|
|
Make plans for the Central Plains Dairy Expo golf outing
It’s time to “get your golf on” and register for the 2025 Central Plains Dairy Expo golf tournament – Grazing on the Greens – scheduled for July 30, at Rocky Run Golf Course in Dell Rapids, S.D. Registration starts at 10 a.m. and golfers tee off at 11:30 a.m. To register, click here.
Proceeds from this fund-raising event go to the Central Plains Dairy Foundation (CPDF), which  supports tomorrow’s dairy leaders today through an endowment fund. CPDF provides scholarships and educational grant programming, initiatives that promote diversity, resiliency and sustainability in the dairy industry, and grants for innovative programs, communications and community development.
Sponsorship opportunities, such as greens, pin prizes and dinner sponsors, are available for this year’s Grazing on the Greens. Go to: https://www.centralplainsdairy.com/golf-outing to learn more about how you can capitalize on Grazing on the Greens sponsorship opportunities.
The tournament fee is $125 per person, which includes a box lunch, dinner, green fees and a shared cart on the course. The non-golfer fee is $70 per person and includes a box lunch and dinner, as well as the ability to network with all attendees. A foursome registration fee is $500 per group.
Like recent years, CPDF is offering its “Trophy Tote*” for $100. This game enhancement tool contains:
• 8 mulligans (two per player in a foursome)
• 10 yards of string
• 1 ticket to shake off a stroke on a team’s score (limit 1 per foursome)
• 1 FREE cow ball (limit 1 per foursome)
*Limit one Trophy Tote per foursome.
For more information, contact Renee Brod, Central Plains Dairy Expo member services director, at: renee@centralplainsdairyexpo.com.
English
Should we test commercial magnesium sources used for dairy cows?
By Jorge Bermeo, PhD student, Rúbia Branco-Lopes, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Noelia Silva-del-Río, University of California-Davis Veterinary Medicine Extension (nsilvadelrio@ucdavis.edu)
 Magnesium (Mg) is an essential mineral and it plays a critical role in bone development, muscle contractions and nerve function. Unlike calcium or phosphorus, Mg stored in bone cannot be easily mobilized during periods of deficiency; it needs to be consumed daily. This is especially important for high-producing cows, which have greater nutritional demands. Blood concentrations of Mg within 2.19 to 2.92 mg/dL are considered normal. When blood Mg levels fall below that range, cows are at risk of developing hypomagnesemia.
Clinical hypomagnesemia should be suspected when cows show signs resembling milk fever, such as muscle tremors, seizures or sudden death, along with low blood Mg concentrations (<1.95 mg/dL suspicious of hypomagnesemia; <1.7 mg/dL hypomagnesemia). In early lactation, hypomagnesemia is frequently associated with hypocalcemia. Cows in mid-lactation are also at risk of hypomagnesemia, particularly during heat stress or when diets are high in potassium.
Read the full article here.
Spanish
¿Deberíamos Evaluar las Fuentes Comerciales de Magnesio Utilizadas en Vacas Lecheras?
Por Jorge Bermeo, PhD student, Rúbia Branco-Lopes, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Noelia Silva-del-Río, University of California-Davis Veterinary Medicine Extension (nsilvadelrio@ucdavis.edu)
El magnesio (Mg) es un mineral esencial que desempeña un papel clave en el desarrollo óseo, las contracciones musculares y la función nerviosa. A diferencia del calcio o el fósforo, el Mg almacenado en los huesos no puede movilizarse fácilmente durante periodos de deficiencia, por lo que debe ser consumido diariamente. Esto es especialmente importante en vacas de alta producción, que tienen mayores demandas nutricionales. Las concentraciones normales de Mg en sangre oscilan entre 2.19 y 2.92 mg/dL. Cuando los niveles bajan de este rango, las vacas están en riesgo de desarrollar hipomagnesemia.
Lea el artículo completo aquí.
Enter the Forage Superbowl
North American forage producers are invited to enter the 2025 World Forage Analysis Superbowl. The annual contest is held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo and offers more than $26,000 in cash prizes. These awards are made possible through support from generous sponsors.
The deadline to submit corn silage samples is July 10. All other entries must be submitted by Aug.  21. The $40 entry fee includes contest participation and a detailed sample analysis returned after judging.
The contest features eight divisions judged by lab and visual analysis. Each division winner will receive a $2,500 cash prize. Cash prizes are also awarded to second through fifth place.
Divisions and their sponsors include:
- Dairy Hay – QLF Agronomy
- Commercial Hay – CROPLAN
- Grass Hay – Barenbrug USA
- Alfalfa Haylage – Ag-Bag by RCI
- Mixed/Grass Haylage – Lallemand Animal Nutrition
- Baleage – Agri-King, Inc.
- Standard Corn Silage – Scherer Inc.
- Cereal Forage – Ensiled – ByronPRO/Byron Seed
- Brown Midrib (BMR) Corn Silage
A $2,500 award will be presented to the Grand Champion Forage Producer, sponsored by Legacy Seeds. The Grand Champion First-Time Entrant will receive $2,000, courtesy of Brevant seeds.
Additional special awards include the $1,000 Quality Counts Award for Hay/Haylage, sponsored by Agri-King, Inc., and the $1,000 Quality Counts Award for Corn Silage, sponsored by Silostop.
All winners will be recognized at the Forage Superbowl Luncheon on Oct. 1, during World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis.
Entry forms and more information are available at www.foragesuperbowl.org.
DCRC’s July 11 webinar focuses on placental development
Register for the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council’s (DCRC) next webinar – Decoding key dynamics of placental development using single-cell omics technologies – set for July 11, starting at 2 p.m. Central time. Kimberly Davenport, Washington State University assistant professor, functional genomics, will lead the free, one-hour webinar.
Pregnancy loss in cattle imposes a significant financial burden on producers. Successful pregnancy  relies on many different biological processes, including the development and maintenance of the placenta. The placenta facilitates nutrient transport, gas exchange and waste removal, and serves as the primary interface between the mother and fetus. Disruptions in placental development can lead to pregnancy failure, clearly highlighting the need to identify essential mechanisms that support pregnancy. Understanding these processes, both those unique to cattle and those shared across species, may reveal key genes and genomic regions for improved genetic selection and novel strategies to reduce pregnancy loss. This webinar will explore mechanisms driving placental development in cattle using single-cell RNA and ATAC sequencing as well as cross-species comparisons at single-cell resolution.
Go to: https://bit.ly/DCRCWebJuly11 to register for this DCRC webinar. If you are a DCRC member and cannot attend the live program, you may access the webinar at www.dcrcouncil.org by July 25.
Davenport joined the Washington State University staff in 2023. Prior to that, she completed a postdoctoral fellow in reproductive and developmental biology at the University of Missouri. She earned her PhD in animal physiology, master’s degree in animal science and bachelor’s degree in animal and veterinary science – all from the University of Idaho.
Veterinarians may earn one Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) credit for attending this DCRC webinar. To learn more about this opportunity, contact JoDee Sattler at: jodee@dcrcouncil.org.
For more information about DCRC’s webinars, e-mail Caio Figueiredo, DCRC Education Committee chair, at: caio.figueiredo@wsu.edu or e-mail DCRC at: jodee@dcrcouncil.org.
Western Iowa Forage Field Day focuses on summer annuals
Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach, in partnership with I-29 Moo University and the Northern Plains Forage Association, invites producers, agronomists and forage enthusiasts to attend the 2025 Forage Field Day on July 31, at the Western Research and Demonstration Farm, 36515 Hwy E34, Castana, Iowa.
 This event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features field demonstrations, expert talks and hands-on learning opportunities. Forage topics will focus on summer annuals for silage, baleage and grazing, interseeding strategies and pasture management.
Attendees will hear from leading Iowa State University researchers and industry professionals. Topics include the agronomics of grazing summer annuals, sorghum breeding objectives, interseeding summer annuals into alfalfa and heifer grazing economics.
Highlights from the field day include:
- Field demonstrations of forage sorghum for silage, summer annual grazing systems and nitrate and prussic acid testing
- Live nitrate and prussic acid testing demos to enhance in-season decision-making
- Interactive forage and weed identification competition with prizes
- Expert insights on topics ranging from grazing economics to breeding priorities for sorghum and strategies to extend alfalfa stand life
“This field day is a great opportunity to see the versatility of summer annuals in action – whether for silage, grazing or interseeding,” said Shelby Gruss, ISU extension forage specialist. “These crops offer flexible options to fill forage gaps, extend alfalfa stands and improve both productivity and profitability across diverse forage systems.”
The cost to attend the field day is $20 for individuals or $50 for farms and family groups up to five people. All participants are asked to register online by July 21, to be eligible for a door prize. Members of the Northern Plains Forage Association may attend for free, but they must register in advance for an accurate food count.
A complimentary lunch will be provided under the hoop barn, where participants can test their forage identification skills and network with speakers and fellow attendees. For more information, contact Gail Carpenter at: ajcarpen@iastate.edu.
NMC seeks National Dairy Quality Award nominations
Nominations are now open for NMC’s National Dairy Quality Awards (NDQA) program. This program recognizes U.S. and Canadian dairies that excel in producing high-quality milk. Nominations close Aug. 31.
Coordinated by NMC, the NDQA program honors dairy producers who market milk with a low somatic cell count (SCC) and low standard plate count (SPC). Additionally, judges evaluate dairy producers’ systems of monitoring udder health, milking routine, protocols for detection and treatment of clinical and subclinical cases of mastitis, and strategies for overall herd health and animal welfare.
Dairy industry professionals – including veterinarians, extension agents, dairy processor field staff and consultants – are encouraged to nominate dairy herds that exemplify milk quality excellence. To nominate a dairy producer, go to: https://www.nmconline.org/ndqa and complete the online nomination form. Dairy producers cannot nominate themselves or their peers.
The NDQA nomination form asks for: herd size, rolling herd average (pounds of milk, fat and protein), DHI testing, SCC and SPC averages, SCC and SPC high monthly average, bulk tank SCC and SPC testing frequency, clinical mastitis incidence, culling data and cow deaths. Milk quality numbers are based on the 12-month period – June 1, 2024-May 31, 2025.
Judges will name approximately 50 finalists from the NDQA nominations. Finalists, along with their nominators, will complete a more detailed final application. From the finalists, judges will rank dairy operations as Platinum, Gold or Silver. The Platinum winners receive international recognition, complimentary lodging and registration, and a travel stipend to attend the NMC’s 65th Annual Meeting, Jan. 26-29, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala., USA.
This year's NDQA sponsors include Boehringer Ingelheim, Cargill, Conewango, GEA, Hoard's Dairyman and NMC: The Global Milk Quality Organization.
Nominate dairies, evaluators for FARM awards
The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program is accepting nominations for its annual FARM Excellence Awards, spotlighting program participants who embody the program’s mission of continuous improvement. Awards are divided into four categories: Animal Care and Antibiotic Stewardship, Environmental Stewardship, Workforce Development and FARM Evaluator of the Year.
 “The FARM Excellence Awards uplift farmers, cooperatives and processors who provide consumers with safe, wholesome milk with integrity,” said NMPF’s Chief Veterinary Officer Meggan Hain. “These awards recognize those who exceed expectations through passion, perseverance and the pursuit of excellence.”
Nominations must be submitted via the online form and close Aug. 4, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time. Nominations are accepted from fellow dairy farmers, members of their community, extension staff, cooperative or processor staff, veterinarians, themselves or others.
Nominated farms must have a current FARM Program evaluation in the relevant category and must be in good standing with the program. Evaluators nominated must be FARM Program certified in at least one program area as of June 1. Nominees must be willing to have their names and images used in promotional materials should they receive an award.
Winners will receive hotel accommodation and travel for two individuals to attend the Dairy Joint Annual Meeting, where awards will be presented during a special luncheon. Visit the FARM Excellence Awards page for more details.
Holstein Association USA recognizes Tim Rauen as Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder
Embracing technology, staying true to his breeding strategy and the desire to constantly improve the Registered Holstein cow have been the driving forces behind the 2025 Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder’s path in the dairy industry. Holstein Association USA selected Tim Rauen of Epworth, Iowa, as this year’s Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder.
“Over the years, I’ve put countless hours into researching cow families, pedigrees and different traits to make breeding decisions. If you ask people around me, I pretty much eat, sleep and breathe dairy cattle genetics,” said Rauen. “So, to get recognized for this award, it means the world to me.”
Rauen’s connection to the dairy industry started at his grandparents’ and uncle’s farm, Farnear  Holsteins in Farley, Iowa. He also became involved in the Junior Holstein Association, competing in the showring, participating in youth competitions and attending National Holstein Conventions.
These experiences led Rauen to Iowa State University, where he majored in dairy science. While in college, he started building his own herd of Registered Holsteins with the help of his uncles by investing in heifers backed by multiple generations of Excellent and Very Good dams. Being an early adopter of technology also allowed for faster genetic progress and played a key role in the success of Rauen’s breeding program.
In 2014, Rauen became a founding partner in GenoSource. In his role as directing manager and genetics manager, Rauen oversees the day-to-day activities on the farm and manages the breeding program. With the use of IVF (in vitro fertilization) and ET (embryo transfer) technologies, he has created an advanced genetic program.
Rauen places an emphasis on production, health and efficiency traits, along with strong maternal bloodlines. Under his direction, GenoSource successfully markets embryos internationally and continuously supplies bulls to artificial insemination companies.
Rauen enjoys sharing his passion for the dairy industry with his wife Jennifer and their five children. Also, he is an active Iowa Holstein Association member and softball and basketball coach in his community.
The breeder behind numerous chart-topping cows and bulls, Rauen’s success speaks for itself. However, it’s the experiences and people along the way, along with his focus and vision for the future, that set this year’s Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder apart.
“It really comes down to passion, focus and trying to surround yourself with good people,” said Rauen. “That’s really the key formula I feel my success has built on over the last 25 years. I’ve tried to surround myself with great people and great people have supported me on the backside.”
The Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder award recognizes significant accomplishments of young Registered Holstein breeders for their commitment to preserving the dairy industry and achieving excellence in their daily lives. Tim Rauen will be recognized on June 25, during the National Holstein Convention in St. Louis, Mo.
North Dakota State Fair requires HPAI testing
The North Dakota State Board of Animal Health issued an order requiring lactating dairy cattle to be tested for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) within 10 days of being at the North Dakota State Fair. The board also strongly recommended that other fairs require testing as well.
“Several states continue to have detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cows,” said North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “Although North Dakota has not had any detections yet, we want the North Dakota State Fair to be enjoyable but also provide and assure the highest level of safety for the animals and the public.”
“Owners of lactating dairy cattle who are planning to bring their animals to the North Dakota State Fair should contact their veterinarian, who will collect a sample,” said North Dakota State Veterinarian Ethan Andress. “All costs related to the veterinarian, shipping and lab testing by North Dakota State University will be reimbursed by the federal government.”
Fair and exhibition leadership are encouraged to review the fair guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS).
Biosecurity is the theme of the USDA guidance and includes developing protocols and policies for reducing the potential spread of HPAI and other common contagious zoonotic disease-causing organisms that can affect both animal and human health.
The federal order for HPAI mandatory interstate movement testing of lactating dairy cattle, issued on April 24, 2024, already requires lactating dairy animals used for exhibition be tested when crossing borders.
Other information on HPAI detections in livestock may be found at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock. Up-to-date HPAI information from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture may be found at: https://www.ndda.nd.gov/hpai.
CDCB’s John Cole discusses the impact of inbreeding
Did you miss the Iowa State University Extension & Outreach Dairy Webinar, held May 29, which addressed the impact of inbreeding in Holstein dairy cattle? Click here to view the webinar.
A new era for Nebraska: First dairy plant breaks ground in over 60 years
By Taylor Leach, Dairy Herd Management
DARI Processing, LLC has broken ground on Nebraska’s first new dairy processing plant in over 60 years, a $186.3 million facility set to bring shelf-stable milk production, regional opportunity and renewed momentum to the state’s dairy industry.
A new chapter in Nebraska agriculture began June 18, as DARI Processing, LLC officially broke ground on the state’s first new dairy processing plant since 1963. The $186.3 million facility will be located on a 40-acre site within the Seward, Neb. Rail Campus and is expected to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2027.
Once complete, the plant will process approximately 1.8 million pounds of milk per day, using aseptic, ultra-high-temperature processing to produce shelf-stable dairy products. These products, which are designed to have up to a 12-month shelf life without refrigeration, are positioned to support markets with limited cold storage access, such as food banks, schools and global export channels.
Read more about the plant here.
Why farmers sit at the sustainability table
Joan Maxwell didn’t grow up on a traditional dairy farm, but she was raised on a dairy beef farm, buying bull calves from local dairies and raising them. Her early career was spent as a business analyst, but after meeting her husband, John, she found herself drawn back to dairy in a whole new way.
John purchased Cinnamon Ridge Farms, Donahue, Iowa, in 1988 and worked hard to revitalize the operation. John and Joan met in 2011 and soon laid out a vision – transitioning the farm from a tie-stall barn to a modern robotics system. After they married in 2013, Joan was fully immersed in dairy and quickly realized sustainability wasn’t just a buzzword or a marketing trend. It’s the foundation of our future.
That realization led Joan to join the Dairy Sustainability Alliance. “I believe farmers like me must be part of industrywide conversations about sustainability because if we’re not at the table, the picture is incomplete,” she stated.
Telling farmers’ sustainability story
The Alliance was started by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, created by dairy farmers through the dairy checkoff program. “That distinction matters because it shows that sustainability isn’t being dictated to us; we are playing an active role in telling our story and shaping the future,” Joan explained. “The Alliance brings the entire dairy value chain together to talk, listen and solve problems, and includes farmers, cooperatives, processors, retailers, academics, nongovernmental organizations and government agencies.”
Joan continued, “Everyone has a seat at the table. But here’s the critical part, farmers need to be there. Sustainability starts on our farms. The practices, challenges and successes we face are where it all begins. When decisions are made about environmental stewardship, animal care or community impact, it’s vital that those conversations reflect farmers’ real-world experiences.”
The Alliance ensures that happens. Today, 40 dairy farmers are involved as members – representing large and small farms, different climates, management styles and perspectives from coast to coast. “What unites us is our shared commitment to doing right by our land, our animals and our communities,” said Joan.
Bringing data to the dairy
“When I was invited to join the Alliance, I saw an opportunity to bridge a gap,” Joan explained. “My background as a business analyst isn’t something you see every day on a dairy farm. But it’s helped me translate our practices into language that resonates with people who live in spreadsheets and reports. At the same time, it has helped me bring data-driven decision-making back to the farm.”
Joan added, “We’ve even woven this into our dairy’s agritourism program. Many visitors expect a modern dairy to look like the ‘red barn’ days. They’re often surprised when they see our robotic milking system or how we use cover crops to improve soil health and water quality. They learn that we feed our cows byproducts that may have otherwise ended up in landfills.”
Visitors leave with a deeper understanding of what sustainability means to a dairy farmer. “It’s good for the planet, good for people and good for our bottom line,” Joan noted. “Let’s be honest; if it’s not profitable, it’s not sustainable.”
Joan said that’s what she appreciates most about the Alliance. “These aren’t just feel-good conversations,” she stated. “We ‘roll up our sleeves’ and tackle real issues. Whether we’re working to update outdated reporting systems or improve how we measure carbon footprints – the focus is on solutions. It doesn’t involve finger-pointing or posturing. It’s just practical, collaborative work to keep our industry strong.”
Sustainability isn’t just about what happens on the farm. It’s about what happens after the milk truck leaves – who processes it, packages it, markets it and buys it – and what they care about.
It’s just as important for farmers to understand the people down the line as it is for consumers to know who’s producing their food. “That’s how we build trust – and a shared vision for the future,” Joan concluded.
As dairy declines in North Dakota, could new facilities prompt a renewal?
At this rural northwest Minnesota dairy, cows casually make their way onto a large rotating platform, where an employee ensures they’re properly situated for their regular milking. As the platform spins in a slow circle while the cows are milked, it’s a bit like watching a giant merry-go-round.
With milking complete, suction pieces remove themselves automatically, allowing the cows to disembark and make their way to bedding, water and food. Another group then takes their place.
The Waukon Dairy, located near Gary, Minn., and operated by Riverview LLP, is home to 10,500 cows. About 9,000 are milked twice a day, while the remaining 1,500 are “dry cows” waiting to give birth. Proposed Riverview dairies near the North Dakota communities of Hillsboro and Abercrombie would be similarly operated.
Read the complete Grand Forks Herald article here.
Leveraging data for heifer management
By Gail Carpenter, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach state dairy specialist
A strong heifer program delivers efficient growth and development, low mortality and improved production and longevity in the lactating herd. Raising replacement heifers may account for 15-20% of a dairy’s production costs (Heinrichs et al., 2022). Yet, on many farms, they often receive less attention than the lactating herd. Optimizing return on investment (ROI) for heifers depends on data-driven nutrition and management. To address this, the Iowa State University Extension Dairy Team developed an initiative that we referred to as “Raising Your Dairy Best Heifer,” working with dairy producers in Iowa to identify strategies to enhance heifer performance and ROI. This paper summarizes key lessons from our outreach efforts.
Read the full summary.
U.S. dairy industry supports 3 million American jobs
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) released its updated Dairy Delivers report, reaffirming the U.S. dairy industry’s immense contributions to the nation’s economy and quality of life for American families and communities. According to the 2025 analysis, dairy supports more than 3 million American jobs, $198 billion in wages to American workers, and nearly $780 billion in economic impact to the U.S. economy.
 “The data is clear: dairy runs deep in every community across America,” said Michael Dykes, IDFA president and CEO. “From family-owned dairy farms to processors, retailers and community businesses, dairy supports livelihoods, sustains local economies and delivers real value to the people who depend on it. These numbers reflect more than economics; they reflect the reach and relevance of dairy in the daily lives of Americans.”
Key highlights from the 2025 report include:
- 3.05 million total U.S. jobs supported by the dairy industry
- $197.6 billion in wages
- $779.45 billion in total economic impact
- $83 billion in combined federal, state and local taxes
- $8.2 billion in total annual exports
To explore the 2025 Dairy Delivers data or to download state and district-level reports, visit www.idfa.org/dairydelivers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
