Animal Welfare

April was an extremely busy time, mostly because we welcomed a new granddaughter. Her name is Brynlee and she is doing well. We were lucky to spend more time in Georgia in April than Illinois.

Many factors impact fertility and reproduction of dairy cows, including the nutrition of their rations.

Indiana Farm Bureau awarded scholarships to three young women pursuing careers in agriculture.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said that samples of pasteurized milk had tested positive for remnants of the bird flu virus that has infected dairy cows.

Sheep producers can reduce the amount of labor needed to work with their animals with a Te Pari handling system.

Dairy cows that experience heat stress during the dry period have lower milk production in their next lactation.

I have the tremendous opportunity to work with some of the greatest employees in government and we have the pleasure to work for the American farmer — the original environmentalist, who cares for the land like no other.

We have some water standing on pastures and fields. I had almost given up seeing that this spring. Looks like some other events may follow. Ponds aren’t full, but have been improved.

Spring has arrived and it is good to see grass growing and greening up. I won’t say that grass growth is exploding, because over the last few weeks, winter has tried to hang on.

When word came out of Texas on April 1 that avian flu had made another unwelcome hop — this one from a dairy cow to a human — the news seemed like an April Fool’s joke. It wasn’t.

A poultry facility in Michigan and egg producer in Texas both recently reported outbreaks of avian flu.

I recently upgraded my phone with a newer model, and I didn’t realize how much the technology has improved. While I’m catching up with the latest innovations, pig farmers have already embraced it.

A total solar eclipse will travel through Indiana on April 8, providing a spectacular show for sky watchers. “On April 8, Indiana will be center stage for a once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse experience,” said Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Milk from dairy cows in Texas and Kansas has tested positive for bird flu, U.S. officials said.

Recently, I was asked to describe myself without saying I was a wife or mother and that hit me a bit differently. After all, as parents, it is hard for us to see beyond that.