In the mid-to-late 2000s, dwindling university dairy herds and dairy programs in the Southwest led Dr. Mike Tomaszewski from Texas A&M and Dr. Robert Hagevoort from New Mexico State University (NMSU), along with Dr. Bob Collier, previously with the University of Arizona, to develop a program that provides university students with a hands-on dairy education to prepare them for careers in the dairy industry.

As dairy farms grow and evolve, so do their milking parlor and technology needs. While many farms start with basic systems, as herds grow and milk production increases, the time may come when upgrades and retrofits are necessary.

That newborn calf looks pretty helpless nestled down in that clean, fresh straw. But don’t let looks deceive. She’s a powerhouse of genetics and opportunity just waiting to demonstrate her potential.

In order to stay abreast – or surpass – your competition, you need to effectively manage data to continue to make the most of your resources.

Is labor a challenge? Could you be more consistent with your milking process or milk cows more efficiently?

It takes a surround-sound approach to protect and enhance dairy’s relevancy with youth and their parents in these ever-changing times. The checkoff is answering with a fresh approach.