For the latest research-based information from UW-Madison Extension:

With summer comes heat and humidity. A successful dairy farm requires a healthy environment for cattle to thrive in; in the summertime, that means special care needs to be taken to ensure that calves, heifers, cows, and farm workers are not experiencing heat stress.

Here you will find strategies to prevent heat stress and improve the welfare of your cattle and farm workers including:

Digital dermatitis is one of the most common foot diseases of the dairy cow and can be found in even well-managed dairy herds. It is an infectious disease caused by a family of spiral-like bacteria called Treponema. Special attention must be given to this foot disease in order to treat the animals which serve as a reservoir of infection and to reduce the spread of infection. 

Footbaths do not cure rather, they are a management practice designed to maintain existing digital dermatitis in an inactive state (Stage M4). Treating infected (Stage M2) digital dermatitis on individual cows reduces the reservoir of infection which in turns reduces the incidence of spreading bacteria to other herdmates.

Paul Fricke is a professor of dairy science and Extension dairy cattle reproduction specialist. His research focuses on developing and improving methods for reproductive management of dairy cattle and understanding the biology underlying the many reproductive problems presented by modern dairy cattle. He enjoys working with his graduate students on research projects and working with individuals in the dairy industry to help them improve reproduction.

Many of his former students have gone on to have productive careers in the dairy industry through academia, extension, and working for various companies throughout the US and the world. "It is gratifying to see the great things my former students are accomplishing in their careers. Similarly, I have gotten to know and work with many folks in the dairy industry throughout Wisconsin, the US, and the world. It is amazing to see all of the progress that has been made over the past 25 years in dairy cattle reproduction."

Fricke is a Nebraska farm kid who grew up milking cows on his family’s farm, so never had an opportunity to get off the farm much. Over the past 25 years, he has presented talks in 36 US states and 27 countries, spanning 6 continents around the world. As a kid, he never dreamed that he would get to travel the world and speak to people about his passion for the dairy industry. He still enjoys every opportunity he gets to be off campus and travel throughout Wisconsin. "Internationally, I have yet to visit Israel to see their dairy industry, so I hope to get there before I retire."

A report from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Division of Extension found the average price of agricultural land sold in the state last year was $5,551 per acre. That's 11 percent higher than in 2021 and nearly 24 percent higher than in 2020.

All hay prices quoted are dollars per ton FOB point of origin for alfalfa hay unless otherwise noted. The information presented in this report is compiled from public and private quality tested sales and reports in the Midwest. 

Badger Crop Connect:
Prevent Plant Considerations and Small Grains Disease Management

Four State Dairy Nutrition & Management Conference

Dubuque, IA

$150 before May 26

$175 after May 26

This program is sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension with special support from the following Extension Educators: 

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An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.