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Allow ample time to move cows outdoors to spring grazing. Two to three weeks will give time for the rumen microbes to adjust from the housed diet, as well as giving ground conditions more time to improve, especially following wet weather. Photo: Chris McCullough
25-04 | Article

5 top tips to avoid drop in milk quality at turnout

It is necessary to know the health history of the herds from which cattle are purchased and the health status of individual animals brought into the operation.
20-03 | Article

Best biosecurity practices on dairy farms

In the feed department of management, Pauly worked with the nutritionist to reduce feed costs and increase the amount of forage being fed. This helped lower costs and provide a bit more cushion on expenses. (Generic) Photo: Canva
09-11-2023 | News

3 changes to increase cash and cut costs for dairy farmers

Growing from 1,800 cows to 4,200 cows requires more than scaling the dairy operation.t requires scaling your mindset as a leader and stepping out of the day-to-day and into the role of CEO of the dairy. (Generic) photo: Canva
12-10-2023 | News

The secret to becoming your dairy’s CEO

How to survive a milk market downturn
09-08-2023 | News

How to survive a milk market downturn

Shift changes also allowed for the herd to go to 4x milking, thus, generating more income without adding any additional labour costs. Photo: Canva
20-06-2023 | News

What is your next ‘win’ on the dairy farm?

“Success looks to me a team that works really well with each other, that respects each other, that is all working toward a goal and all working towards the farm’s success,” says Dairyman Jeremy Natzke from Wayside Dairy in Greenleaf. (Generic) Photo: Canva
14-04-2023 | News

Bringing in a non-family partner into the dairy business

"We did it one group at a time, where we would take out the sand and then start filling the beds with the solids,” says dairyman Jeremy Natzke. (Generic) Photo: Jan Willem van Vliet
06-04-2023 | Article

US dairy: Switching from sand bedding to dried manure solids

Poor or inadequate fan maintenance can decrease the overall airflow by fans as well as the efficiency of these motors by as much as 40%, increasing electric bills unnecessarily. Photo: Ronald Hissink
10-08-2022 | Article

How maintenance of dairy barn fans can save costs

Down cows require immediate attention with assistance from a trained rescue team. Down cows need a safe area in a pen or paddock where they have a comfortable resting surface. Photo: Mark Pasveer
30-06-2022 | Article

What should we consider with down cow care?

Photo: Wick Natzijl
27-06-2022

How to keep an eye on shedding and heat stress

A dairy enterprise should strive to make optimal use of 3 most important production factors: the cows, the employees and the invested money. Along with this it needs to ensure long term sustainability (expansion, environment, social acceptance). Photo: Jan Hulsen
26-01-2022 | Article

How to design the ideal dairy barn

Here is one way of achieving a gradual changeover from a straw pen to a slatted floor. When the calf is about 6 months old, the hooves can withstand a concrete floor and the animal can withstand cold cubicles. Photo: Jan Hulsen
23-09-2021 | Article

How to give the best calf care

Photo: Mark Pasveer
03-03-2021 | Article

7 tips to reducing mastitis during the dry period

Hygiene practices could be deemed as the single most important component of managing mastitis effectively. Photo: Henk Riswick
01-02-2021 | Expert opinion

6 tips for managing mastitis

Photo: Canva.com
27-03-2020 | Article

4 underutilised feed sources for ruminants