DairyVoice Podcast

DairyVoice host Connie Kuber talks with Fabian Bernal, Head of Sustainability for DeLaval. Bernal discusses how dairy farmers can strive to reduce their environmental footprint, the DeLaval VMS robotic milking system, and how innovation in the dairy industry is impacting farmers. DeLaval’s sustainability story is unique and worthy of industry attention.

Dr. Robert Hagevoort, a native of The Netherlands, is an Associate Professor and Extension Dairy Specialist in the Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources Department of College of Agricultural in the College of Consumer and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University.

In this episode, Juan Piñeiro of Texas A&M, speaks to the success of the recent High Plains Dairy Conference in Amarillo, Texas with Dr. Hagevoort. With attendance up 20%, a lot of interest was shown with their presentations related to implanting beef embryos to dairy and how to monetize carbon credits.

Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News interviews Krysta Harden, President and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council after completing her successful first year. In the discussion, they talk about the notable highs of 2021, the lows, how to move forward with a strong cornerstone on sustainability issues being a focus to our foreign buyers. Harden talks about everything from the Ukraine crisis to what the long-range future of U.S. dairy exports look like. And, she discusses USDEC’s positive response to the Ocean Shipping Antitrust Enforcement Act. Her passion for the industry is evident in this podcast and it is a must-listen!

DairyVoice host Juan Piñeiro talks with Dr. Zong Liu, discussing cow manure and his research on balancing the release of nutrients in soil. Dr. Liu’s research goals focus on separating nutrients to the solids, making “the perfect fertilizer”. A higher value manure product. Also discussed is Liu’s solar powered, self-controlled, boat project, used to improve lagoon water quality and reduce emissions.

Dr. Doug Hammon, DVM, PhD, is the Director of Technical Services at Zoetis. Connie Kuber of Connor Agriscience, and DairyBusiness/DairyVoice contributor, spoke with Dr. Hammon on the environmental factors, management practices, early diagnosis, and financial implications of BRD. Listen to the podcast for helpful information on fighting chronic BRD and sound preventative measures.

Austin Allred of Royal Dairy has a unique water solution. In this episode of DairyVoice, he talks with host Connie Kuber and describes his system, which uses wood chips and worms. This allows for harvesting the rich worm-casting base for soils and clean water to flush and re-use. A great money-saving and practical approach for some.

Longtime dairyman and purebred breeder Tom Gillette talks with Joel Hastings. Tom has achieved success with two breeds, registered Holsteins and Ayrshires. The current president of the Ayrshire Association, he's also active locally in his native Lewis County, New York. As a producer, he led his co-op negotiating a successful contract with the Kraft plant that makes Philadelphia brand cream cheese. Later, as a member of the county industrial development board, he supported the conversion of a vacant paper mill into a dairy processing facility for local producers.

As Senior Vice President of Strategic Intelligence for DMI, Eve Pollet is in charge of the crystal ball for dairy. In this episode, she talks about how dairy can meet the needs of consumers in the future... consumers who want functional foods for health and wellness. And, consumers who will even tailor their nutrition based on their individual genomic profiles. As she says, "The future is here now; it's not just evenly distributed." Join Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News for this fascinating conversation.

Hear how Brian Robbins and his team at North Harbor Dairy focus on high quality forage as the basis for a lower cost nutrition program on this 1200-cow dairy. With 90 lbs. a day of high solids milk, a low somatic cell count is also part of the program. The dairy is just a part of a diversified farming operation that includes 7000 crop acres, a trucking company and a very busy agri-tourism attraction. This is all located near Sackets Harbor, N.Y. Brian partners with his parents, Ron & Nancy, and sister Julia. Check the website at 

www.robbinsfamilygrain.com

"Keep it simple" is the theme at Darlington Ridge Farms in LaFayette County, Wisconsin. Katie Martin DiGangi talks with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News about the priorities at this 3700-cow operation - top production, high fertility and low incidence of health problems. Katie and her husband, Jim, are managing partners. Katie also is a production consultant with Zoetis working on data analysis, right-sizing the heifer herd and genetic progress with a "boots on the ground" approach. She is all about improving dairy operations and her enthusiasm is evident!