DairyVoice Podcast

Why is heat stress mitigation so crucial to your dairy cows? For starters, production, fertility, calving stress and potential losses. In this episode of DairyVoice, Connie Kuber of Sealpro Silage Barrier Films talks with Steven McDonald of Agpro. With the current high temperatures around the country, this is an important topic right now. Agpro has introduced an efficient “smart soaker” that reduces the amount of water needed for the cows.

In this episode of The Evolution of the Great Cow, Tim Abbott, Mike Duckett and Jeff King of Kings Ransom Farm discuss the newly release bull 744HO17425 Hellion-ET. Jeff King talks about the family behind his popular bull Dropbox and specifically about his dam Daze. Mike Duckett, who works with offspring of Doc every day, talks about the traits he sees in her family that are really appreciated.

According to Mike Duckett, Hellion checks almost every box. Mike digs in to what he sees in Hellion’s proof. Everyone is excited about a combination of Doc and Daze. And, the group discusses what sires of today’s cattle would work well with Hellion.

In this episode of DairyVoice podcast, host Tim Abbott of Showbox Sires spoke with Ian Crosbie of Benbie Holsteins and Auctioneer John Copithorne while traveling to the Prairie Passion sale at Benbie Holsteins on the 4th of July. Ian represents his family operated farm that milks 160 holsteins. Purebred high end options in western Canada is something that doesn’t happen every day and for this episode of the series Evolution of the Great Cow, Tim was able to speak with Ian. He also talked with John Copithorne, auctioneer from Alberta. John is known as one of the great auctioneers in the world. Together, this made for a fantastic interview.

Tim Abbott of Showbox Sires talks with William Tatarka of Mow Ten Vue Holsteins in beautiful Boseman, Montana. In this ongoing series on the Evolution of the Great Cow, Tim discusses the history of the farm, breeding registered holsteins and some advice for younger breeders coming in to the business.

With summer approaching, Dr. Joe Harner discusses heat abatement with DairyVoice host Connie Kuber of Sealpro Silage Barrier Films and Connor Agriscience. Dr. Harner explains how increasing temperatures impact the dairy industry and what temperature a cow starts experiencing a heat effect. Heat stress on a cow is cumulative and impacts milk production in several ways. Dr. Harner gives different strategies to combat heat stress.

Joe Harner is internationally recognized for his engineering knowledge and innovative ideas in designing dairy and beef facilities. He has been involved with dairy facility projects in 36 states and engaged in facilities design in more than 25 international countries. He was part of the K-State Dairy team conducting field studies evaluating the effectiveness of heat abatement strategies on operational dairies. Through the efforts of the K-State Dairy team, he has helped co-author articles on heat abatement strategies and been an invited speaker by allied industry to discuss heat abatement strategies.

He is an Emeritus Professor of Kansas State University and currently owns JP Harner Consulting focusing on “Data Driven Dairy Design”. Dr. Harner was elected ASABE Fellow in 2016 and inducted into the Rural Builders Hall of Fame in 2018. He is currently serving on the planning committees of the Western Dairy Management and High Plains Dairy Conferences.