By KAREN BOHNERT - Dairy Herd Management (To access the original article, click here)

We have found our way back to a new normal after enduring a world pandemic that impacted every corner of the world. Although, 2022 certainly was far from a normal year for dairy farmers. While $30-plus milk prices were welcoming, many producers shared that it didn't last long enough and wasn't high enough to absorb the stifling inflation that also has impacted everything—from labor to feed costs, to everything else in between. These four topics are on the minds of producers in the year ahead.

by Casey Havekes 

Minimizing the amount of forage particles retained on the top sieve of the Penn State Particle Separator is a good strategy for promoting desirable feeding behaviors and maximizing dry matter intake

BY ABBY BAUER, SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR (For the original article click here)  

With input costs on the rise, farmers across the country are looking for ways to improve profitability and reduce spending. Feed is a big cost center and one that often gets scrutinized, but during the November Hoard's Dairyman webinar, Mike Hutjens advised the audience that the ration is not the place to cut corners.

By Taylor Leach - Dairy Herd Management 

CCE Harvest New York's Regional Farm-to-School Coordinator Program is looking for farms and food businesses to supply local foods to schools in our region, including meats and dairy products.

Wearing gloves is a simple management tool that could help prevent bacteria and help to reduce your somatic cell count.

Dairy animals are an important source of beef in the United States. Approximately 20 percent of the nation's total beef production on an annual basis comes from the dairy sector, including fed dairy cattle and marketed cows and bulls. This chapter specifically focuses on considerations for the marketing of dairy animals for beef production. For information on animal care for beef animals (including dairy steers) please follow the guidelines of the Beef Quality Assurance Program. 

Dairy Farming Essentials: Navel Care Beyond the Dip (Click here to access original content)

Infographic available in English

Disinfecting the navel cord is a common practice among farms and, for the most part, a pretty straightforward process. However, recent studies have shown that there is more to navel care than we realize. According to a study from Cornell University published in the Journal of Dairy Science (Wieland et al., 2017), umbilical infections may be more common than we diagnose on farms. While older studies indicate that just 1.3% to 14% of calves develop an umbilical infection, these authors, using more advanced technology, diagnosed umbilical disorders in 27% of all calves enrolled in their study.

Check out this excellent resource for AMS facility design by The Dairyland Initiative!

https://thedairylandinitiative.vetmed.wisc.edu/home/housing-module/adult-cow-housing/automated-milking-systems/

by TIAGO TOMAZI, PH.D., D.V.M., DAIRY TECHNICAL SERVICES, MERCK ANIMAL HEALTH

To see the original article, click here

Version 4.0 of the National Dairy FARM Program is in effect January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2024. One of the changes to this version is the requirement of training and continuing education for employees as well as family member employees and owners. Version 4.0 requires annual continuing education in animal care and handling for anybody with animal care responsibilities, and job-specific training for the following topics if they apply:  

1. Stockmanship
2. Pre-weaned calf care
3.  Non-ambulatory animals
4. Euthanasia 
5. Determining if animals are fit to transport