DairyVoice Podcast

Brian Barlass of Barlass Jerseys talks about his family's dairy tradition in southern Wisconsin near Janesville. He gives us the details about the farm today, milking some 420 registered Jersey's on 1200 acres. Join Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News on this audio tour!

Growing up with Registered Holsteins at the Maple Lawn Farm of his parents, Charles and Judy Lager in Fulton, Md., Matt Iager earned his vet degree at Virginia Tech and has practiced at Mid-Maryland Dairy Vets since. A Holstein breeder, ET specialist and industry leader, Iager shares his dairy story in this episode with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News.

Chuck Worden has had a unique career as a dairyman, always willing to look ahead and try new things. With his wife Vanessa he is farming in Central New York today, but his career has included dry lot dairying in New Mexico and leadership roles in the Holstein Association. In this podcast, he talks about his journey with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News.

Special extended podcast: Alex Peterson and his family at Peterson Farms in Missouri march to the beat of their own drummer, with a pasture-based, cross-bred herd that works very well for them. Alex gets into the details of making a low input operation work with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News. He's also a leader in dairy promotion work, urging his fellow producers to get involved. Alex turns the tables on host Joel Hastings near the end of the podcast and interviews Joel. It’s well-worth the listen, digging in to Joel Hastings career in dairy journalism and family history.

David Rama and The Cattle Exchange have been synonymous with registered Holstein sales for 30 years, especially in the Northeast. In this episode, Dave talks with Joel Hastings about how he got started, the partnership with his wife, Merry, and his strategies in the face of a changing industry. Don't miss his recommendations for both young people and older dairymen.

Two dairyman who are members of the Producer Advisory Committee at the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding have a fascinating conversation in this episode. Lloyd Holterman, Rosy Lane Farm, Watertown, Wisconsin, committee chair, focuses on breeding high producing, high solids and long-lasting cows. Bill Peck, Jr., at Welcome Stock Farm, Schuylerville, New York carries on the family tradition with Registered Holsteins. He has bred some leading AI sires who produce his kind... modern commercial cows with high production, moderate size, sound udders and good feet and legs. Both talk with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News about breeding profitable cattle.

Nevin has a plan for his small Jersey herd of 450 and he's on track to meet his goals. Nevin Lemos from Waterford, California, finished junior college and spent some time on dairies in New Zealand. Then he came home and with support from his parents, leased a dairy set-up on his own, and began building a herd. Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News speaks with Nevin in this DairyVoice podcast episode for those who worry about how young people can get a start in dairy.

In a traditional set-up but applying new technology, Butter-Dell Holsteins in Lewiston, Utah, is transitioning to the next generation of family ownership. Kent Buttars, longtime dairy farmer and DHI leader, talks with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News about his dairy, his family and what he sees ahead in the industry.

The Santos family at Terra Linda Dairy has it goin’ on. For the past seven years, they've had the high herd on Tulare County (California) DHIA. Their 1200 registered Holsteins averaged 32,107 lbs. milk and 1262 lbs. fat with a super 34,180 lbs. of energy corrected milk. Partner Mike Santos, Jr., gives DairyBusiness News an inside look at the breeding and feeding programs that get these results.

Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News interviews Tim Abbott. While Tim had his start with Jerseys first at his family's home farm in Vermont and then with the Association, his career has taken him through AI as a sire selection specialist and a manager / owner. He's bred and shown top end Holsteins, too. Today he manages a few high quality sales and reads pedigrees while continuing to partner on elite cattle with several commercial producers.