NY Study Shows True Cost of Organically-Raised Heifer Replacements: Part One

This is the first part of a two-part report on the “Organic Dairy Heifer Replacement Study” The project sought to work with fifteen organic dairies across New York to collect the true cost of ...
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October 11, 2023Dairy Facilities, Herd Managementcalf care, heifers, organic

Prepping for the Change in Season; The “Shoulder Seasons” Challenge

In relative terms, Summer and Winter ventilation of calf barns is easy – supply the necessary adequate air exchanges for the weather, and with minor adjustments for the odd days, ventilation takes care of ...
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October 6, 2023Dairy Facilities, Herd Managementcalf care, herd health

Is your footbath working for you?

As I was working with a set of farms on a lameness project this summer, the question of footbath protocols was included in the set of intake questions.  Very few of the farms included ...
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August 17, 2022Dairy Facilities, Herd Managementherd health, lameness

Summer Feed Bunk Management

Feeding dairy cows in the summertime comes with its own unique set of challenges.  These challenges can manifest as variable dry matter intakes, sorting, butterfat issues or metabolic issues, and more.  While most of ...
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June 28, 2022Dairy Facilities, Herd Managementforage quality, nutrition

Considerations for Adoption of Automated Sensor Technology

Automated sensor technology for dairy cattle is not only a trending option for dairy farms, but one that is starting to look more attractive as the dairy industry continues to evolve.  This article strives ...
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May 24, 2022Dairy Facilities, Herd Managementfertility, heifers, robots

Back to Basics: Herd Management Lessons from COVID-19

By Lindsay Ferlito, Betsy Hicks, and Margaret Quaassdorff, CCE Regional Dairy Specialists In response to these especially volatile times, producers have been faced with having to make rapid changes. These changes have led to ...
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June 17, 2020Dairy Facilities, Herd Management, Success Storiesbedding, cow comfort, heifers, herd health, lameness, nutrition

Three Approaches for Determining Fair Farmland Rental Rates

Agricultural renters and landowners alike seem to struggle with the same question: what is the right rental rate for agricultural property? I commonly hear this question from beginning farmers seeking land. Yet, just as ...
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September 16, 2019Dairy Facilities, Farm Businessbeginning farmers

Research and Strategies for Group Housing Calves, Even in Hutches!

Last week, I attended the Dairy Cattle Welfare Symposium, which aims to bring together “dairy farmers, veterinarians, consultants, universities, and the dairy community to discuss best recommended practices with focus on animal well-being, management, ...
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July 1, 2019Applied Research, Dairy Facilities, Herd Managementcalf care, heifers

Stockmanship Training with Curt Pate: It’s All about Pressure

You’ve been handling cattle for years, and you do it every day, so what’s there to think about? At the recent Dairy Managers Training Program, Curt Pate, a rancher and stockmanship expert from Montana, ...
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June 3, 2019Dairy Facilities, Herd Management

Consider Bedded Pack Barns for Cow Comfort and Manure Management (Part 2)

A panel of farmers who have used bedded packs were featured at the NY Certified Organic (NYCO) meeting on January 8, 2019, in Jordan Hall, 630 West North Street, Cornell AgriTech, Geneva, NY. NYCO ...
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January 23, 2019Dairy Facilities, Events, Herd Managementbedding, cow comfort, manure