Karen Bohnert

East Moline

Dairy Editorial Director at Farm Journal Media

Dairy farm mom & wife! Passionate about family & cows! Believer in a higher power, in the beauty of good friends & the wholesomeness of the dairy industry!

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Articles

The Rise of Nutritional Value and Sustainable Practices

6 days ago | dairyherd.com | Karen Bohnert

In a world increasingly driven by plant-based alternatives, the dairy industry finds itself at a pivotal moment. According to Barb O’Brien, president and CEO of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), it’s an exciting time for dairy, as consumers circle back toward appreciating genuine nutritional value. “This is dairy’s time to shine,” O’Brien says. Food as MedicineFor years, the market experienced a surge in plant-based and alternative beverages; however, O’Brien points out a notable shift.
Feel the Power of Amarillo’s Milk Boom Where Over 1,100 Loads Leave Daily

1 week ago | dairyherd.com | Karen Bohnert |Maureen Hanson |Jennifer Shike |Robin Schmahl

In the heart of the U.S., a dairy revolution is thriving. The ongoing migration of dairies to the midsection of the country represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the industry. Gregg Doud, president and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), highlights the logistical hurdles faced by dairies out west, where the railroads complicate commodity transportation. Despite these obstacles, the midsection — particularly around Amarillo, Texas — is experiencing a surge.
Barrels Slip, Blocks Climb as Class III Futures Struggle

1 week ago | dairyherd.com | Karen Bohnert |Maureen Hanson |Jennifer Shike |Robin Schmahl

Class III milk futures were left red after the spot trade, where barrels dropped 2.5 cents off the $1.90 mark. However, blocks were able to find support and gain 2.5 cents, leaving the spot cheese average at $1.85. Both dry whey and NDM powder markets have stayed relatively stable despite Chinese tariffs. Stories of canceled orders for various goods have surfaced. That creates economic uncertainty, especially in the US Dollar Index, which has weakened considerably in recent weeks.
Hilmar Cheese Welcomes Its Third CEO in Four Decades

1 week ago | dairyherd.com | Karen Bohnert |Maureen Hanson |Jennifer Shike |Robin Schmahl

Hilmar Cheese Company, a name synonymous with excellence in the global cheese manufacturing industry and a leading supplier of whey ingredients, is poised for a new chapter. On July 1, 2025, Greg Schlafer will step into the role of president & CEO, bringing with him a wealth of experience and an impressive track record of leadership in the dairy sector.
Hazards in Feed Could be Monitored in Real Time

1 week ago | dairyherd.com | Maureen Hanson |Karen Bohnert |Jennifer Shike |Robin Schmahl

A new dashboard system designed to help compound feed manufacturers produce safe feed is being developed in the Netherlands. Researchers at Wageningen University are building the system, which is intended to identify feed safety hazards at an early stage in the manufacturing process. The dashboard, currently called the “Digital Support System” (DSS), uses 10 years of historical monitoring data, such as trends over time and world maps showing the presence of contaminants in animal feed.
Will Geomagnetic Storm Watch Slow Down Farmers in the Field?

1 week ago | dairyherd.com | Jennifer Shike |Karen Bohnert |Maureen Hanson |Robin Schmahl

In the midst of farmers busily planting in the field, a strong geomagnetic storm (G3) watch has been issued for April 16. The Space Weather Prediction Center says geomagnetic storming conditions are likely to persist into April 17 due to the arrival of multiple coronal mass ejections that left the sun on April 13. Could last year’s Gannon space storm, a powerful geomagnetic weather event that caused mass global navigation satellite system (GNSS) outages, impact farmers again?
Finding Strength in Adversity: A Wisconsin Farm Girl’s Inspiring Journey

1 week ago | dairyherd.com | Karen Bohnert |Robin Schmahl |Taylor Leach |Maureen Hanson

Growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, Sydni Mell was no stranger to hard work. Like most farm kids, she had chores before and after school, and often fed calves on her family’s 200-cow dairy in Waunakee, Wis. Little did she know the resilience and courage ingrained in her upbringing would become vital tools in facing unwelcome adversities that awaited her after high school. A Dramatic TurnAfter graduating from high school, Mell moved to Madison to study dairy science at the University of Wisconsin.
Cheese Market Rallies as May Kicks Off: Spot Prices Surge, Class III Futures Climb

1 week ago | dairyherd.com | Robin Schmahl |Karen Bohnert |Taylor Leach |Maureen Hanson

Spot cheese pushed higher yet again today. With the May pricing period now underway and futures starting the week at a discount, May cheese and Class III contracts rallied to bridge the gap. Reports around the market are mixed – perhaps export business was booked a few weeks ago when cheese was in the $1.60s, helping to clean up the market?
Surpassing Challenges and Embracing Growth

1 week ago | dairyherd.com | Karen Bohnert |Taylor Leach |Maureen Hanson |Jennifer Shike

The dairy industry in Idaho is facing a dynamic period of change and opportunity. Despite recently being overtaken by Texas in milk production, Idaho’s dairy sector remains undeterred and ambitious. Rick Naerebout, CEO of Idaho’s Dairymen Association, shares an optimistically competitive attitude. He’s confident Idaho will climb back to a leading position in the future. “We’re competitive,” Naerebout asserts, highlighting Texas’ processing investments while emphasizing Idaho’s strategic initiatives.
Cheese Prices Continue to Climb Higher

1 week ago | dairyherd.com | Taylor Leach |Maureen Hanson |Karen Bohnert |Jennifer Shike

Class III milk can only ignore the gains in spot cheese for a couple days before we have to play catch up. Friday saw most commodities except milk trading green, but today flipped the script, with spot cheese pulling us higher. The rest of the spot market was unchanged. Class III found some life with May and June milk up 37 and 30 cents, respectively, and Class IV mostly quiet. This is a short trading week for the CME as it will be closed in observance of Good Friday.