and rewarding a higher level of skill, knowledge and dedication in employees who excel in animal care expectations, we can ensure a high standard of animal welfare.

9. Drinking whole milk and eating butter: Is it OK now?

Published: Oct. 1, 2014 issue

Summary: Retired dairy cooperative CEO Calvin Covington detailed the 2014 reports and research findings about the benefits of fat in the diet. Covington says those reports came after scientists recognized flaws in original 1950s research by Dr. Ancel Benjamin Keys that linked saturated fat consumption and heart disease.

Those who accepted Keys’ research and advocated for a low-fat diet expected that the American population would replace butter, milk and red meat with fruit and vegetables. Instead, our population consumes more grains, pasta and starchy vegetables.

While the debate will likely continue, Covington says new research indicates that while saturated fat increases LDL cholesterol levels (associated with heart disease), it also raises good HDL cholesterol, which takes away LDL.

10. The View from Here: In The Field

Published: May 7, 2015 issue

Summary: This issue featured the end of an era for one of our regular columnists, Mike Gangwer, who authored “The View from Here” for more than 20 years. Walt Cooley thanked Gangwer in that same issue’s editorial, saying, “Most impressive is that his run has been consecutive, with a column in every issue. Few authors are able to keep the pace Mike does – both in writing and in a foot race. (Mike is an avid marathon runner.)”

Gangwer is an agricultural scientist and often wrote about his adventures abroad with USDA programs in foreign countries. Even if you hadn’t followed his columns from the beginning, his final submission will likely bring a tear to your eye.  PD