See All Dairy
Find educational material about dairy cattle, including nutrition and feed management, health and care, reproduction, facilities and technology, and business management from Penn State Extension.
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ArticlesTable: Comparison of Commercial Electrolyte Products
Summary of selected nutrients in commercial oral rehydration products. Table assumes products are mixed with water according the manufacturer's directions. -
VideosRFID: How to Apply the Tag
Length 4:12This video explains tagging requirements for livestock and demonstrates how to apply the RFID tag properly. -
ArticlesPrecision is Key to Consistency in Calf Feeding
Consistent feeding temperature, total solids, and nutrient level helps calves perform at their best. -
ArticlesCustomized Dairy Heifer Growth Chart
Generates a growth chart from mature size and age at first calving. Compares heifer performance to growth required to meet herd goals, not to a breed standard. -
ArticlesMonitoring Dairy Heifer Growth
Success of a heifer-rearing program can be evaluated by monitoring height and weight of heifers and comparing the results against the herd's growth goals. -
ArticlesMilking Management: Consistency is the Key!
The secrets of producing high quality milk is to consistently use a well-defined milking technique and to maintain a clean and dry environment for all animals. -
ArticlesHeat Stress in Dairy Calves
Calves can suffer from heat stress too. Strategies for reducing its impact are explored in this article. -
ArticlesGrowth Monitor: Compare Heifers to Breed Standards
Spreadsheet tools for tracking dairy heifer growth in comparison to breed standards. -
ArticlesGrowth Charts for Dairy Heifers
Comparing to a breed standard can indicate if heifer growth is progressing normally. -
ArticlesEconomics and Effects of Accelerated Calf Growth Programs
Increasing heifer growth rates, regardless of the feeding strategy, improves the odds of earlier age at calving, which can dramatically lower heifer costs. -
ArticlesEffects of Calf Feeding Program on First Lactation Performance
A review of the effects of increased milk or milk replacer feeding on milk production. -
ArticlesDairy Heifer Cost Variation
Dairy heifer replacement costs represent a large investment for all dairy operations. -
ArticlesDehorning: What Are Your Options?
Timing and best practices for caustic paste and hot iron dehorning, common methods of removing horns on young calves. -
ArticlesBody Condition Scoring as a Tool for Dairy Herd Management
Body condition scoring evaluates fatness or thinness according to a five-point scale and scores are used to fine-tune dairy nutrition and health. -
ArticlesSafety First with Livestock
Every year, hundreds of accidents occur on the farm whether it's caused by livestock, tractors, machinery, or mistakes. -
ArticlesJob Descriptions: The Building Blocks of Organizations
The primary objective of a job description is to help employees and supervisors reach a mutual understanding about important details of a job in order to avoid future problems. -
Tools and AppsJob Description Generator for the Dairy Industry
The Job Description Generator is an online tool that automates the process so preparing a job description is quick and easy. -
ArticlesStandard Operating Procedures: Developing and Implementing
The seven steps that you can take to develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). -
ArticlesStandard Operating Procedures: A Writing Guide
Standard operating procedures used in combination with planned training and regular performance feedback lead to an effective and motivated workforce. -
ArticlesLittle Things Can Make Big Difference in Dairy Farming
Becoming more aware of and focusing some time on the "little things" can have a big impact on productivity and profitability on dairy farms. -
ArticlesThe Seven Steps of Action Planning
Your team and the operation will encounter challenges or problems that must be overcome. We have outlined a seven-step process to assist you in solving problems. -
ArticlesTake a Bite Out of Those Dairy Losses
Managers can look at mortality numbers, feed shrink, and inventories of supplies to determine if changes could reduce these steady drains on profitability. -
ArticlesSteering Your Dairy Day-to-Day to Avoid the "Drift"
A subtle but steady "procedural drift" away from consistency can cost dollars and cents. -
Tools and AppsGoal-Setting Worksheet
Goal-setting worksheet to help outline specific goals for a dairy advisory team with an example -
ArticlesWant to be a Better Leader? Work on Your Communication Skills
Whether it's your farm business or a community organization, being able to effectively communicate is a key aspect of leadership.
