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Lessons Learned On The Dairy Farm

By Marie Morris

Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to do something related to animals and/or agriculture for my career. I always enjoyed and excelled in math and science, so I knew that I probably would end up more on that side of the agriculture/animal spectrum versus the agriculture business side, but I wasn’t opposed to exploring this side of the industry.

In high school and even early college, I thought that I knew what I wanted to do, but I really didn’t. Honestly, even into my first five years of my current career, I wasn’t sure if it was my true long-term career.

In hindsight, it was a blessing not knowing what I really wanted to do, and in my 10 years as a full-time dairy farmer, I have learned so much and feel like I am in a place where I fit perfectly.

I graduated from college with my bachelor’s degree in biology, with the thought that I needed to pursue higher education. I got into law school with the idea of pursuing a law degree with a focus on agricultural law. Thankfully, I sat on this acceptance for a while and decided that I didn’t really think law school was exactly what I wanted to do.

During my last two years of college, I had already started working on a local dairy farm. I was going to college and putting in 40 hours a week at the dairy. I really enjoyed what I was doing, but never really gave it the thought that it was a permanent place for me. In the back of my mind, I still had the thought that I needed to do more.

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How to read EPDs (expected progeny differences)

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Expected progeny differences (EPDs) may look complicated at first, but they are a practical tool for making informed beef cattle breeding decisions. The bulls or replacement heifers you select today will influence herd performance, productivity and profitability for years to come.

This animated video, produced by the Beef Cattle Research Council, explains how to read and use EPDs in a clear, straightforward way. You’ll learn what the numbers mean, how to interpret them and see a step-by-step example of comparing EPDs between animals to help select genetics that fit your herd goals.