Dairy farmers are usually subject to net income fluctuations due to volatility in both milk and feed prices. Risk management tools, such as hedging milk prices in the futures market, may be used to protect dairy farmers against milk price volatility. Alternatively, dairy farmers selling milk in Virginia can buy Virginia milk commission base (MCB) to obtain higher milk prices and, therefore, sustain or increase net cash flows.

This video intends to help stakeholders improve their silo face management practices, prevent spoilage and waste! Learn to properly face bunker silos.

Typically, feed costs are directly related to milk production, so the more you feed, the more you produce. However, milk production is not necessarily related to profitability. Production-oriented management, which focuses on maximizing outputs (i.e., milk yield) through increased utilization of inputs (i.e., feed), does not necessarily ensure the dairy business will be profitable.

In this issue: Beyond Boundaries and Inclusion and Diversity at Its Best; Beating the Heat with a Slick Hair Coat; Upcoming Activities

In this issue: Technological advances in bacterial identification; Ruminal fiber passage rate: A double-edged sword for cattle methane emissions? SDBII note; Upcoming Events

In this issue: Impact of Dairy Farms on the Environment: Feeding Strategies to Reduce Nitrogen Excretion; News from the Forage Quality and Management Program; Upcoming Events

In this issue: Time for a Biosecurity Check on Your Farm; Enhancing Dairy Cow Welfare: Supporting Isolation Behaviors around Calving; Upcoming Events

In this issue: New Educational Programs on Risk Management for Dairy Famers; The Dry Period: What to Consider; Upcoming Events

In this issue: Chasing the Elusive Hydraulic Leak; Copper Supplementation Sources: Which One to Choose for Dairy Cattle?; Upcoming Events; Additional Notes