When the calendar flips to April, I always start thinking about when it will be time to plant corn. But how early is too early? Well, that depends on your definition. Technically speaking, it is never too early to plant corn. As anybody who has dealt with “volunteer” corn knows, corn seeds are perfectly capable of surviving a whole winter out in the field – well enough to cause substantial weed pressure in a soybean crop! Even so, you won’t catch any farmer in his right mind

Feed push-up is a simple management practice, but its impact on cow performance is closely tied to one key factor: keeping feed consistently within reach. As cows eat and sort the ration throughout the day, feed is gradually displaced away from the bunk, creating periods when feed remains present but is no longer accessible.

Protein is one of the most expensive nutrients in a dairy ration, often one of the most overfed. While crude protein (CP) levels of 16 to 18% are still common in many lactating cow diets, research continues to show that a significant portion of that nitrogen isn’t converted into milk protein: Only about 25 to 35% of the nitrogen a cow consumes is captured in milk, with the remainder excreted in manure, particularly in urine

My name is Chloe Otterson-Taylor, and I’m from Elk Grove, California. I recently graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science in Dairy Science. Although I grew up around horses and spent much of high school working with and finishing them, it wasn’t until college that I discovered my passion for the dairy industry.

Pheromones are a means of communication within a species, and can be secreted to provide signals between individuals. One example of this is maternal bovine appeasing substance (MBAS), a naturally-excreted pheromone from cows to elicit a calming effect on their offspring by reducing the neuroendocrine response to a threat or stressor.

Leadership and culture are not just buzzwords or skills we hope to develop someday. Instead, they are words that have a different definition to anyone you speak to, based on their own perception. Culture as defined in the Oxford dictionary “is the customs, art, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social groups.” This isn’t the definition of culture as Galen Emanuel, an author and keynote speaker with a background in theater, defined

Direct-fed microbes (DFM) are live microorganisms — most commonly specific strains of bacteria or yeast — intentionally added to ruminant diets to beneficially modulate the rumen microbial ecosystem. In dairy nutrition, Bacillus spp. (e.g., Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis) are frequently used because of their ability to produce fibrolytic, amylolytic, and proteolytic enzymes that enhance feed degradation. By influencing microbial populations and fermentation pa

The growing season is just around the corner, although it is hard to believe with the lingering cold weather here in the North Country. Now is an ideal time to review as a team what it takes to produce high-quality silage in the year ahead. Historically, silage discussions have focused on the basics: harvesting at the correct moisture, chopping at the right length, packing tightly, sealing thoroughly, and deciding whether to use an inoculant. These factors still matter, but t

Calf starter plays a critical role in supporting early growth and rumen development in calves, making it an   important component of a successful heifer program. As calves transition to functional ruminants, the rumen needs to develop sufficient physical capacity and absorptive surface area to properly utilize solid feed. Through starter intake, microbial activity and volatile fatty acid production (VFA) are activated, both necessary components in the development of rumen ti

Carrying on the Miner Legacy is a privilege for those of us fortunate enough to be a small part of it.