Search - The Packer

Effective July 1, herds larger than the trigger levels will be required to have 180 days of manure storage, up from the current 120-day limit.

The program has gained widespread support from key organizations, including Elanco, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the Center for Advanced Energy Studies/Idaho National Laboratory, USDA, the World Wildlife Fund, MilkPEP and the Dairy Research Institute.

The “30x20” effort hopes to grow the state’s milk production to 30 billion pounds by 2020, a 15% increase over the next eight years and a doubling of the annual rate of growth.

Spending time with Paul and Phyllis Van Amburgh and their five children on their Dharma Lea dairyfarm can make life here appear enviable.Sure, the work is hard and the days are long. But the Van Amburghs get to spend time together and they enjoy a close relationship with the land and their animals.But that’s the pastoral version of life on a small family farm. And the Van Amburghs, now in their fifth year, know that farming -- dairyfarming, especially -- is mainly about survival.

Jersey milk leads to a hugely significant reduction in water use and greenhouse gas emissions, it was claimed at a South West conference.Speaking at the Creating our Golden Future conference, organised by the UK Jerseys Cattle Society and held at the Royal Bath & West of England showground at Shepton Mallet, Dr Jude Capper, of Washington State University, reported on her research which compared Jersey and Holstein milk in the USA.

Jersey cows required 20% less total feedstuffs by weight and 32% less water to produce the same amount of milkfat and protein as Holstein cows.

If you must apply manure in winter, do so to fields with the lowest risk of runoff.

High input costs led to shortage of organic milk supply in 2011.

Owners John and Celia Harrison received the award, which recognizes U.S. dairy producers that apply creativity, excellence and forward thinking to achieve greater on-farm productivity and improved milk marketing.

Funding is available right now to help producers address on-farm energy use and increase efficiency.