Software system digitizes and optimizes the dairy supply chain

Progressive Dairy Editor Karen Lee

While working in different areas of the dairy supply chain, Jon King grew frustrated with how data was shared – or rather wasn’t shared.

“Each part of the supply chain had their own datasets that were held in a silo. We really only shared with the other partners along the supply chain either when something went wrong or when it came time for pay,” King says.

See the system King developed to connect the milk supply chain to real-time data.

What’s next in autonomous ag?

Learn about a few factors that contribute to the implementation and availability of autonomous equipment, and what farmers can expect in the coming years.

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Wild yeasts in silages: Possible sources of the problem and how to cope with it

Eugene Rodberg for Progressive Dairy

We’ve seen the situation where perfectly good-looking silage was put up, following all harvest recommendations, at the right moisture and maturity, packing at the correct density and adding proper silo covering.

Then, at feedout, heating occurs and off odors are generated in the total mixed ration (TMR). Ultimately, feed refusals increase. This result is typical of secondary fermentation caused by yeast growth when silage and TMR are exposed to air.

Reduce yeast problems in silage with these 5 steps.

Feeding and milkfat: Is sugar supplementation the key?

It is important to not only think about what we are feeding our cows, but also how we are feeding them. The what and how of feeding cows are equally as important and impactful on the resultant milk yield and quality.

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A new approach to managing transition dairy heifers

Daniel Scothorn for Progressive Dairy

We’ve been trying a different protocol on dairy heifers for the final month pre-calving. Here is a personal rendition of why we tried this new approach, how social media responded and what we’ve been learning.

“How do we get these heifers to 12,000 kilograms by 305 days? Our mature cows are making almost 14,000 kilograms, so shouldn’t we be able to achieve 12,000 kilograms in first lactation?” This was the question posed to me, the nutritionist, by a progressive dairy client as we met back in July 2020. We pondered several ideas, such as boosting the first-lactation diet in energy and protein, feeding soyhulls, altering the haylage-to-corn silage ration. But we also decided to look at the area of transition heifer practices.

Take an open-minded look at your situation to see where you can make changes.