Tune in for today’s episode of Dairy Delivery for the lateststories from the Dairy Star.

First, we talk with Ron Brooks, one of four farmers named a 2025 Wisconsin Master Agriculturist. He did not think he was going to be a farmer, but when he was 22, his parents started a succession plan after his uncle was stepping awayfrom the farm due to health reasons. Another story in today’s podcast episode is from the Dairy History section of the Dairy Star. The story takes us to 1919 when the Sisters of St. Francis in Rochester purchased 212 acres for a dairy farm. By 1923, the barn was built and the dairy had commenced supplying milk to one of the Sisters’ ministries, St. Mary’s Hospital, in Rochester. Joe Adamson is the fourth private, individual owner of the barn and has now given it a newlife again hosting community events. The next conversation we hear from Minnesota dairy farmer and recent Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association Hall of Fame inductee Spencer Hacket. He has spent his lifetime learning all hecan about Holstein genetics. Today, he uses genomics on his farm as a tool to advance his herd and the breed through the cows and bulls he has developed. The final conversation talks about the Brown Swiss breed. Though Roger and LoriRead have won the Brown Swiss Protein Genetic Herd in the category for herds with over 100 cows three times before, when they received notice that they were being honored again, Roger had to read the letter several times to believe itwas true. The Brown Swiss Protein Genetic Herd award, which the Reads won, is based on an algorithm that considers both Dairy Herd Improvement Associationcomponent results as well as genetics.

New episodes will now be released Mondays after the newspaper is published, sharing the conversations now sooner! Send story ideas and your comments to [email protected].

Subscribe to the podcast for reminders of episodes - next episode is released August 25 - about the dairy community and leave a review!
We look forward to bringing you this brand new way to consume Dairy Star. This is Dairy Delivery. All dairy, all the time.

This episode is sponsored by Dairy Star
Stay connected with Dairy Star:— dairystar.com— Get the Milk Break Newsletter: www.dairystar.com/milk-break-newsletter-signup/— Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DairyStar— Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dairy_star_newspaper/— Follow us on X: www.x.com/dairystar_/

— Follow us on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/dairy-star/

TIME STAMPS

5:15 - Generational success

13:32 - A dairy owned by nuns

18:36 - Advancing the breed

23:36 - A family recognized as national Brown Swiss ProteinAward

Today’s episode we hear insights and knowledge from longtime columnists who have been contributing content to Dairy Star for decades. We also highlight some of our reporters' photo stops from the latest Dairy Star issue, which features stops from over 40 farms, fairs and events throughout the Midwest with our annual photo issue.

First, we talked about nutrition with Barry Visser. Visserhas been involved in dairy for over two decades helping dairy farmers. He also talks about what he is looking at with this year’s forages and what farmers should consider in the months ahead. Then, we hear from Megan Weisenbeck, aveterinarian. She talks about how she got involved working in the industry and what she enjoys writing about in her columns. The final two columnists provide some humor to Dairy Star issues. Tim Zweber talks about how he got involved in the industry, and his advice. The final columnist, who has contributed to Dairy Star in many different ways, is Jerry Nelson. He talks about what he has seen on dairy farms over the last few decades and his connection to the dairyindustry. Nelson also shares his advice for dairy farmers.

New episodes will now be released Mondays after thenewspaper is published. Send story ideas and your comments to [email protected].

Subscribe to the podcast for reminders of episodes - nextepisode is released August 11 - about the dairy community and leave a review!

We look forward to bringing you this brand new way toconsume Dairy Star. This is Dairy Delivery. All dairy, all the time.

This episode is sponsored by Fuller’s Milker Center.

Stay connected with Dairy Star:

— dairystar.com

— Get the Milk Break Newsletter: www.dairystar.com/milk-break-newsletter-signup/

— Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DairyStar

— Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dairy_star_newspaper/ 

— Follow us on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/dairy-star/

— Follow us on X: www.x.com/dairystar_ 

TIME STAMPS

6:35-16:18 – Barry Visser

17:22-22:38 – Megan Weisenbeck

24:31-31:28 – Tim Zweber

31:54-39:44 – Jerry Nelson

Tune in to today’s episode of Dairy Delivery for the lateststories from the Dairy Star.

First, we hear how one farm in Iowa found a way to offset the increased cost of electricity using solar panels. The owners at Distant View Farms installed solar panels at four locations on the farm and vary in size, ranging from 11 kilowatts at the feed lot to 220 kilowatts at the main dairy. Another story we hear is from the Matter family as they have recently been recognized as the 2025 Wright County Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota Extension. Nestled among housing developments in Delano,the Matter family spends their days milking cows, making maple syrup and raising livestock at Matter Family Farm. We also hear a story of a farming couple who won a local radio contest in Minnesota to see George Strait performin Boston, Massachusetts. The morning the winner was to be announced on air, the Zimmermanns had just finished milking their cows and stepped into the barn office to grab a bite to eat when Zimmermann’s phone rang. The final conversation takes us to Wisconsin, where a partnership has grown with Sassy Cow Creamery and the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. Now in its 10th year, the efforts to symbolically adopt a dairy cow began in 2015. Thisyear, the creamery wanted to make an even bigger impact.

Send story ideas and your comments to [email protected].

Subscribe to the podcast for reminders of episodes - nextepisode is released July 31 - about the dairy community and leave a review!

We look forward to bringing you this brand new way toconsume Dairy Star. This is Dairy Delivery. All dairy, all the time.

This episode is sponsored by Stout Buckets.

Stay connected with Dairy Star:

— dairystar.com

— Get the Milk Break Newsletter: www.dairystar.com/milk-break-newsletter-signup/

— Follow us on X: www.x.com/dairystar_

— Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DairyStar

— Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dairy_star_newspaper/ 

— Follow us on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/dairy-star/

TIME STAMPS

5:24-8:07 - Sunny Future at Distant View Farms

9:35-12:56 - A Family Matter

14:20-18:52 - Strait to Boston

19:33-25:35 - Adopt a Cow Benefits Food bank

There are many stories from the latest issue of the Dairy Star newspaper, and we are highlighting a few of them in this episode of Dairy Delivery. 

Today’s podcast starts with a conversation with Ella Logue, who embraces the opportunities within the dairy industry with no prior experience. Now, she has worked for four dairy farms over the past three years and wants her involvement in the dairy industry to be lifelong. Another story we hear is from high school athlete Larkun Kurth and how lessons in hard work were earned at a young age on the dairy farm. Early morning chores and ensuring the job was not just done, but done right, taught him wisdom that translated to his athletic career. In the third segment, we hear how four out of the four sixth generation of the Strutz family are working together on the farm in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. All four kids have degrees from Lakeshore College or Fox Valley Technical College. The interests of the Strutz siblings converged on the farm as each one returned home and started to specialize in their passions. The last conversation is how Mike and Mary Giese are providing opportunities for4-H members to gain dairy experience. For kids who want to be part of agriculture, but do not have a farm with dairy, the Gieses hope that giving them a chance to show and work with animals can instill life lessons. 

New episodes are released Thursdays after the newspaper is published. Send story ideas and your comments to [email protected].

Subscribe to the podcast for reminders of episodes - next episode is released July 31 - about the dairy community and leave a review!

We look forward to bringing you this brand-new way to consume Dairy Star. This is Dairy Delivery. All dairy, all the time.

This episode is sponsored by MN Tarp & Liner.
Stay connected with Dairy Star:

— dairystar.com

— Get the Milk Break Newsletter: www.dairystar.com/milk-break-newsletter-signup/

— Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DairyStar

— Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dairy_star_newspaper/ 

— Follow us on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/dairy-star/

TIME STAMPS

4:53 - City Girl Gone Country

11:43 - From Dairy Barn to Pitcher's Mound

18:18 - Entire Sixth Generation Working Together

24:39 - Giese's Open Farms and Hearts

Tune in to today’s episode of Dairy Delivery for the lateststories from the Dairy Star.

First, we hear from Don Weiss, one of four recipients of the2025 Wisconsin Master Agriculturalist award. Despite running a 2,300-cow dairynear Durand, Wisconsin, his operation is still seen as a family-run cornerstoneof the community. The award dates back 95 years and honors farmers for theirhard work, dedication, farming success and exemplary leadership. We alsohighlight the success of school milk dispensers in one Minnesota community,Sauk Centre. Since unveiled in the school district in September 2024, milkconsumption is up, waste is down and sugary beverages are on the decline.Another story highlights Lester Perschbacher, who received his nickname “Lesterthe Tester” from a trio of farm kids the first night he tested for theMinnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association Oct. 9, 1956, at age 22.Perschbacher wrapped up his nearly 69-year testing career at the age of 91 onMay 13. Perschbacher had been testing for eight herds in Freeborn, Martin,Faribault and Waseca Counties. In the last conversation, we hear about researchon raising youngstock from Andrew Plumski with the University of Minnesota’sSouthern Research and Outreach Center near Waseca, Minnesota. Each researchproject contains 100-120 calves and the calves are evenly distributed from eachdairy to control the variables. 

New episodes are released Thursdays after the newspaper ispublished. Send story ideas and your comments to [email protected].

Subscribe to the podcast for reminders of episodes - nextepisode is released July 3 - about the dairy community and leave a review!

We look forward to bringing you this brand new way toconsume Dairy Star. This is Dairy Delivery. All dairy, all the time.

This episode is sponsored by MN Tarp & Liner.

Stay connected with Dairy Star:

— dairystar.com

— Get the Milk Break Newsletter: www.dairystar.com/milk-break-newsletter-signup/

— Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DairyStar

— Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dairy_star_newspaper/ 

— Follow us on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/dairy-star/

Time Stamps

5:03 - Humble farmer earns top honor

10:27 - Dispensing fresh milk

21:46 - Lester the Tester hangs up hat

28:01 - Calf data farmers can use

Tune in to today's episode of Dairy Delivery for the latest stores from the Dairy Star.

First, a farmer's perspective from the recent tornado devastation in Wisconsin from Jeremy Nehls who witnessed some of the damage including the loss of several barns at Schwandt Family Farm. Another story highlights the bond between a father and son duo — Wayne and Derek. In April, Wayne donated a kidney to Derek and both are now recovering from the successful surgery. We also highlight mental health from first-generation farmer Josh Steiner who is using his family experiences to check in with his neighbors often. For the final conversation, we hear from how a call from a former student led Ryan Holthaus to an agriculture education and FFA program in Iowa.

New episodes are released Thursdays after the newspaper is published. Send story ideas and your comments to [email protected].

Subscribe to the podcast for reminders of episodes - next episode will be released June 19 - about the dairy community and leave a review!

We look forward to bringing you this brand new way to consume Dairy Star. This is Dairy Delivery. All dairy, all the time.

This episode is sponsored by Useful Farm Products.

Stay connected with Dairy Star:

— dairystar.com

— Get the Milk Break Newsletter: www.dairystar.com/milk-break-newsletter-signup/— Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DairyStar

— Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dairy_star_newspaper/

— Follow us on X: www.x.com/dairystar_—Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/dairy-star/

Time Stamps

Introduction - 0:00-5:33

5:35-9:38 - A state-wide path of destruction

11:05-18:08 - A life-saving donation

19:04-25:50 - Cultivating more than crops

26:54-30:54 - Reviving Agriculture Roots

30:56-33:22 - Preview of other stories in the May 24 issue of the Dairy Star

There are many stories from the latest issue of the Dairy Star newspaper, and we are highlights a few of them in this episode of Dairy Delivery. We are excited to bring you the newest way to hear dairy farmers' stories, now available as a podcast.

Today's conversations are with many people connected to the dairy industry. First, a dairy farmer attending the NFL Draft, hosted by the Green Bay Packers last month, described the experience like celebrating a family holiday. Another conversation we hear is about when the fourth generation made a long-term commitment to Country Aire Farms, the plan for a new generation of facilities and updates was set in motion. Then, another conversation is with Troy and Sandy Madland with how they began milking cows in a rented barn, to now grow the farm with the latest expansion in 2022. Finally, the last story discusses safety with how a brother's death prompts bunker setup change for a Minnesota dairy farm.

New episodes are released Thursdays after the newspaper is published. Send story ideas and your comments to [email protected].

Subscribe to the podcast for reminders of episodes - next episode is released May 29 - about the dairy community and leave a review!

We look forward to bringing you this brand-new way to consume the Dairy Star. This is Dairy Delivery. All dairy, all the time.

This episode is sponsored by FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative.

Stay connected with Dairy Star:

- dairystar.com

- Get the Milk Break Newsletter: www.dairystar.com/milk-break-newsletter-signup/- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DairyStar

- Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dairy_star_newspaper/ 

- Follow us on X: www.x.com/dairystar_

- Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/dairy-star/

Time Stamps

0:00-4:10 - Introduction

4:11-7:19 - Christmas in Titletown - Charlie Riewe attends NFL Draft

8:45-14:35 - Ready for the next generation - Country Aire Dairy expansion

15:48-20:20 - Growing like mad - Troy and Sandy Madland, growing from 32 cows to 520 in 34 years

21:13-28:31 - Safety born from tragedy - Matt Hendel and his experience with Minnesota OHSA

28:32 - 31:37 - Preview of other stories in the May 10 issue of the Dairy Star

There are many stories from the latest issue of the Dairy Star newspaper, and we are highlighting a few of them in this episode of Dairy Delivery. We are excited to bring you the newest way to hear dairy farmers' stories, now available as a podcast.

Today's conversations are with people connected to the dairy industry. First, a brother and sister starting a business near the Twin Cities metro to cuddle cute and cuddly calves. Another conversation we hear how Jeff Novak and his wife, Kayla, started their own dairy farm and how he balances his many enterprises while raising a family on the farm. Then, we hear the ins and outs of a Minnesota top herd performer from one of Dairy Star's special sections. Finally, the last interview is with Ainsly Noble, the UW-River Falls dairy club president discussing how an event brought together a community and helps college students grow their networks and contribute to a community they call home.

New episodes are released Thursday after the newspaper is published. Send story ideas and your comments to [email protected].

Subscribe to the podcast for reminders of episodes - next episode will be released May 15 - about the dairy community and leave a review!

We look forward to bringing you this brand new way to consume Dairy Star. This is Dairy Delivery. All dairy, all the time.

— Stay connected with Dairy Star: dairystar.com

— Get the Milk Break Newsletter: www.dairystar.com/milk-break-newsletter-signup/

— Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DairyStar

— Follow us on X: www.x.com/dairystar_

— Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dairy_star_newspaper/

— Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/dairy-star/

Time stamps

0:00-5:58 - Introduction

5:59-13:17 - Curious Cows and Company

14:30-19:42 - Jeff Novak, a man with many hats

20:52-26:12 - Top Herds, Olmar Farms

26:56-30:39 - UW-RF Ag Day on Campus

30:40-33:45 - Preview of other stories in the April 26 issue of Dairy Star

Many stories from the recent issue of the Dairy Star newspaper can be found in today's first epsode of Dairy Delivery. We are excited to bring you the newest way to hear dairy farmers' stories, now available as a podcast.

Today's stories include how one farmer, Nick Hilby, is taking over a farm one year at a time after he lost his business partner and lifetime friend to brain cancer. Another story from retired dairy farmer Willie Dux recaps his experience of being attacked by a beef bull late last fall. Today's episode also features Anna Donnay, a recent college graduate working towards farm transition and processing. The final story of today's episode is spotlighting a new goat nursery bringing increased efficiency for Wisconsin's Loudenbeck Farm Dairy Goats.

New episodes are released Thursdays after the newspaper is published. send story ideas and your comments to [email protected].

Subscribe to the podcast for reminders of episodes - next episode is released May 1 - about the dairy community and leave a review!

We look forward to bringing you this brand new way to consume Dairy Star. This is Dairy Delivery. All dairy, all the time.

Stay connected with Dairy Star:

— dairystar.com

— Get the Milk Break Newsletter: www.dairystar.com/milk-break-newsletter-signup/

— Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DairyStar

— Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dairy_star_newspaper/ — Follow us on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/dairy-star/

TIME STAMPS

0:00 Preview

1:38 Introduction

4:48 Nick Hilby — Friend, business partner gone too soon

11:28 Anna Donnay — Small farm, big dream

18:26 Willie Dux — Tangling with a bull

23:19 Seth Loudenbeck — A new home for kids

28:30 Episode wrap up

Welcome to Dairy Delivery, a new podcast by the Dairy Star. Hear directly from some of our farmers that will be featured in the latest issue of the Dairy Star newspaper! At Dairy Star, our content is presented from the perspective of the producer, from 50-cow family farms to the 10,000 cow dairy operation. Dairy Delivery will be released the Thursday after the newspaper is published and we're excited to offer you the chance to hear directly from your friends and neighbors in the dairy community.