In this episode, we will introduce you to, and celebrate, the 2023 Nexus Innovation Award winners. They were recently recognized at Professional Dairy Producers' (PDPW) business conference. One of the award winners requires zero wires to work, another can separate corn stover from corn silage after its been in the pile, yet another inhibits pathogen growth in recycled manure solids, one can tell you how much water and how often your cows drink, and the final one uses a smell-masking technology to bring a product back into service that was last offered in the 1980s and that increases energy-corrected milk production. If you were present at the conference, you would have seen Editor Walt Cooley holding up a pineapple during his awards introduction of these companies. Cooley believes a pineapple is a good analogy for these winners. “What they offer is different than what you’ve seen before. It’s non-traditional. It’s not an apple or an orange. At first glance, it may not look that appealing. That's just because you may not have tried it. It feels different,” Cooley said during the conference. “Because what these companies offer is different, it will take just a bit more effort than other fruits to crack into. But I promise you, there is something exotic, unique and sweet inside each of these companies, just like a pineapple.” Congratulations to the 2023 Nexus Innovation Award winners! Nedap for its SmartFlow Milk MeterGlori Enterprises for The FoddArm & Hammer Animal Nutrition for its Certillus product for dairy beddingSmaXtec for its TruDrinking featureZinpro for IsoFerm

Do you wonder about the impact of your dairy checkoff investment? Join farmer hosts in conversations about how local and national checkoff works together to build dairy sales and trust in today’s changing marketplace. Episode 9 - Dairy Innovation: Who is doing it and how does it work? Hear from California dairy farmer Tyler Riberio and New York dairy farmer Emma Andrew-Swarthout chat with Michelle McBride, founder and CEO of GoodSport Nutrition, and Bill Graves, SVP of Product Research at Dairy Management, Inc. about dairy product innovation. Listen to the Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast here.

In this episode, editors Kimmi Devaney and Dave Natzke discuss the trends and insights they learned from talking with more than 100 dairy producers and industry leaders across the U.S. while compiling the 2023 State of Dairy coverage, which appeared in the March 12, 2023, issue of Progressive Dairy. Here's a breakdown of the episode: What we mean when we say “State of Dairy coverage”? [~2:20]How this annual coverage originated [~3:10]This year’s trends compared to the last few years [~3:45]Areas of optimism for the dairy industry in 2023 [~5:00]Overview of some of the words dairy producers and industry leaders used to describe 2023 [~6:30]Summary of some of the concerns and challenges facing the dairy industry in 2023 according to those Dave and Kimmi talked with across the industry [~7:40]Processing capacity strengths and weaknesses across the nation [~9:15]How dairy producers are addressing current challenges [~9:50]Noteworthy insights regarding the Federal Milk Marketing Order reform or other policies and regulations [~10:55]Dave and Kimmi discuss what they think brings the most optimism for the dairy industry in 2023 [~13:25]Rapid-fire questions: Get to know Dave Natzke [~15:25]

Calves are the future of our herd. Health and performance play a significant role in calf growth and development. And, ultimately, how well they start paying us back when they enter the milking herd. But raising calves isn’t always easy and they require special care and attention to detail.  In this episode, Taylor Wolfe, territory sales representative with DBC Ag Products, shares how we can navigate the challenges of calf raising to grow healthy, productive calves. She’ll share her perspective on what she sees and hears as she visits calf raisers across the Northeast.  Here is the episode breakdown: 1:27 – Taylor introduction 2:20 – Role helping calf raisers3:19 – Favorite part of working with dairy farmers4:28 – One thing about calf health that gets overlooked5:10 – Biggest on-farm challenges6:58 – Focusing on management practices7:35 – Uncovering hidden costs9:10 – Calf health and future milk production10:20 – Veterinarian prescriptions10:55 – Advice for calf raisers11:20 – Where to learn more This episode is sponsored by DBC Ag Products. DBC Ag Products offers innovative, all-natural eubiotics based products that set your calves up for success. First Arrival® with Encrypt® and Last Stand® with ImmWave® help calves maintain normal digestive health and support a healthy, functioning immune system. You can find them at an animal health distributor, dealer or veterinarian near you. Learn more at dbcagproducts.com.

This episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast includes a recap of the recent ground-breaking work that Editor Walt Cooley has done. He has collaborated with the IFCN Dairy Network to create the first-ever dairy farm tech poster. That poster is a collection of worldwide companies who are developing or deploying technology on dairy farms throughout the globe. Download a PDF of the poster here. Walt’s guest is Torsten Hemme, founder and CEO of the IFCN Dairy Network. They talk about how the poster came to be, the amount of dairy farm technology investment flowing into the dairy industry and the innovations that dairy farmers will need to become more efficient, sustainable and ultimately profitable into the future. Here is a breakdown of the episode: What is the IFCN Dairy Network? [~1:45] What is most impressive to you about milk economics around the ward? [~3:45] What is the dairy farm tech poster? [~5:00] Are people really interested in dairy farm tech? [~8:30] Where are dairy farm tech companies located? [~10:30] How much money is being invested in dairy farm tech? [~12:45] The dairy industry is bigger than Apple and Google combined? [~14:00] How are dairy farm tech companies categorized? [~15:15] What will be the core topic for the coming decade in dairy tech? [~20:00] How are current events impacting dairy technology advancement? [~23:00] Where are milk prices going globally? [~24:15] Rapid-fire questions [~28:00] Follow IFCN online. Join the dairy tech LinkedIn group.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Jenn Coyne visits with Justin Malone of Minnesota. Malone is an organic dairy producer who helped spearhead the acquisition of Hastings Creamery as a way to create a market for organic dairy products while sustaining family businesses for future generations. Not only has Malone played an integral role in developing this market, he and a small of group of dairy farmers also ventured into America’s Dairyland with the purchase of Comstock Creamery. The episode delves into these business decisions and what Malone has learned in creating a market for his organic milk.  Here is a breakdown of the episode: Tell me about your family’s farm and your history with organic dairy production. [~1:22]How was Smoky Hills Farmers Cooperative formed? [~4:21]When was the Hastings Creamery proposition pursued and why? [~5:22]Walk me through that purchase of the creamery and preparing the location with a new storefront and organic processing. [~10:56]What does the creamery look like today? [~13:43]What has been the feedback from the community? [~15:56]Since 2021 when the creamery was purchased, how has the business expanded? [~18:24]How do you do it all as a dairy farmer and general manager of the creamery? [~20:29]What has this business venture taught you or showed you as an organic dairy producer in today’s industry? [~22:27]What’s next for Justin Malone? [~28:05]Rapid-fire questions [~31:14]

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Kimmi Devaney is joined by Jenna Muller and Mary Campbell from the California Ag Mediation Program to discuss a resource that can help you resolve some of the tense situations and difficult conversations that inevitably come up while managing a business, especially one with your family. Mediation can assist with transitioning the farm from one generation to another, diffuse tense situations with neighbors and assist with multiple other situations. Visit calamp.org to learn more about mediation in California. Visit agriculturemediation.org for mediation in other states. Here’s a breakdown of the episode: How does mediation help farm families? [~1:00]The primary reasons a farmer would call a mediator [~2:40]Jenna and Mary walk us through the process when a farmer calls them for assistance [~3:40]How mediation can assist with transitioning the farm from one generation to another [~4:30]Facilitating debt issues [~8:55]Dealing with neighbor disputes [~10:20]Misconceptions they hear about facilitation and mediation [~13:30]Trainings offered and what they cover [~14:20]Additional tips for anyone looking to have more productive conversations and discussions [~15:55]How can farmers across the country who need some extra help navigating difficult conversations with family members, neighbors, or others find facilitators or mediators to help them? [~23:50]Rapid-fire questions [~27:40]

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Jenn Coyne visits with Evan Barton of South Fork Dairy Farm in Newark, Ohio. Barton is a first-generation dairy farmer who signed a deal with Clean Energy Fuel to use the manure that his cows produce to create renewable natural gas. The amount of clean fuel produced allows about 52 Amazon trucks to fill up at the fuel station each day as an added benefit to Barton reducing his farm’s carbon footprint. The episode also discusses Barton’s perspective as a first-generation farmer in today’s industry.  Here is the breakdown of the episode: Tell us about your career in the dairy industry. [~1:01]What led to this partnership with Clean Energy Fuel? [~3:43]What is the project timeline? [~5:00]How will you have to prepare your farm for the partnership? [~6:09]How will manure be processed at your farm? [~8:03]How has this business decision bettered your farm? [~8:57]From an environmental and sustainability standpoint, how are you anticipating this manure digester to benefit your farm? [~10:04]How did you get into the dairy industry? [~12:31]What have been those key moments that defined your career and helped you build it to what it is today? [~17:16]How do you evaluate a proposition and whether it’s right or not for your dairy? [~19:14]What was the best advice you’ve ever received regarding dairy farming? [~21:06]What advice would you give to a new producer entering today’s industry? [~22:01]What’s next for Evan Barton and South Fork Dairy Farm? [~22:57]Rapid-fire questions [~23:51] Contact Evan Barton: ebarton3@gmail.com

In this episode, host Kimmi Devaney talks with Derrick Josi, who is an Oregon dairy farmer and author that has built an online presence of 800,000 followers on Facebook and recently moved cows into new facilities on the farm. Kimmi and Derrick discuss what he did differently with the new facilities, how and why he started advocating online, why he wrote a book and much more. Read more about his book here: agproud.com/blogs/2-progressive-dairy-guest-blogs/post/54786-dairy-farmer-addresses-industry-misconceptions-in-new-book.  Here’s a breakdown of the episode: Derrick’s inspiration for building new facilities [~0:40]What they did differently in the new facilities vs. the old ones [~1:45]Cow comfort and ventilation in the new barns [~4:45]The most challenging part of the construction process [~5:35]How he’s grouping cows differently in the new facilities [~8:00]How doubling the herd size has changed their management [~8:55]What he would do differently if starting over today [~12:25]Future plans for a visitor center on the farm [~13:25]Tours [~15:15]Why Derrick started sharing his dairy story online [~16:40]His motivation for online advocacy [~18:45]Derrick’s strategy for dealing with negative people, trolls, activists on social media [~19:30]Content that resonates with his online audience [~21:35]How much time he spends engaging with followers in an average week [~24:15]Advice for other dairy farmers and industry representatives trying to start sharing their stories online [~27:00]Avoiding online advocacy burnout [~28:15]His inspiration for writing a book in 2021 [~30:10]Target audience for his book and what he hopes they gain from reading it [~31:15]Goals when writing An Industry Worth Fighting For [~31:40]Misconceptions addressed in the book [~32:10]Reader feedback [~33:05]Plans for future books [~33:35]Derrick’s key takeaways as a first-time author [~34:50]Rapid-fire questions [~36:05] To contact Derrick, email him at derrick@tdfhonestfarming.com

Do you wonder about the impact of your dairy checkoff investment? Join farmer hosts in conversations about how local and national checkoff works together to build dairy sales and trust in today’s changing marketplace. Episode 19 - What Happened With Dairy Promotion In 2022? Hear from Pennsylvania dairy farmer and Dairy Management Inc. Chair Marilyn Hershey and Missouri dairy farmer and National Dairy Board Chair Alex Peterson discuss the 2022 checkoff’s dairy promotion... Here is a breakdown of this episode: 0:40 - DMI's Scott Wallin introduces Dairy Management Inc. Chair Marilyn Hershey and National Dairy Board Chair Alex Peterson.3:09 - How checkoff is reaching Gen Z through gaming and online marketing5:16 - How checkoff tells dairy's sustainability story to consumers7:28 - How large restaurant and retail partnerships are driving dairy sales and innovation8:12 - Checkoff's new collaboration with the Mayo Clinic and dairy's role in health and wellness9:34 - How U.S. Dairy Export Council is driving sales in dairy exports13:03 - How checkoff is piloting new milk programs in schools with smoothies and bulk milk15:17 - Dairy consumption in the U.S. is on the rise17:29 - The future of dairy promotion19:34 - How farmers can get involved in dairy promotion Listen to the Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast here.

In this episode, Progressive Dairy Podcast co-hosts Kimmi Devaney, Walt Cooley and Jenn Coyne discuss some of their favorite articles and podcast guests from 2022, along with what they are most looking forward to in 2023 at Progressive Dairy. Additionally, get to know your co-hosts better during a special co-host version of the rapid-fire questions.  Reach out to any of our co-hosts with comments and episode ideas (editor@progressivedairy.com), and we will see you back here in 2023! Kimmi Devaney  Walt Cooley Jenn Coyne

The future of dairy farming is already here. In this episode, Rudy Ebbekink, marketing and communications manager for Nedap, discusses what technology is on the horizon to improve the life of cows, farmers and farm families for many years to come. This episode is sponsored by Nedap. Nedap is the global leader in farming automation using individual animal identification. For more than 40 years, Nedap strengthens dairy farmers through the most reliable and innovative cow identification, monitoring and automation solutions. They empower managers and personnel with dependable information to make operational and strategic decisions and help dairies become more efficient, productive and successful. For Nedap, trust and reliability in both partnership and technology are key. Leading international dairy farming companies, including genetics and milking equipment suppliers, partner with Nedap to include its technology in their systems. A publicly listed company, Nedap employs more than 800 people globally, across 10 locations and seven business units.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Robert Hagevoort from New Mexico State University and Dr. Mike Tomaszewski from Texas A&M about the U.S. Dairy Education and Training Consortium, which is a program for college dairy students that pairs practical, on-farm experience with in-the-classroom learning from some of the nation’s best dairy professors. Learn more about the program and find an application for the 2023 summer class at https://usdetc.tamu.edu Here is a breakdown of the episode: An overview of the program [~ 1:36]How the consortium started [~4:20]More about the evolution of the program over the past 15 years [~8:50]How the program prepares students for a variety of careers in the dairy industry [~10:27]Networking opportunities available through the consortium [~13:49]Other skills students learn [~16:08]How the program combines classroom learning and on-farm practical experience [~20:00]Success stories from alumni [~21:35]Feedback received from alumni that completed the survey they sent out last summer [~27:28]Requirements for students to apply [~32:30]How students can learn more about the program and apply for the upcoming class [~36:15]

Dr. Alfonso Lago, President and Chief Science Officer at the contract research organization, DairyExperts (Tulare, CA), summarizes the results of a trial he conducted on behalf of Native Microbials. The 40-week week study tested the effect of two microbial products consisting of microorganisms sourced from the rumen on the production of Holstein dairy cows. The study found that microbial feed supplementation improved economically important outcomes such as milk yield, solids, and feed efficiency. The study has been published by the Journal of Animal Science. This episode is sponsored by Native Microbials.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Jenn Coyne visits with Jake Peissig of JTP Farms. Peissig and his lean workforce strive for superior milk quality and cow care with a strategic approach to mastitis treatment and dry cow therapy. This Wisconsin dairy producer was recently recognized as the inaugural Dairy First award recipient by Boehringer Ingelheim, celebrating Peissig’s commitment to milk quality practices and the well-being of his herd.   Here is a breakdown of this episode: Tell me about JTP Farms. [~1:40]What is your farming philosophy on growing and sustaining the herd in today’s dairy industry? [~2:42]What are management things you do on the farm that let you achieve your goals regarding milk quality and cow comfort? [~4:55]How do you address milk quality in your herd with selective dry cow therapy, mastitis culturing and other treatment protocols? [~6:12]What have been the positive outcomes in terms of milk quality, herd health and overall herd performance? [~10:45]What challenges have you and your team had to overcome in order to meet your farm goals? [~12:56]How has technology played a role in achieving your farm goals? [~15:35]Could you imagine farming and managing a milking herd any other way without technology? [~19:02]What’s next for Jake Peissig and the team at JTP Farms? [~20:07]What advice would you give other dairy producers who are looking to improve their herd management, specifically targeting improved milk quality and the overall well-being of the animals on their farm? [~21:49]How does Boehringer Ingelheim’s inaugural Dairy First award reflect what you and your team accomplish each day at JTP Farms? [~24:56]Rapid fire questions [~25:46] Contact: Jake Peissig Jtpfarms@hotmail.com

On this episode of The Dairy Dive we’re joined by someone smarter than us, much smarter. Sara Kvidera, of Elanco, joins the show as we dive deep into the world of animal health. Sara does a fantastic job of explaining some complicated topics in a way that even Scott and Andrew can understand! This episode is sponsored by Masters Choice. Welcome to The Dairy Dive, a newly reformatted podcast (formerly known as the MC Podcast) that is dedicated to diving deep into topics that are important to today’s dairy farms. Every other Wednesday hosts, Scott Harris and Andrew Crabtree, are joined by leading industry professionals to fully engage their expertise in unique aspects of dairy, exploring everything from robotic milkers to dairy nutrition. It’s a fun, and sometimes quirky, auditory experience that is unlike anything else in the ag podcast space. Find The Dairy Dive, sponsored by Masters Choice, wherever you get your podcasts.

Editor Walt Cooley visits with Progressive Dairy contributor Andy “Caygeon” Junkin during World Dairy Expo about working with family and succession planning. This three-part episode discusses how to goal set for success, how the next generation should work with their elders on the farm, and how to set a farm on the right path for succession. Junkins’s niche is helping stubborn farmers work better together.  Here’s a breakdown of the episode: Business planning for farm families [~2:45]Junkin’s business plan in his wallet and how he manages day-to-day goals [~9:30]One-page business plan [~12:45]Creating short mission and vision statements and how it can change your operation [~18:15]Importance of shared goals [~21:40]What it takes to put a succession plan in place [~24:00]How to transfer management and wisdom before transferring assets [~34:10]First draft of succession strategy [~41:45]Tips for navigating family members not being on the same page [~46:30]Why many farm families struggle with communicating with each other [~50:45]Tackling four to five areas the farm struggles with [~56:20]Importance of common values and beliefs [~57:45]Navigating changing family dynamics during the first few years of coming back to the farm [~59:45] To learn more about Junkin’s work in this area, visit www.stubborn.farm

Dairy farmers rely on data to make timely management decisions to optimize individual cow, herd, employee and farm success. In this episode, Matt Heisner, dairy product specialist for Nedap, introduces the Nedap SmartFlow Milk Meter and describes how it can accurately measure milk yield and flow rate in your milking system. This episode is sponsored by Nedap. Nedap develops technology for life. Technology that helps people be more successful and happier in their professional lives. For Nedap Livestock Management this means helping professional dairy and pig producers run a profitable, sustainable and enjoyable business. The solutions Nedap creates enable them to automate everyday tasks and make informed decisions based on individual animal identification and data. This way Nedap empowers livestock producers to respond to the growing global demand for animal protein in a way that is both profitable and aligned with rising standards for animal welfare, sustainability, transparency and the safety and quality of food. Learn more at https://www.nedap-livestockmanagement.com/dairy-farming/ Here’s the episode breakdown: 0:40 – Welcome, Matt Heisner and host, Tera Baker1:34 – Who is Nedap?2:04 – Introduction to the SmartFlow Milk Meter and what makes it different?3:20 – What are the advantages to being wireless?4:38 – Can you tell us more about the technology behind the SmartFlow?5:18 – How does this make a farmer’s life easier?5:59 – Describe how a farmer can take action from the data.7:01 – Can you share how this affects the cow or cow comfort?8:19 – Does this interfere with the milking process?8:56 – Where can farmer’s find the data?9:51 – How do you manage the meter day-to-day?10:58 – How does this fit into a farmer’s current milking system?11:36 – Where and how can Nedap technology be accessed?12:39 – Is it cost effective and how does it affect milk quality?14:20 – Can you share when the Nedap SmartFlow milk meter will be available to farmers?

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Kimmi Devaney visits with author and well-known speaker Michele Payn about stress – what it is, how it manifests, how it impacts our farms, and most importantly, what we can do about it. Michele is passionate about agriculture and has connected with a multitude of audiences about utilizing science to connect people across the food plate, in addition to advocacy, mental health and much more. Here is a breakdown of the episode: About Michele, her dairy background and how she helps farmers [~1:30]What inspired your passion for helping farmers with mental health and stress management? [~2:50]What are you hearing from farmers these days about stress, stress levels and stress management? [~4:40]How has that conversation changed in the last five to 10 years? [~6:40]What does work-life balance look like on a dairy farm and what are some first steps farmers can take if they are looking for more balance in their lives? [~8:45]How do stress and cortisol manifest in the body? [~12:20]What are the consequences of maintaining stress levels that are too high for too long? [~14:25]On the flip side, are there any benefits to stress? [~17:15]How can our listeners recognize if their stress is out of control? [~17:40]What are some of the ways to create a buffer against stress? [~19:25]You recorded an episode with Eliz Greene on your podcast about how overwhelm and uncertainty are two main stressors for many people. Tell us more about this and why these two in particular are so impactful. [~23:00]Why do you say stress management is an essential business practice and how can someone be strategic about either dealing with or preventing stress? [~26:35]You recently developed a growth journal. Tell us about that and how someone can utilize it. [~30:20]What are some resources farmers can access as they incorporate stress management into their lives and businesses? [~33:10]What are some red flags people should be looking for in their friends and family when it comes to mental health and stress management? [~34:55]What else should farmers know about mental health and stress management that we haven’t covered yet? [~37:25]What role does gratitude play in all of this? [~39:05]Rapid-fire questions [~42:00] Contact Michele Payn Website: causematters.com Email: mpayn@causematters.com Social media: @mpaynspeaker

In this episode, you’ll hear from Wisconsin dairy farmer Mack Drees of Drees Dairy Farm. Mack is the “cow guy” on his family dairy. When he came home from college, the dairy needed to expand but didn’t want to have to manage more people. They decided to milk with robots in their new expansion. Mack talks about whether he thinks it’s better to bite off a whole bunch of technology at once when going with robots or if staged adoption of technology is preferable. He also gives his answer as to whether the activity monitoring has paid for itself more in repro improvements or if cow health improvements for his registered Holstein herd are returning more of an investment. This podcast was recorded during the 2022 National Holstein Convention in South Dakota this past summer. Mack was a participant on the Data and Innovation Summit producer panel. Listen to that panel here. Here is a breakdown of the episode: Tell us about your farm. [~1:45]Give us your experience transitioning your farm to milking robots. [~3:00]If you had to do it over again, would you stairstep into technology or make a big leap into it all at one time? Why? [~5:00]How long did it take for cows to get used to the robots? [~6:45]At what age do you put your activity monitors on? [~9:00]Explain your experience of using activity monitoring to dial in optimum breeding time. [~10:00]In what ways is technology already providing a payback on your farm? [~11:15]Do you think you get more of a payback from activity monitoring on the health or repro side of your farm? [~14:15]In your opinion, how can farmers best utilize sort gates with monitoring? [~15:45]Talk about how you do regular milk testing with your robots. [~19:45]Explain your farm’s three-pronged approach to evaluating technology. [~25:00]Describe how activity monitoring quantified the value of treatment vs. prevention. [~31:00]What’s a decision you need to make in the upcoming months? [~33:30] Follow Drees Dairy Farm online: www.facebook.com/dreesdairy