According to AccuWeather chief long-range forecaster, Joe Bastardi, much of the U.S. will experience a very warm winter, with only the Northwest receiving average or above average cold and snow. “November into December and March and April will be closest to what we consider winter weather, with the chance of cold and snowy conditions. But once we’re into the heart … Read More
Alice in Dairyland
Our first official Milking Parlor podcast from World Dairy Expo is with the lovely and talented “Alice in Dairyland,” aka Jill Makovec. “Alice in Dairyland is Wisconsin’s official spokesperson for agriculture,” she says. “Alice’s primary role is to educate people about the impact of agriculture here in the state.” Agriculture is a $51.5 billion industry in Wisconsin, with nearly half … Read More
"Bright Lights, Big Show" Ring
This year’s theme for World Dairy Expo is “Bright Lights, Big Show” – as the show press materials say it represents “a brilliant place to exchange ideas, a dazzling display of dairy cattle and the brightest showcase of dairy technology, products and services geared to today’s dairy producer.” The annual themes are a unique aspect of World Dairy Expo. The … Read More
Hello From Expo
World Dairy Expo is officially underway in Madison, Wisconsin and we are here to bring you the highlights. I got here early this morning and have just been amazed at it all! I’ve never been here before, so I have been just taking my time, wandering around and tasting cheese and enjoying all the sights. Chuck is on his way … Read More
DeLaval International at IFAJ
For the third year in a row, DeLaval International sponsored the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists photo contest, presented at the annual congress, which was just held in Japan. DeLaval PR director Carina Kit presented the awards during the congress, with the help of IFAJ president David Markey. The winner was “The beauties of the winter in Schleswig-Holstein” from the … Read More
Silage Innoculants
Silage innoculants are discussed in this segment of the Pioneer Forage Forum, with information provided by Bill Rutherford, research coordinator, Pioneer Forage Additive Research Group. In addition to the much talked about L. buchneri, Rutherford provides information on organisms which also have an important role as components of silage inoculants. He explains why it is important to have multiple strains … Read More
Canadian Border to Open…
The USDA announced the lifting of its ban on Canadian cattle that are 30 months of age or older, starting Nov. 19. The U.S. has banned the older, or “cull cattle,” since Canada reported its first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad-cow disease, in May 2003. The U.S. eased restrictions on cattle under 30 months old, which are the … Read More
FDA to Investigate Symbol System
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is holding a two-day hearing starting today to determine if the addition of symbols on the front of food packages can help convey nutrition information to consumers. The FDA will collect comments from food companies, trade groups, watchdog organizations, medical experts and their overseas counterparts on the topic. That’s an idea being considered by … Read More
RFID Can Reduce Labor Costs
Steven Smith with DHI-Provo demonstrated how the Pocket DHI-Plus works with RFID through a video that showed a dairy producer walking alongside his animals and scanning them. As he did that, you could hear what he was hearing in his ear piece, whether to skip the animal, whether it needed to be preg-checked, or was due for injections, or whatever … Read More
Honeybee Mystery Solved?
The mysterious death of American honeybees may have been solved. Scientists suspect that the Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus may be to blame for the American Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Although the scientists behind the research cautioned that they haven’t yet cracked the case, their study provides enough curious coincidences to keep even the fictional detective (and beekeeper) Sherlock Holmes buzzing. … Read More