Inefficient dairy farms soon fail. With profit margins hovering at 1 there is always room for improvement. Research points to new methods, and long established practices can be enhanced.

Embryo transplant methods advance yearly. Super-ovulation (by hormone therapy) of prime genetic cows produces several embryos. Transplanting to less valuable cows multiplies genetic herd quality.

Every dairy farmer will recall a day when something went wrong. The milking herd gets agitated ” production goes down. New developments have made improvements in old methods.

Udder washers have proven viable and hygienic. Regularity of the wash phase, with temperature and pressure control, minimizes excitement. Automatic take-off milking units have improved, not only minimizing mastitis, not over-milking improves production.

Fully automated milking systems, ones that really work, are now available.

Recent nutritional research integrated with computerized feeding systems improves production. New software is many times more effective than in years past.

Milk parlor design, increasing daily milkings, and dry periods have been heavily researched; all strategies must be considered.

Animal behaviorists are now weighing in. Leading edge research to increase milk production involves bovine psychology. In one example, calf vocalizations were recorded. When played in the milking barn 1-2 increases in production were recorded.