Dairy and Animal Science News

Milking with Robots – Not Just a Curiosity Anymore!

The adoption and evolution of milking cows without regular intervention by humans (robotic milking, automatic milking, voluntary milking…) is progressing in the US. The Pennsylvania dairy industry, lead by innovative and courageous farmers is participating in this pioneering activity. The questions as to “will robots work?” or “can they reliably identify, prepare and milk cows without human intervention?” are regularly being answered and demonstrated on several farms in Pennsylvania.

Are Your Cows Getting Enough Rest?

At the recent Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop, Dr. Nigel Cook from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin presented results of on-going research into the daily time budgets of cows. Their studies use video surveillance to determine how cows spend their time and how management practices and facility designs influence cow behavior. The findings are summarized in this article.

Profit Strategies Program Will Show Dairies Strategies for Long-term Success

Is your dairy positioned for long-term viability? Not sure how to answer this question? Understanding the factors that limit profitability in different herd sizes and how shifts in management strategies affect profitability will help you determine – and improve – the long-term viability of your operation.

Penn State Dairy Alliance Offering Workshops on Reproductive Management

An effective reproductive program is essential to a dairy’s profitability, yet many Pennsylvania dairies struggle to overcome bottlenecks that hinder reproductive efficiency. To help optimize reproductive performance, Penn State Dairy Alliance is offering Reproductive Drill-Down Workshops in Lancaster and Mercer counties in January.

More Evidence Comparing Natural Service to Artificial Insemination

Achieving a high accurate heat detection rate (HDR) is a major challenge to dairy producers.

Penn State Dairy Alliance Announces its New Schedule of Educational Programs

The Penn State Dairy Alliance team announces its schedule of educational programs planned for Fall 2008-Spring 2009. “These educational programs have been created by Penn State dairy Extension educators to meet the specific training needs of Pennsylvania’s progressive dairy producers, their employees, and consultants,” notes Dr. Lisa Holden, acting director of Dairy Alliance, a Penn State Cooperative Extension initiative.

Dairy Advocate Will Share How Women Can "Lead the Way" at Women in Dairy Conference

One of Wisconsin’s leading dairy advocates will return to her Pennsylvania roots to share perspectives on leadership in the industry from a woman’s point of view at the Women in Dairy 2008 conference planned November 20.

How Good Is Your Accounting System?

Accounting is probably one of the most misunderstood concepts of our society, yet it affects the lives of virtually every person on a daily basis.

Are there Holes in Animal Care and Well-being Programs?

Over the past few years much has been written, talked about, or broadcast on TV regarding the care or at times the lack thereof of animals raised in production agriculture. This has caused many of us who have been working in animal agriculture for years, to stop and look around and try to understand what has caused some of the fuss.

Penn State Block and Bridle Club Donates Time to the Livestock Industry

Members spent the first weekend of October promoting the livestock industry by assisting at KILE, helping with a meat judging contest and walking in the Capital Region Heart Walk

Some Thoughts on Globalization and the Dairy Workforce

What is your strategy for the future? Can you structure your dairy business so that it can attract high-skill, high-wage workers?

Rare horse disease surfaces in Manatee

Blood and tissue testing of a 7-year-old gelding euthanized after a three-week illness confirmed a diagnosis of equine piroplasmosis or EP.

Inter-service Interval a Major Gap Contributing to Low 21-Day Pregnancy Rates

With the significant increase in adoption of resynchronization programs more routine determination of pregnancy status is being used.

Electricity Rate Caps are Expiring – Then What?

Just what will happen when the electricity rate caps expire in 2010 and 2011? That question is the same as asking what will happen when the deregulation of generated electricity is completed. Although the details have not yet been announced by any of the major investor-owned utility companies in Pennsylvania, I believe there is sufficient information to make some educated guesses of what may happen. In the April 2008 issue of Dairy Digest, I speculated on a few changes that will likely take place. Now I want to expand on my speculations.

Don’t Forget the September 30 Deadline to Apply for Fuel Tax Refund

Any person who uses liquid fuels in the actual production of agricultural products is eligible for a tax refund.

What's Behind this Summer's Low Butterfat Tests?

For many producers across the state, it has been a struggle to maintain fat tests above a 3.4%. This has occurred on non-grazing herds and has been fairly consistent throughout the summer, regardless of temperature. This seems to be occurring more on herds feeding a high forage based ration and on an average milk production between 70 and 80 pounds. The one commonality is these herds are feeding corn silage. What are some issues that could be challenging butter fat percent?

Workshop for Feed Industry Professionals

The 2008 Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop will take place November 12-13 at the Holiday Inn in Grantville, Pennsylvania. Feed industry professionals, nutrition consultants, and veterinarians rank this training opportunity as one of the premier events in the Northeast.

Latest Developments in Calf and Heifer Research

The American Dairy Science Association held its annual meeting in Indianapolis, Ind., in July. Here’s a look at some of the latest research into nutrition and management of dairy calves and heifers.

Concerns for Euthanasia and Disposal for Cattle

Many changes are underway regarding cattle than are non-ambulatory (downers).

Study shows consumers find grass-fed beef acceptable

High feed-grain prices and the growing interest in "natural" foods have spurred both consumers and farmers to consider grass-fed beef, and a recent study done by Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences researchers may reinforce this trend.