Addressing dairy sustainability goals through a comprehensive and holistic approach and taking into consideration the entire operation as the active unit mitigating environmental impact is the ultimate way to ensure all initiatives fulfill the true definition of sustainability.

On Nov. 19,1863, Abraham Lincoln stood looking over the rows and rows of crosses commemorating the graves of over 50,000 soldiers; he must have been overwhelmed at the sight. More than 50,000 lives of American soldiers from the North and the South: fathers, sons, husbands, brothers, uncles and cousins who loved freedom.

While lab-grown, or “cultured,” meat has been studied since the 1950s, research and investment in the field has grown exponentially since the turn of the millennium.

I grew up on an 80-cow Holstein dairy family farm cropping corn, alfalfa, soybeans and wheat in eastern Iowa. I am putting the animal science (2005) and DVM (2009) degrees I earned at Iowa State to good use by focusing on the basics of cattle husbandry.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Jamie Sullivan of Rippleview Hoof Care joins host Matti McBride to discuss hoof care. Learn how Sullivan got his start in hoof trimming, his take on misconceptions surrounding lameness, tips for detecting lameness, the importance of a designated trim area and more.

I’ve been blessed to know many successful farmers, entrepreneurs and business leaders who always seemed to be a step ahead of the herd. What are the common threads among these folks? What core set of traits did they share? I came up with three traits and one overarching theme.

Milking automation represents not only a technological advancement but a fundamental shift in dairy farm management. While automation simplifies processes, the human touch remains indispensable. Successfully managing employees requires finding the right balance between leveraging the power of technology and nurturing a supportive, engaged work environment.

Quarterly average prices in October hit a new all-time high of $2,600 per head according to estimates from the USDA.

Running a multigenerational family business is no small feat. Passing on a successful operation where multiple generations are motivated to work, take risks and raise their families is yet another feat. But each is possible, even highly likely, by following this blueprint for motivating the next generation.