After a nine-year hiatus, the Langola Livewires 4-H Club is back. We’re “plugged in” and ready to roll. After Austin graduated, the club became inactive because we had no young …
The farm benchmark milk price took a temporary step backward in July on a slightly lower cheese price. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the July Federal Order Class III price at $19.79 …
Decision-making. This is something we do constantly on our dairy farms. These decisions range from many, small, daily management decisions to very large decisions that drastically alter the course of …
It’s county fair season and farm kids around the state are showing off the projects and animals they’ve spent many hours working with. Our children and the families that lease cattle from …
Hello all. I am new here and following in the footsteps of Dr. Jim Bennett for the Veterinary Wisdom column. I am one of six doctors at Northern Valley Livestock Services practicing primarily dairy …
Some sneaky, creepy creatures have been slinking around hereabouts. No, I’m not talking about the latest crop of political candidates. What have been sighted several …
One year ago, I stood on the stage on the evening before the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair along with nine incredible dairy women about to start a journey that I had dreamed about for my …
I will never forget the feeling inside as I said to myself, “You are walking forward,” as my name was called as a top three finalist for the 66th Princess Kay of the Milky Way. I remember …
Peter’s text to me Friday morning said, “If chaos has a fuel gauge, today it would show ‘FULL.’” He was not wrong. We had picked the day two weeks earlier to …
The weather this spring and summer has been surprising us with rain, heat, high humidity and storms. When fog is hanging over the alfalfa field, I can usually see it will be a high-humidity day. Some …
The House Committee on Agriculture hosted a hearing on farm financial conditions before breaking for the August recess, but the session started with a spirited exchange over the farm bill. Chairman …
Sunday, July 21, was National Ice Cream Day. Enjoying a couple of scoops of my favorite summer time treat offered me a chance to reflect on some of the best aspects of this great industry. …
What makes someone an expert? Education? Experiences? Distance? It is sometimes hard to be an exper in your own backyard despite your advanced degrees or life experiences. Some people still see you …
After nearly 150 years, the James gang and their Northfield bank robbery still loom large in our collective imagination. Small-town celebrations have played a big part in keeping this legacy alive. …
After several years’ worth of experience with beef-on-dairy calves, I’m beginning to think that beef-cross calves aren’t suitable for calving on pasture. I absolutely love …
Colorful aprons on the line Were someone else’s — but now they’re mine I treasure them and the stains they show I smile in the sunshine and watch them blow I …
I have had the pleasure of hosting farm tours for nearly 27 years. All the tours are by reservation and often I am asked if rain cancels the tour. I don’t have a problem with sprinkles, and …
Avian influenza has been confirmed in 164 dairy herds in 13 states. Unlike poultry, this virus is not fatal in dairy cattle but can impact milk production. There is anecdotal evidence that H5N1 is …
As reported last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture lowered its 2024 and 2025 milk production forecasts in the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates, based on slower growth in milk per …
The June Federal Milk Marketing Order Class III benchmark milk price was announced at $19.87 per hundredweight, up $1.32 from May, $4.96 above June 2023, and the highest Class III price since …