Bovine Banter

Dairy Educator Daniela Roland talks with Dr. Alyssa Collins and Dr. Paul Esker from Penn State about mycotoxins and Penn State's current mycotoxin research. 

The question we hear everywhere is simple: when is the milk price going up? The real answer is complicated, and that is exactly why we brought on Dr. Becca Weir, assistant professor of agricultural economics at Penn State, to translate the dairy pricing system into plain language you can actually use.

We start with Becca’s path from a Minnesota dairy farm to dairy economics, then compare Minnesota and Pennsylvania dairy production, from regional pockets of farms to the issues producers raise most often. From there we dive into how milk is priced under Federal Milk Marketing Orders, including the four milk classes and the idea of backward induction. Becca breaks down how surveyed wholesale prices for cheese, butter, dry whey, and nonfat dry milk become component prices like protein and butterfat, with make allowances and yield factors shaping the final numbers.

Then we shift from price to profitability. Becca makes the case that risk management begins with strong records and a clear cost of production per hundredweight, not a perfect milk price forecast. We also cover two USDA programs that can help manage volatility: Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), which protects margins using national milk and feed benchmarks, and Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP), which can set a revenue floor tied to your farm. Finally, we touch on her research on DMC participation and why Pennsylvania rates have lagged, plus her work linking net merit genetics to farm profitability.

If this helped you think differently about milk pricing, farm financial management, or dairy risk tools, subscribe, share the show with another producer, and leave us a review.

Join Dairy Educator Kasey Hower as she interviews Penn State Forage Specialist Dr. Guojie Wang and Agronomy Educators Andrew Frankenfield and Zachary Curtis on the latest research trials conducted by their team and what this means for cropping and feed management on Pennsylvania dairy farms.

Guest speaker contact information:

Dr. Guoji Wang - [email protected]

Andrew Frankenfield - [email protected]

Zack Curtis - [email protected]

Join us this week as we connect with Penn State Animal Science professors and grad students to translate new dairy nutrition and management research into on-farm decisions that improve health, components, and profit. We focus on precision as a way to manage uncertainty, then move on to the latest in soybeans, minerals, VR training, and milk fat strategies you can actually use. This episode will focus on:
• Soybean processing methods and how they change protein and performance
• Inflammation, metabolism, and feed ingredients that may support cows during challenges
• Calcium carbonate source differences and measuring stress and immune responses
• Organic and regenerative grazing data collection on pasture, milk, and soil health
• High oleic soybean characterization across farms plus particle size questions
• Molasses form and distribution effects on feed sorting in mature cow diets
• Virtual reality training acceptance for milking and calving assistance as a complement to hands-on training
• Milk fat synthesis research, milk fat depression prevention, buffers, DCAD, and magnesium strategies

Join Dairy Educator, Emily Fread, as she interviews members of the Penn State Extension Veterinary Team. Dr. Adrian Barragan, Dr. Vinny Buiatte, and Dr. Jen Ida talk about their current research at the university.

Join Penn State Extension educators Anna Hodgson, Emily Fread, and Assistant Director of Programs Nicole Thompson as they describe opportunities for farmers to be involved in and initiate research projects. 

Rumen development drives the future of a calf. It is the beginning of forage digestion, growth, nutrient absorption and future milk production. This is especially true for calves being raised for organic purposes. Join us on this week's episode of Bovine Banter to learn about proper rumen development in calves for organic production and how to achieve it in your calf herd. 

In this episode, Dairy Educator Daniela Roland talks with Chris Anderson, of Sustainable Strategies, to unpack the regulations, financial realities, and key considerations for dairy farmers thinking about transitioning from conventional production to organic. 

Join Berks County dairy educator, Kasey Hower, as she interviews Dr. Hayley Springer, the Animal Health Division Chief for the Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostics Service at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. They discuss the emerging threat of the Asian Longhorned Tick and what dairy producers can do to manage this pest. 

In this episode, we talk with organic dairy producers Matt and Garrett Byler about transitioning to organic production, the family dynamic of working together, and making your neighbors wonder what you are doing.