August 25, 2024

August 25, 2024 Progressive Dairy digital magazine

August 23, 2024

Checkoff Watch: Dairy sustainability and how checkoff leads the way

August 12, 2024

If we look at the original purpose for the dairy checkoff, we were established by farmers to drive sales and trust in dairy through research and promotion. Historically, that research focused on dairy nutrition. However, as consumer trends evolved, it became clear that dairy needed to engage in environmental sustainability.

Ag literacy and the story time with a farmer program

August 14, 2024

Julianne McCormick

What started off as me having the desire to share my knowledge and passion of the dairy farming industry with students at my former elementary school has now grown into a nationally recognized program. Little did I know making that connection and then continuing to grow and expand upon it while incorporating more ag enthusiasts would lead to so many new connections, friendships, lessons and experiences.

Beyond energy: What signals are your fatty acids sending?

The main fatty acids found in dairy diets and the signals they send beyond being utilized for energy

August 13, 2024

Renee Smith

Let’s walk through the main fatty acids found in dairy diets and talk specifically about the signals they are sending beyond being utilized for energy. While they may seem complex, the stakes are high in understanding their roles as there is a rare function of the cow that is not impacted by fatty acids.

Put your manure storage on a diet following wet season

Excessive moisture in the growing season has pushed the limits on manure storage capacity. Consider these alternative practices to manage manure on the farm.

August 16, 2024

Jenn Coyne

For the first time since 2019, the Midwest is mostly clear of drought advisories, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. In fact, May was one of the wettest months on record for Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota and regions of Michigan, with above-normal precipitation continuing throughout the growing season. Such weather has dairy producers in a pinch to manage manure appropriately.

The first of its kind: Bovaer receives FDA support

Learn about the effectiveness and economics of the first methane mitigating feed additive to receive support from the FDA.

August 15, 2024

Kirby Krogstad

On May 28, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Bovaer met its safety and efficacy requirements for use in dairy cattle. This is a watershed moment, as this approval is the first of its kind and is likely to be the first of many as methane-mitigating feed additives continue to receive investment, research, and development from a variety of public and private organizations.

Once or twice? Optimal insemination practices for your herd

Timing insemination correctly is key to creating pregnancies. Consider double insemination for animals with high genetic or economic value.

July 31, 2024

Jennifer Spencer

Optimizing the timing of insemination relative to estrus expression is a key factor in achieving high reproductive efficiency in dairy herds.

Rethinking the dry period by shortening or eliminating

Adjusting the dry period length can improve dairy cow health.

June 17, 2024

Alvaro Garcia

The dry period, usually lasting 60 days before calving, serves essential roles in preparing cows for lactation, promoting mammary cell renewal and facilitating treatment for subclinical mastitis. However, shortening or eliminating this period has become a strategy to manage milk production, redistributing energy balance and mitigating the risk of metabolic disorders like subclinical ketosis.

IgY: A new tool for the calf health toolbox

While colostrum is a powerful tool for keeping calves healthy, it isn’t foolproof. Sometimes calves need a little extra immunity boost, which is where IgYs can help.

August 19, 2024

Roger L. Saltman

Producers today have a new tool available to help keep calves healthy and minimize sickness events before weaning. That tool is IgY.

Winning the pathogen challenge: A game plan devised by experts

While it might be one of the most common diseases, the cause of scours isn’t always easy to ascertain. Three experts share insight on devising a plan to help pinpoint the issue.

August 19, 2024

Dale Miller

I occasionally get calls from customers and other producers about product features or lab samples where the results come back without a clear solution to the challenge. Some wonder why they even saw a scours outbreak and sick calves because they were doing a great job managing the calf environment and being diligent with their prevention program. It’s understandably frustrating for them, and they want answers.

Noblehurst Farms: Transitioning from a ‘doer’ to a ‘manager’

August 20, 2024

Jordan Anderson

In a breakout session presentation at the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit, held in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, last February, Sarah Moag discussed management transitions and employee management strategies that have worked for her business, Noblehurst Farms, in western New York.

Understanding yeast products: There is a difference

Since there are a large number of different types of yeast products on the market, it is important to carefully research which products may be the most effective and economical for any given dairy.

August 2, 2024

Stephen B. Blezinger

Feeding yeast can be a valuable part of a well-designed dairy feeding program. Primary end effects include the reduction of stress, improvement of performance, and improvement in gut and overall animal health. Since there are a fairly large number of different types of yeast products on the market, it is important to carefully research which products may be the most effective and economical for any given dairy.

Understanding protein fractions on a forage report

If we understand the protein fractions within our forages, we can ensure livestock requirements are met and improve performance.

February 22, 2024

Rebecca Kern-Lunbery

Forage analysis is the first step to understanding animal protein supplementation requirements. Most producers are familiar with crude protein and understand how this value compares with livestock needs.

Pain management: Hurting more than your bottom line

Research suggests pain in dairy cattle affects productive life in the parlour and at the slaughterhouse.

April 17, 2024

Matti McBride

“Rather than thinking about pain at a micro level – where we’re trying to treat or mitigate painful conditions – I want to think about it on a macro level,” said Kate Creutzinger, assistant professor of animal and food science at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, during the 2024 Western Canadian Dairy Seminar. “Let’s take a futuristic approach. Where can we go from here?”

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Minimize downtime with efficient maintenance

Modern parlors are complicated in how all components interact, and even more unique in how the mechanics need to interact with animals. Ensuring equipment is properly tuned and maintained safeguards the well-being of the animals and minimizes financial losses associated with downtime and reduced milk production.

August 7, 2024

Kyle Carlson

It might seem counterintuitive to work on something that isn’t broken, but a small amount of effort can prevent major disruptions down the line. By dedicating a small amount of time to maintenance tasks now, you can avoid costly downtimes and ensure your dairy operation runs smoothly and efficiently.

That much to put lines on paper?

Explore what is involved in an engineering design project, what the fees are paying for and other considerations for farmers to help control costs.

August 21, 2024

Ian Hansen

This article is intended to help facilitate a discussion between an owner and an engineer to come to an agreement on the cost of engineering fees versus the scope and quality of services provided. Ideally, by having this conversation, the owner will get to explain what they value in their engineer, and the engineer can explain the cost associated with meeting the owner’s desires.

Cultivating your purpose

Focusing on your purpose in life and the legacy you wish to leave can help provide a buffer against stress and adversity.

July 18, 2024

Michele Payn

Legacy is often thought of as a tradition passed down from one generation to the next. While tradition certainly plays a part, legacy goes beyond that. It’s about the mark you leave on the world, the values you uphold and the contributions you make.

Healthy hooves lead to a productive life

Digital dermatitis presents a significant challenge for the dairy industry, affecting the well-being and lifetime productivity of cows. Minimize the occurrence and severity of this disease by implementing effective management strategies.

July 30, 2024

Jeff Wheeler

By implementing effective management strategies, such as maintaining optimal hygiene, following proper footbath protocols, early detection and treatment, as well as adjusting the diet to support rumen health, dairy producers can minimize the occurrence and severity of digital dermatitis (DD), also known as hairy heel warts.

Lameness prevention starts with you

Proper procedures to prevent lameness on the farm will help improve hoof health, cow efficiency and herd productivity.

July 25, 2024

Octavio Mendivil

I work with farms across the country troubleshooting for potential contributors to lameness prevalence in their herd. Cattle lameness is a challenge that every farm will one day experience. It is better to prevent it through procedures such as scheduled maintenance, hoof trimming and overall herd management practices.

Practicing silage safety is priceless

Training employees on key safety practices, maintaining machine safety guards to prevent entanglement, managing the structural integrity of silage bunkers, and being aware of the hazards of silo gases can improve safety while chopping and packing silage.

August 9, 2024

Kasey Hower

There are six main hazards when it comes to silage: 1) complacency and fatigue, 2) entanglement by machinery, 3) rollover by machinery, 4) fall from heights, 5) crushing by silage avalanche or collapse, and 6) silo gases. By regularly taking safety precautions at each of these hazard points, we can ensure that our farm workers return home safely at the end of the day.

5 tips to keep kids safe during silage season

Tips to improve silage safety for children include keeping children away from silage storage areas and out of the way of operators, dressing them in highly visible clothing, discouraging them from playing on equipment and informing them of what to do in case of an emergency.

July 24, 2024

Amber Adams Progar

As silage season approaches, now is the time to start having conversations about silage safety with your children. It is also the right time to put practices into place that will make this silage season safe. Here are five tips to help you keep this silage season safe for your children.

‘In the game to make milk’ – Embryo program furthers genetic potential at Swisslane Farms

A structured reproductive program that utilizes in vitro fertilization aids a Michigan dairy in creating the future herd.

August 25, 2024

Matti McBride

Following a simple philosophy of structure and dedication, Swisslane Farms' reproductive team can balance Double Ovsynch, embryo transfer and beef-on-dairy with the goal to make as much milk as possible.

Faber's Food for Thought: Crashing cars and summer ends

August 25, 2024

Dwayne Faber

The mornings are getting crisp, the leaves are holding onto their last bit of summer life, and it is Mrs. Faber’s favorite time of year. The kids are going back to school.

The Milk House: The mystique of the crop circle

August 25, 2024

Ryan Dennis

As Mel Gibson said in Signs, some people see something unusual as more than coincidence. “They see it as a sign, evidence, that there is someone up there.” Whether they are right or wrong, such ideas can at least lead to a little entertainment.

Just Dropping By: Turn to the Lord with fasting and prayer

August 25, 2024

Yevet Crandell Tenney

Look around, our country is in much need of fasting. There are demons of every kind plaguing our society. Economic turmoil, sickness, drug addiction, poverty, homelessness and the like. These are the kind that need fasting and prayer. Chapter 58 of Isaiah gives us the answer.

Bounce back with better ‘I am …’ statements

August 25, 2024

Walt Cooley

A silent conversation is continuously ongoing in our minds. Like a faucet left just barely on, we may not even notice it. It’s always happening. Whether checking cows early in the morning or relaxing in the recliner at the end of the day, your mind is filling in the rest of this statement: “I am …”

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