The Trump administration today announced it will withdraw controversial regulations under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA) related to the buying and selling of livestock. The action includes an interim final rule that deals with harm to competition and one proposed related rule issued in the final days of the Obama administration. The interim final rule was scheduled …
Secretary Perdue in Europe
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has been on a whirlwind trip around Europe for the past several days, starting with meetings in London before participating in the G-7 ministerial, taking part in World Food Day in Rome and meeting Pope Francis yesterday, and concluding his trip today in Madrid. “It’s been a very productive trip,” said Perdue during a …
Hubbard Robo-Max Custom Feed for Automated Systems
As robotic milking equipment is becoming more prevalent in the dairy industry, the need for customized feed to use in the systems is increasing, so Hubbard Feeds came up with Robo-Max Computerized Feeder Pellets. “What we’ve found is that you really need to fine tune what’s going into your pellet formula by having the right amount of starch or energy …
Animal Ag Bites 10/16
On January 17 and 18, 2018 dairy farmers will attend the Dairy Strong conference and trade show in Madison, Wisconsin. Those who register before November 1, 2017 can attend for free. The National Pork Board is celebrating a new song titled Porkchop by recording artist Cowboy Troy, American country rapper, Hick Hop innovator and songwriter currently traveling with Big & …
Weather Variability Affecting Silage Crop
Dairy producers at the 2017 World Dairy Expo had two primary questions for Alltech Farm Specialist Pat Crowley regarding silage. Those questions centered around variability of the crop this year because of unique weather patterns in the Midwest, and what to expect from the silage because of those factors. Crowley says farmers are typically producing silage each fall they will …
Hubbard Fitting Well Into Alltech Family
Hubbard Feeds is a heritage brand with a strong history. Today Hubbard is a part of the Alltech family, and that transition has gone very well, says Ken Petersen, general manager for the central part of the United States covering an area from Minnesota to Missouri. “Our focus in the past has always been on animals that produce meat, milk …
Improving Crops Through Biological Products
Alltech Crop Science is bringing biological and natural products into crops to make them better. Technical Advisor Brian Springer says the company has a broad portfolio that really sets it apart from similar companies that only offer one or two products. When working with dairy customers like those at the 2017 World Dairy Expo, Springer often answers questions about how …
National Hay Association: Forages Important to Dairy Industry
National Hay Association President Amy Freeburg has been a commercial hay grower supplying the dairy industry for 45 years. Alfalfa hay is a key feed used in the dairy industry, but Freeburg says wheat straw is also used in dairy rations because it floats in the rumen of the cow. Members of the association also grow grasses for dairy goats, …
The Future of Eating Digitally
Caleb Harper describes himself as an anti-disciplinary person who did not succeed in the traditional school setting. But his ideas and his curious mind eventually landed him at MIT, where he now is Principal Investigator and Director of the Open Agriculture (Open Ag) Initiative at the MIT Media Lab. Harper addressed 100 youth in attendance at the 2017 Youth Ag …
Alltech Dairy Specialist Knows Cow Comfort
Cow comfort is priority for Tom Lorenzen, dairy specialist with Alltech. Lorenzen visits dairy farms with the goal of looking for problem areas and finding solutions when it comes to the basic needs of the animals. “Cows don’t lie,” says Lorenzen. “I look and listen to the cows.” Lorenzen says clean water and a full feed bunk after milking are …