WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE FARM

Here in Upstate New York the effects of mid-winter are being felt across the farm. With the holiday season behind us, the dairy team is back in full operation and focused on managing the remainder of the winter months. Short days and long nights present ongoing challenges, but we are fortunate to have a committed staff prepared to work through the season.

Milk production has declined slightly from the previous months, with current averages ranging between 95 and 97 pounds per cow per day. While this decrease is not ideal, it is important to consider recent management and feed changes that may be influencing production levels.

Over the past few weeks, we completed feeding from one haylage bunk (which required transitioning to a new batch of haylage), the opening of a new BMR corn bunk, and the use of a bag of haylage. Feed transitions, particularly at the beginning and end of bunker silos, can be challenging due to the potential presence of mold or toxins. During this transition a few cows experienced digestive upset and indigestion. We are working closely with our nutritionist to address these issues and to implement strategies that will help reduce similar challenges during future feed changes.

Despite the typical winter hurdles, there is plenty of excitement ahead. We are preparing to begin interviews for our Summer 2026 Farm Management Internship and are also looking forward to welcoming a new year-long Farm Management intern later this month.

As we move through the remainder of the winter season, we remain focused on herd health, production consistency, and preparing for a productive year ahead.

̶ Nicole Roblero

nstover@whminer.com