HD Notebook

This Tuesday, USDA released its monthly Milk-Feed Price Ratio, which was 2.22 for November, down notably from October's 2.4o. The ratio was 2.26 last November. (The Milk-Feed Price Ratio reflects the pounds of a 16 percent-mixed dairy ration equal to the value of 1 pound of milk.) The drop in the ratio for November came as a result of a lower milk price and higher feed costs. Read more

While dairy operations become more efficient and populations grow, the objective is to see consumption of dairy products increase, which ensures a strong long-term demand for our nutrient-rich products. Read more

Where are land prices headed? They are up everywhere except where dairy cows are found. That’s the short answer to a more complicated question. Read more

Making milk in the nation’s largest dairy state is expensive, and part of the reason why are workers’ compensation insurance rates that are among the highest in the U.S. Read more

Milk production nationally was up 2.9 percent during October, marking eight straight months during which milk production was higher than the same month last year. Cow numbers were up just 0.2 percent during October, but milk per cow was up just over 2.6 percent. Compared to the previous year, milk per cow has been up every month during 2010 except January. Read more

We recently received a note from Scott Crandell, a dairy nutritionist in Mifflintown, Pa. One of his clients, Centerview Farm also of Mifflintown, experienced a remarkable delivery this fall. Read more

For the first time in over two years, many western U.S. dairy herds began showing a small profit. While these positive numbers are a welcome sight for many dairy farmers, they fall way short of making up for losses during 2008 and 2009.

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While driving home yesterday, I heard the end of a radio show with some interesting content. It prompted me to look into the topic a bit more. Read more

Once upon a time, all cows were milked by hand and the job got done just fine. Then one day technology brought a new tool for dairy producers to consider: milking machines. The evolution of technology never stops, so in 1992 another option arrived to consider: individual robotic milking stalls. Read more

There is always something going on at the Hoard’s Dairyman Farm. This week, one of the irons in the fire has been looking at the impact of buying 35 Jersey cows.

Here’s how we approached the issue: First, our Jerseys are eating 40 pounds of dry matter, which we value at 9.6 cents per pound or $3.84 per cow per day. For the group, feed cost would be $134.40 per day. Read more