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2 days ago | 
dairyherd.com | Maureen Hanson
As the dairy-beef crossbreeding phenomenon continues to evolve, there remain unsolved challenges to maximizing the performance and value of those animals. We know those calves aren’t the same as fullblood, conventional beef animals. And we know we can’t feed and raise them exactly the same. But can we get closer to matching the performance of their beef cousins, particularly related to challenges like their currently high incidence of liver abscesses?
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6 days ago | 
dairyherd.com | Maureen Hanson
It’s easy to access, non-invasive, and could provide a window into the health status and welfare of calves. What is it? Believe it or not: saliva. Animal scientists are researching the telegraphing abilities of saliva in various animal species, including calves. By analyzing its chemical properties, saliva – and changes in its composition over time – can signal stress, inflammation, immune response, and sometimes the presence of disease-causing pathogens.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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?
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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.
