Heat stress isn’t just a summertime concern — it’s a serious, ongoing issue that affects dairy heifers at every stage of development, including before birth. Managing heat stress is critical for maintaining herd health, growth, and future milk production.
What...
Source: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
by: Ann Johanns
The 2025 survey of cash rental rates for Iowa farmland shows that rates decreased, on average, by 2.9% in 2025 to $271 per acre. This is the first decline in cash...
Understanding how much urine a cow produces each day is important for nutrition research. Traditionally, scientists estimate urine output by measuring the concentration of creatinine—a compound made in muscle—found in the urine. A standard "fixed" value of 29 milligrams...
As warmer months arrive and pastures begin to flourish, many dairy farmers turn to grazing as a cost-effective and natural way to feed their herds. While pasture feeding can offer nutritional benefits and improve animal welfare, success depends on...
Episode Description
Grab your favorite beverage and take a seat while Dr. Anne Laarman shares about his discoveries on calf gut health. Not only will you learn about how colostrum intake actually INCREASES future antibody absorption (super cool fact) and...
MSU Extension Educator Cora Okkema discusses the impact of hutch microclimates on heifer health with Dr. Diego Manriquez Alvarez from the Colorado State University and AgNext.
Why Parasite Control MattersGastrointestinal parasites (helminths) reduce nutrient absorption, impacting milk production and growth. Managing these parasites through pasture management and targeted deworming supports healthier, more productive dairy herds.
Who Needs Deworming?Young and high-producing grazing cows benefit most. First and...
As of May 12, 2025, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been confirmed in 1,055 livestock premises across 18 U.S. states, affecting dairy cattle, pigs, and one alpaca. While the outbreak continues to unfold in the U.S., no...
Source: CDCB
Written by John Cole
Genetic base changes include both corrections for observed genetic trends in the population and adjustments to account for future inbreeding. When reviewing the calculations before the April 2025 run, members of CDCB’s Dairy Evaluation Review...
As technology continues to reshape agriculture, dairy farms are increasingly turning to smart tools to improve herd management, productivity, and sustainability. Two terms often used in this space are precision livestock farming and digital livestock farming. While they may...
