It’s no surprise that heifer survivability is 1 of 10 drivers that can affect net farm income. While treating a few cases of calfhood pneumonia every now and again may not seem like a big problem, these costs go beyond treatment and can accumulate over the lifetime of a dairy animal. Young heifers have a big job ahead of them as future members of the milking herd, and a case of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) during their first few months of life can quickly close the window of opportunity for reaching their full potential. 

In the Economic Update, the Class I base price hits two-year high in October, fluid milk sales continue upward trend, and the USDA launches an assistance network to support financially distressed farmers.

Seventeen states including Wisconsin, New Mexico, Minnesota and Arizona reduced production a combined 233 million pounds.

Dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in August lowest since 2020.

Effective manure agitation is the key to an even application of nutrients for the greatest benefit of crops. Consistency in your slurry provides an even mixture of nutrients across the field, and the breakdown of suspended solids allows you to clear the whole lagoon.