Progressive Dairy

January 19, 2025 Progressive Dairy digital magazine

January 19, 2025

2024 has laid the groundwork for a promising new year in U.S. dairy exports

U.S. dairy exports forged ahead in 2024 in part due to the fostering of key partnerships. Those relations take years to establish and set the stage for the industry’s future.

January 7, 2025

Jenn Coyne

Last year marked an unexpected, yet fulfilling, time for U.S. dairy exports as demand for U.S. product soared in 2024, reaching record levels. Such success is due in part to established and emerging global markets for U.S. dairy.

The underdiscussed trade barrier threatening U.S. cheese exports

Global demand for cheese continues to grow, but U.S. dairy exporters face political hurdles as the European Union restricts common food names.

January 10, 2025

Tony Rice

America’s dairy farmers supply milk for some of the of the highest-quality cheeses in the world – made by our world-class cheesemakers. U.S.-produced Parmesan, feta, Asiago and other specialty cheeses regularly best European competitors at international competitions (if they are allowed to compete), earning American cheesemakers loyal consumer bases all around the globe.

Checkoff Watch: Checkoff elevating dairy to the center of food culture

December 31, 2024

The culinary world is buzzing with the latest food trends – TikTok recipes, fusion dishes and celebrity chefs putting their stamp on everything from burgers to breakfast bowls. But behind every trend, there is a timeless player: dairy. Whether it is the rich decadence of cream, the sharp tang of cheese or the creamy delight of a milkshake, dairy has remained a staple of food culture for generations.

Buy your employee a cow: Empowering your team for long-term success

December 24, 2024

Ester de Groot

This time of year offers a unique opportunity for reflection – both looking back at the successes and challenges of the past year and setting your sights on the future. It's a moment to evaluate your business from all angles and ensure it’s aligned with your long-term goals.

The secret sauce of successful farms

Common characteristics among top-tier farms include having a shared vision and set of values, staying focused on goals, practicing accountability, avoiding procrastination, building trust within their team and effectively managing data to make management decisions.

January 1, 2025

Tim Schaefer

Sometimes, we look at neighboring farms that seem to have a secret sauce to their success. They make success look easy. They get a lot of work done. But just like great barbecue, there are no shortcuts and no single secret sauce. Success on these top-tier farms is a series of repeatable elements that work together.

Make 2025 the year of cash flow budgeting and projected earnings

While the cash flow answers the questions of when, where and how will cash move in your business, the earnings statement addresses how profitable your business is.

January 16, 2025

Brad Guse

During the farm crisis of the 1980s, the term “cash flow is king” drove home the importance of using cash flow to pay debt. That’s still important as we continue to ride the cycles of the industry, but a projection of earnings is equally important. As the calendar transitions to 2025, diving into the question of “why both?” becomes a point of discussion.

Tips to keep your generators online and ready to work in the winter

The three top points of failure on generators are block heaters, batteries and fuel systems, which are magnified by winter conditions.

January 6, 2025

In this article, two seasoned generator technicians – Dale Routh, owner of Power Solutions in Spirit Lake, Idaho, who has 36 years of experience in this field; and Robby Robinson, owner of Genesis Power in Apple River, Illinois, who has 40 years of experience – share some tips to help keep your generator running smoothly all winter long.

AI enables cameras to put ‘new eyes’ on your cows

Since it is not possible or cost-effective for a human to sit in front of a bank of cameras 24 hours a day and watch what occurs on a farm, artificial intelligence systems offer a new solution.

November 19, 2024

Aidan Connolly

The concept of using cameras to watch your dairy isn’t new, but with the arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) and significant players actively investing in the U.S. dairy industry, AI systems are truly transforming the management of cows. New offerings create even more value for producers who have installed these systems.

Redhead Creamery: A place for cows, curds and cocktails

The Jennissen and Sjostrom families take a holistic approach to dairying. On their Minnesota farm, they make milk and cheese products and whey-based spirits, all in an effort to educate and entertain consumers and producers alike.

January 19, 2025

Jenn Coyne

At Jer-Lindy Farms, crops are grown, cows are cared for and milk is produced, much like many dairy farms across the nation. In addition to the conventional way of dairying, the Jennissen and Sjostrom families also turn their milk into cheese at the on-farm Redhead Creamery and make whey-based spirits, all while telling their story through public and private on-farm gatherings.

Manure management and planning for the year ahead

When looking at manure management in the new year, dairy producers should weigh the benefits of hiring a professional to do the work.

December 26, 2024

Katie Kelderman

Producers can limit their risk exposure to costly mistakes in manure application by finding a custom application company that has the experience and knowledge to responsibly complete the job. A professional in the industry would have the proper equipment for your dairy operation, the range of knowledge needed for success and the capacity to get the job done in a timely fashion.

A new ‘no-feed' strategy for robotic dairies

Automated milking once used to rely on feed at the robots, but that may not be the case anymore as some producers have found.

January 6, 2025

Jason French

Milking technologies have changed over many decades, so have feeding strategies incorporated on the dairy farm. For those using automation to milk cows, providing feed at the robot was thought to be paramount to the system’s success. Recently, some automated milking producers have started to rethink this approach.

An apple a day keeps mastitis away: Monitoring mastitis in automated milking systems

Much like your own health, regular check-ups to cows, their environment and milking equipment will help catch small issues before they become large problems.

December 23, 2024

John Gerbitz

Routines to maintain udder health change with the transition to automated milking. In a parlor, most of the monitoring of the cow, the equipment, and to some extent the environment, is part of the milking routine. It is completed by the workers in the parlor as they prep, strip and attach milkers. In automated milking, it is important to develop daily routines to monitor those milk quality control points in other ways.

Tips to tackle tech on larger dairies

Optimal implementation and adoption of technology on larger dairies depends on who needs to see the information and how they will use it.

December 16, 2024

Steve Pavelski

Dairy cow monitoring is a disruptive technology, to say the least. Since its introduction, this tool has turned traditional cow management upside down by providing actionable insights into cow health and behavior often unseen by human eyes. These data are then used to hone dairy herd performance while saving time, labor and costs.

Ruminating for better health

The use of rumination time in the last week of pregnancy can be used to predict the risk of postpartum problems and subsequent performance.

November 21, 2024

Eduardo S. Ribeiro, Matheus Santos, and Ivan Avalos-Rosario

One possible use of wearable sensor devices, such as collars, ear tags or leg bands, is to leverage the prepartum information generated by these devices for predictive assessments of future health and performance and for targeted management.

Are calf hutches still the ‘gold’ standard?

December 5, 2024

Robert James

For many years, the calf hutch has been considered the “gold” standard. Is it time to reevaluate this standard? Let’s consider the benefits and challenges of the calf hutch system compared to other alternatives.

Optimizing your colostrum bank

Having a properly managed colostrum bank and feeding program is key to calf health. How colostrum is frozen and thawed can be the difference between a healthy calf and a sick one.

December 10, 2024

Gabriel Frainer

In this article, we will explore a real-world case that illustrates the hazards of improper colostrum handling and provides guidelines for optimizing your colostrum bank to ensure the highest-quality colostrum reaches your calves.

Recent studies on beef-on-dairy steers in the feedlot

Research in California's Imperial Valley has found that Angus-Holstein steers are more feed-efficient but less heat tolerant than other dairy crossbreds.

December 19, 2024

Brooke Latack and Pedro Carvalho

For the past few years, we have developed and run several research studies in the low desert of California to answer some of these questions surrounding the type of beef-on-dairy crosses and how they perform in a feedlot. Here is a brief overview of what we have observed.

Faber's Food for Thought: Moving cows and 10 p.m. problems

January 19, 2025

Dwayne Faber

There are several keys to wedded bliss in a marriage where you both work on a farm or farm business. Keys like: Never go to bed angry, the family that prays together stays together, and never move cows together.

The Milk House: The legacy of cooperation

January 19, 2025

Ryan Dennis

As the National Farmers Union (NFU) often highlights, consolidation among agribusiness in American agriculture has had a disastrous effect on family farms. They point out how 85% of corn seed is controlled by only four firms, 85% of beef packing is likewise owned by four companies and 95% of large farm tractors are made by three multinationals. It’s worth pointing out that American farmers have come up against corporate interests before – and won.

Just Dropping By: Sharpen the spiritual scissors

January 19, 2025

Yevet Crandell Tenney

My hobby for the last few years has been quilt-making. My sisters and I have made 200 or 300 hand-quilted quilts.

Feed the change beast. It’s selfish.

January 19, 2025

Walt Cooley

It’s not too late to plan to achieve more in 2025 than you ever have before on your dairy.

Our Publications

Progressive Dairy

January 19, 2025

Digital edition

January 19, 2025 Progressive Dairy digital magazine

News & business

2024 has laid the groundwork for a promising new year in U.S. dairy exports

The underdiscussed trade barrier threatening U.S. cheese exports

Checkoff Watch: Checkoff elevating dairy to the center of food culture

Management

Buy your employee a cow: Empowering your team for long-term success

The secret sauce of successful farms

Make 2025 the year of cash flow budgeting and projected earnings

Topic Articles

Tips to keep your generators online and ready to work in the winter

AI enables cameras to put ‘new eyes’ on your cows

Redhead Creamery: A place for cows, curds and cocktails

Manure management and planning for the year ahead

A new ‘no-feed' strategy for robotic dairies

An apple a day keeps mastitis away: Monitoring mastitis in automated milking systems

Tips to tackle tech on larger dairies

Ruminating for better health

Are calf hutches still the ‘gold’ standard?

Optimizing your colostrum bank

Recent studies on beef-on-dairy steers in the feedlot

Departments

Faber's Food for Thought: Moving cows and 10 p.m. problems

The Milk House: The legacy of cooperation

Just Dropping By: Sharpen the spiritual scissors

Feed the change beast. It’s selfish.

When the world buys the land next to you

Impact of early life nutrition on finishing and carcass performance

Wipe Your Feet: Are you wearing that in public?

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