In this episode of DairyVoice, Connie Kuber of Sealpro Silage Barrier Films talks with Tom Eaton & Darren Usinowicz of Agriculture Consulting Services (ACS). They discuss the 2024 crop year and the impact it has had on northeast dairy farms. Tom and Darren discuss the flooding, soil health issues, manure management, and compaction issues they’ve been dealing with.

In this episode of DairyVoice, Connie Kuber of Sealpro Silage Barrier Films talks with Tim Kurt, Senior Vice President, Environmental Research Strategy & Group Lead with Dairy Management Inc. on sustainability. 

They discuss why the dairy checkoff has gotten involved with sustainability and how DMI has engaged with the research. Tim Kurt dives in to the Greener Cattle Initiative, what is the goal of this work and who is at the table in making this happen. Additionally they talk about the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM Program). It will launch Environmental Stewardship (ES) Version 3 in the next few weeks, helping farmers understand on-farm greenhouse gas emissions and reduction opportunities like never before.

In this episode of The New England Holstein Association podcast series, Betsy Bullard talks with Tim Abbott and Kathleen O’keefe who share their unique perspective on the changing nature of event coverage and participation opportunities, as well as their iconic New England cows. The New England Holstein Association is a member association dedicated to encouraging the breeding and raising of Registered Holsteins.

In this episode of DairyVoice, Mike Opperman talks with Robin Smith, AFIS, CRM, CIC, RCLS of the Agri-Service Agency. They discuss renewal of health insurance for your farm. The Ag industry has a completely different set of needs than most other organizations and Robin digs in to some of the issues. From what you can afford and selecting a network to add-on and out of pocket costs, dairy farmers need to work with someone that understands the specific needs of a farm.

One resource is the Agri-Service Agency. You can find out more at agri-servicesagency.com.

In this episode of the Evolution of the Great Cow, Tim Abbott and Mike Duckett of Showbox Sires talk about their latest release Haveitall Sidekick Image-ET 744HO17702. In the podcast they speak to Adam Zehr from Walnutlawn Farms about this bull. They all feel this will make very well-balanced cows that can be used in many directions. Image should provide the style from both Doc and Sidekick, with great udders on both sides of the pedigree.

In this episode of Showbox Sires Evolution of the Great Cow, Tim Abbott and Mike Duckett talk with Justin Velthuis and Adam Hodgins of Hodglynn Holsteins of Ontario Canada about their latest release Maples Miraculous Red 744HO17701.

They discuss what breeding a cow like Maple has done for their breeding program and what made Maple so special.  A closer look at the profile of the bull, what traits stand out, and what they think the bull will transmit wrap up this discussion.

In this episode of DairyVoice, Tim Abbott of Showbox Sires with his series, The Evolution of the Great Cow, spends time with two of Horace Backus’ closest friends, Joel Hastings and Dave Rama, to talk about his contributions to the industry.

Horace Backus of Mexico, New York, the “Dean of Holstein Pedigrees”, passed peacefully in his sleep early on October 22, 2024. He spent his long career working with Registered Holsteins as a breeder, auction sale manager, author and organizational leader and is widely recognized by thousands of dairy breeders and industry leaders nationally and internationally. He was truly one of the Greatest Of All Time in the holstein world.

Tim, Dave, and Joel talk about their memories of Horace throughout the years and what they felt he brought to the table. There is a Horace Backus fund with Holstein Foundation, which is discussed in the podcast. If you would like more information on the Horace Backus Fund and how to help, contact the Holstein Foundation here.

In this podcast episode, Tim Abbott and Mike Duckett of Showbox Sires announce the release of their new bull ASHER-RED 744HO17546. Tim and Mike speak with Joe Brantmeier of Hilrose Dairy about the cow family and generations behind the bull. Joe Brantmeier talks about 14 year old Hilrose Advent Anna-Red and what she is like to work with.

They discuss how you would use ASHER-RED and, most importantly, when will semen be available and how do listeners get it? It is available through your Select Sires distributor within next 2 weeks. Contact them now.

In this episode of The Evolution of the Great Cow, Tim Abbott of Showbox Sires spoke with Robert (Bob/Fitzy) Fitzsimmons of East Montpelier, Vermont. They talked about old many great cows and people over the years. Bob was one of the first classifiers for Holstein Association and worked with Tim at St. Jacobs. Fitzy talks about his young success in the industry and his mentors over time, like Jerry Rappaport the influential Boston developer and attorney who bought several dairy farms in the Vermont area. Plus, those who had the biggest effect on his career, like Bill Weeks, Bob Lord, and his father.

This podcast is priceless and quite a trip down memory lane.

In this episode of DairyVoice, Dr. Donald Sockett from the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and Dr. Tom Earleywine of Purina Animal Nutrition talk with Connie Kuber of Sealpro Silage Barrier Films about current colostrum feeding practices and how they can be improved. They give tips for producers to help raise these healthy resilient calves and information on improvements to current colostrum feeding practices.