The secret to this dairy’s success lies in their communication with one another.

There’s a lot of buzz around renewable natural gas (RNG) as a means for dairy farmers to diversify revenue while improving their carbon footprints. For many operators, it can be a particularly attractive option, especially given the current market and economic conditions.

We’ve learned a lot about how essential fatty acids (EFAs) work since they were first introduced to the dairy market more than 20 years ago.

Every dairy has the intent to care for its cattle in the best ways possible. Producers entrust a team of employees to execute their plan to care for the animals and it is the responsibility of the management team to verify the plan is effective and being carried out every day.

Whether joining a peer group or building an advisory board for your farm, dairy producers are finding value in learning from other producers and business owners facing similar challenges and seeing their businesses from new perspectives.

Heat stress occurs when an animal generates and absorbs more heat than it can dissipate through respiration, sweating or active cooling. Rumination generates large amounts of heat, so when a cow is hot, her first response is typically to eat less feed.

Every dairy includes some level of fat in the cow’s diet, whether specifically formulated in or not. While we are well acquainted with the various sources both natural and commercial, the roles that various fat sources, fat components (fatty acids) and fat combinations play in the animal, in terms of production, health and reproduction, still need a great deal of work.