Michigan State University has opened an experimental dairy with the latest technology, including two robotic milking machines made by Maassluis, Netherlands-based Lely Group. Robot milking operations have long been in use in Europe but spread only slowly in the U.S. Part of the new dairy is also pastured-based paddocks. Financing for the 94-cow dairy at MSU’s W.K. Kellogg Biological Station … Read More
New DeLaval Swinging Cow Brush Makes Cows Happier, More Productive
A new study by Cornell University shows that dairy cows using the DeLaval Swinging Cow Brush (SCB) register higher milk production and lower clinical mastitis cases. The SCB is a grooming device that allows a cow to brush and scratch herself at her leisure! The study compared different groups of cows housed in pens using the Swinging Cow Brush to … Read More
NEW Barron Built Hay Feeders for Dairy Calves
I spent a lot of time at the trade show during the Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls this week, and I stumbled upon Barron Built Products. Based out of Ruthton, Minn., Tom and Daniel Barron work to innovate new products to help the busy dairyman. Pictured here is a hay feeder that catches the hay in barrels below … Read More
Getting GEA Farm Technology Feedback
Last week GEA Farm Technologies was announced as the new “brand” for WestfaliaSurge, Houle and Norbco. Before Expo was over I spoke with Linda Mrugacz, Director, Marketing & Communications. I wanted to find out what kind of feedback they had been receiving from producers attending the show. According to Linda, “Actually, it’s going very well. There’s a lot of interest … Read More
WestfaliaSurge Now Part of GEA Farm Technologies
The first news I found here at Expo came from our sponsor, GEA Farm Technologies. I know we’ve been promoting WestfaliaSurge but the company is re-launching their brand and this post and interviews will help explain it. Basically, WestfaliaSurge is now a part of the new GEA Farm Technologies. The CEO and President of GEA Farm Technologies is Vern Foster. … Read More
Dairy Installs WasteSolver System
TyraTech Inc., the pioneer of safer, effective natural pesticide products and automated manure management systems, announces that the Rancho Teresita Dairy has signed an agreement to purchase and install the TyraTech WasteSolver™. This will be one of the first systems to be installed in California. With ever-tightening environmental regulations, it is increasingly difficult for dairy producers to manage their cows’ … Read More
Idaho Dairy Goes Ruggedly Wireless in the Corral
The idea of gaining two extra hours in dairy farm management each day without working extra hours seems like a dream, right? What about cutting the time employees spend searching for animals… in half? Well, Scott Haag at Box Canyon Dairy in Wendell, Idaho says a set of MobileDemand rugged tablet PC’s makes those dairy farm dreams an everyday reality. … Read More
Vermeer Names New Director
Congrats to Joe Michaels who has been named the Forage Segment Director at Vermeer Corporation. Michaels, who previously served as the segment’s sales manager, is now responsible for overall operations and will report directly to corporate management. “Joe’s experience and understanding of the market will be invaluable to Vermeer as we continue to develop and market new and better solutions … Read More
Wastesolvert Debuts at WAE
Dairy producers visiting the World Ag Expo in Tulare, Calif. this year (February 12-14) will have the first look at many new, exciting products, including the new WasteSolverT created by TyraTech Inc. The WasteSolverT is a new automated manure management system designed to help large dairy farms produce more milk and profit in four key areas: Increasing cow comfort and … Read More
Iowa Co. First to Use PLA Bottle
Naturally Iowa, Inc., a organic dairy processer in Iowa, has announced that they will be the first to manufacture polylactic acid (PLA) bottle preforms in the country. The Company has reserved a dedicated factory space in Waverly, Nebraska and has ordered the necessary molds for the manufacturing and production of PLA bottle preforms. Preforms are the second stage in the … Read More