milk production

Milkfat and protein yield are the main drivers of ROI on dairy operations.  Dr. Kevin Harvatine, a professor of nutritional physiology at Penn State University, says high-fat feed additives like whole cottonseed can help dairy producers maximize milkfat content on their farms.  ...

According to NASS, total milk production in the Northwest increased slightly from August 2023 to August 2024.  Idaho’s herd increased 1,000 cows over the past year to 667,000 cows, with each cow producing 2,180 pounds of milk, for total production of 1.454 millio...

This is an interesting time to be in the dairy business.  USDA Outlook Board chairman Mark Jekanowski said the U.S. has relatively tight supplies, and strong demand.  He added that the nation's dairies are churning out more milk, but not as much as was expected, or as much as consumers would like to see.   “Heifer su...

U.S. dairy farms vary widely in size, from fewer than 50 dairy cows to having 2,000 or more.  While many factors can influence a dairy farm’s production cost per unit of milk, such as technology use, management, and input prices paid, farm size can also affect costs.   The Ec...

Over 65,000 FFA members and supporters from across the country are celebrating agriculture and ag education this week at the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis.

It's becoming an unpleasant theme for the year, U.S. dairy operators could see a further squeeze on their margins as 2023 continues.  USDA Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski says once again, they’ve increased production projections while trimming milk prices.   So, wh...

Fewer cows, higher feed costs, tighter supplies.  That’s the summary of USDA's outlook for the dairy sector in 2023.   “Well, we're expecting to see is a slight decline in the average dairy herd somewhere down to about 9.83 million head in 2023.” ...

For milk and most dairy products, “prices have started to decline, quicker than we had expected,” noted USDA outlook board chairman Mark Jekanowski.  He added it's a combination of continued increases in milk and dairy production plus weak demand and pretty strong international competition.   So far all of 2023 com...

For many dairy farmers, it’s a decision that comes naturally.  Breeding for elite registered Holstein genetics that can position their herd for greater production, efficiency, and profitability for the future.   A recent study from Zoetis also helps show the positive effect genetic selection can have on environmental sustainability outcomes.   “What we fo...

Much of the movement in USDA's December dairy outlook was a shoring up of import and export forecast for this calendar year as well as next.  World agricultural outlook board chair Mark Jekanowski said when it comes to 2022 fat solid imports.   “...