When summer temperatures rise, dairy farmers face unique challenges in maintaining herd health and milk production. Hot weather can significantly impact dairy cows, affecting both their comfort and productivity. Here are some tips on feeding and management practices to help your herd "beat the heat" this summer. UNDERSTANDING HEAT STRESS IN DAIRY COWS [...]
May is Beef Month. While the history of how National Beef Month started is not clearly defined, most people assume it’s because May is unofficially considered the start of grilling season. Regardless of the origin of Beef Month, beef has been a staple in the American household for many years. Cattle were first introduced [...]
Do you give much thought to the scale on your vertical mixer? Why is that? Do you have the mindset that the scale is always right? What if it’s not? The weigh scale on your mixer is important. It measures one of the largest operating expenses on a farm – feed. That small piece [...]
Are you in the market for a vertical mixer? Just like buying a car, there are a lot of criteria to think about and take into consideration to reach a decision. Do your homework. Educate yourself by visiting websites, talking to your local Dealer, studying mixer specifications, requesting a demo, and talking to your [...]
Traumatic Reticuloperitonitis. What is it? What is Traumatic Reticuloperitonitis? It’s a fancy name for ‘hardware disease’. Hardware disease is caused when cows ingest nails, wire, and other metal objects that are hidden in feed. Cattle do not thoroughly chew their food. They chew their feed just enough to coat it with saliva, making it [...]
When researching and selecting the appropriate alley scraper system for your operation, there are many features to consider. In this article, we’ll take a look at the most common alley scraper blade options. Folding V-Scrapers: The Folding V-Scraper is just what it sounds like – it’s a v-shaped scraper that folds together during the [...]
Practice Proper Tire Maintenance to Extend their Life Do you have the right tire for carrying your load? Running tires at the proper inflation pressure extends the life of the tire and maximizes efficiency. Familiarize yourself with your equipment tires. Learn the recommended load weight, the maximum speed, tire pressure, and what tools are [...]
THE WORLD'S FIRST CONTINUOUS-LOOP BARN CLEANER Paul Patz, the inventor of the Patz barn cleaner, was just a kid working on a farm back in the 1920’s. His job was feeding and milking 40 head of dairy along with cleaning the barn gutters. Barn gutters would fill up with waste materials, which included bedding, [...]
When researching vertical mixers, you may run across two terms that sound like they would be interchangeable: Side Extensions and Size Kits. While they both increase the height of the mixer, that is where the similarities stop. The role and capability of each options differs. Let’s take a closer look at each: Side extensions: [...]
Does it really matter when feed gets added to the mixer…as long as it gets added? The answer is yes, it does matter. Just like baking bread, the sequence the ingredients get added, the length the ingredients get processed, and the equipment used have a direct impact on the final product. Feed is 65% [...]
