Locomotion and hock scores, along with resting time, are indicators of the quality of the lying surface and bedding choice. With many bedding options available, this article provides recommendations for how to optimize each of them to improve cow comfort.

I was getting ready to go out on the town the other day, and Mrs. Faber was not impressed with my attire.

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.