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Happy New Year! With 2021 almost behind us, enjoy this bonus episode of “Cow-Side Conversations” featuring some of our favorite moments from Season One. Over the last year, we’ve interviewed dairy farmers from across the state – from Wayne County just a few miles from New York to Westmoreland County near Pittsburgh.  As dairy farmers, we all have something we can learn from one another. Being able to exchange stories and ideas is what has made this podcast so refreshing. Thanks for listening!

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Our employees are essential to every aspect of our business, especially on dairy operations. With Willow Behrer Farms in Huntingdon County, PA recently being recognized by the National FARM Program for their efforts in workforce development, Allen Behrer and Pete Posnett joined us for this episode of “Cow-Side Conversations.” Listen as they describe creative ways they are cultivating employee engagement to help achieve their performance goals.

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To kick off Season 2 of Cow-Side Conversations, John Kline of Lebanon County, PA shares how creating a successful transition plan for his five sons has helped them take on responsibilities and make decisions for Klinedale Farms and their satellite embryo business. Passing the dairy farm on to his sons – who he describes as a dream team – has also allowed John to embrace a leadership role with OnFire Youth Ministries and serve his community. In this podcast episode, listen as John shares the challenges that come with transition planning, the rewards of getting involved in the community, and the close-knit nature of the dairy community.

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With October being American Cheese Month, Emily Montgomery of Calkins Creamery on Highland Farms in Wayne County, PA shared how she got her start with cheese-making. With her team making about 1,500 pounds of cheese a week, Emily discussed how she manages quality and consistency, drives profitability for her family’s dairy farm, connects with customers, and navigates the growing demand for their products. In our 12th episode of Cow-Side Conversations, listen as Emily shares both the rewards and challenges of managing a small-scale creamery. 

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Safety protocols are a critical part of your dairy business to protect yourself and your employees. As we enter the fall harvest season, Brett Reinford of Reinford Farms in Juniata County, PA opened up about a farm accident he experienced last November — an accident he describes as “a direct hit, not a near miss.” In our 11th episode of Cow-Side Conversations, he describes the tools they use to prioritize farm safety and also shares how methane digesters are impacting their operation, including new revenue streams.

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One expense that is often overlooked on dairy farms is energy-related costs. In our 10th episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Josh Waddell of Apple Shamrock Dairy Farm in Crawford County, PA describes his model for success. Josh shares how an energy audit led to new opportunities and savings, and he breaks down several ways his family focuses on efficiency through cow comfort, other enterprises, and succession planning. 

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Over the past few months, we have seen feed costs rising exponentially as grain market prices reached record highs and remain well above historical averages. With overall feed costs representing anywhere from 35 to 70 percent of the total costs on a dairy, Walt Moore of Walmoore Holsteins in Chester County, PA shares his go-to strategies for managing feed costs and efficiency during our ninth episode of Cow-Side Conversations. 

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June is extra special in Pennsylvania. Not only is it June Dairy Month, but Holstein breeders from all over the country are coming to the southeast corner of our state to celebrate the National Holstein Convention and to spotlight Pennsylvania Holstein genetics. In our eighth episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Duane Hershey of Ar-Joy Farms in Chester County, PA shares how he uses genomic testing to improve his herd’s productivity and longevity. Plus, he shares an exciting way he’s connecting with consumers in his community during June Dairy Month with free ice cream!

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After a barn fire in 2008 and a near fatal accident in 2018 where he found himself between a gate and an oncoming skidloader, Chuck Carr of Lone Oak Farm joined us for our seventh episode of Cow-Side Conversations to share his inspiring journey toward recovery – both physically and mentally. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Chuck described his suggestions and personal experiences with mental health challenges that are unique to dairy farmers. 

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In our sixth episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Jason Frye of Pleasant Lane Farms in Westmoreland County, describes how a simple business plan helped his family transform their dairy and enter the value-added space to begin making cheese. After working in the high-tech space, Jason shares how they are adopting and embracing new technology and using their business plan to bring their goals to life.