The van Leeuwen dairy farm in New Zealand has become the site of the world’s largest robotic milking installation for free cow traffic under one roof. With twenty four new DeLaval voluntary milking system VMS™ the 1,500-cow barn in Makikhi South Canterbury has gone from milking zero to 750 cows in just seven days in just half the space available. … Read More
Florida Farmer Recieves National Award
Florida dairy farmer Ben Butler was selected for Vance Publishing Corp.’s second annual “40 Under 40 Award” that recognizes people making a significant contribution to America’s food system. He joins a group of top agricultural industry professionals from across North America selected for their leadership and commitment to advance the cause to double food production by 2050. Butler, 35, who … Read More
Support for Dairy Sustainability Efforts Broadens
The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy®, established under the leadership of dairy farmers, announced that McDonald’s Corporation has joined the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards program as a new silver-level sponsor in support of U.S. dairy farmers and the industry’s sustainability efforts. Tetra Pak, Inc. also has committed to a second year of sponsorship. With two new award categories and an … Read More
Winter Calf Barn Ventilation 101
Many calf barns rely on natural ventilation to provide clean, fresh air to calf pens. But, as the weather cools down and winter approaches, there can be a tendency to close the doors, windows and curtains on the calf barn in an effort to reduce drafts. Preventing cold air from blowing on calves can help keep calves warm, but when … Read More
Center for Food Integrity at Premier Dairy Event
The Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania and the Center for Dairy Excellence are gearing up to host the premier dairy educational event in Pennsylvania known as the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit. The 2015 event is being held February 4-5 at the Lancaster Marriot in the historical part of Lancaster City in Penn Square. On Wednesday, February 4, the general session will … Read More
Alltech Opens IFM Laboratory in China
Global animal health leader Alltech is partnering with Nestlé in the creation of a world class training center, the Dairy Farming Institute in Shuangcheng, Heilongjiang province, China. Along with its participation in numerous educational initiatives and assistance in establishing best practices in Chinese agribusiness, Alltech is bringing its highly successful feed evaluation laboratory to the world’s fastest growing dairy market. … Read More
Why Not Add Beets to Your Cow Ration
For the first time, Feed Beets took advantage of the World Dairy Expo and shared with producers the opportunities with adding beets into their cattle rations. Lisa Butzer, marketing manager for Feed Beets, explained the nutritional elements to feeding beets and it’s benefits to beef and dairy operations. “What we are finding through nutritional surveys and testing is that as … Read More
Dairy Operations Finding Success with CAFOweb
Dairy farmers in New Mexico are using a great new tool called CAFOweb. The online data management tool allows dairy farmers to better manage nitrogen. As Tara Vander Dussen and Jay Lazarus explained, nitrogen from manure solids and/or effluent can leach into the ground water is not applied at agronomic rates. In other words, said Lazarus, most dairies were not … Read More
More Than A Competition
I am no stranger to livestock shows, but it was my first World Dairy Expo and I have to admit, some things are done very different. Fitting is one of those on the list. We are always in the mode of growing hair in beef cattle. In fact, I don’t think you can have too much. So, how do you … Read More
Apply Now for Dairy Challenge Social Media Corps
The North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC) and Farm Credit are now recruiting for the 2014-2015 Dairy Challenge Social Media Corps. This unique opportunity allows students to gain real-world experience in developing their social media and communications skills. Social Media Corps members will develop a content plan – including capturing photos and creating tweets and Facebook posts – and will … Read More