DairyVoice Podcast

Terrific production from a healthy, profitable herd - including a world record cow - is the hallmark for the husband and wife team of Scott Pralle and Pam Selz-Pralle who dairy near Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In this episode of DairyVoice, they not only share some of their management keys for the herd with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News, but also their approach for successful employees. Their analysis of the future of their business is fascinating as well. And don't miss their farm's website at www.selzpralledairy.com.

At Fairmont Farm in Vermont, the Hall family milks 1000 registered Holsteins at three locations along with a crossbred beef operation, a farm market, a guest house and summer camps for children. Ricky Hall and Elizabeth Olson Hall tell Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News this fascinating story. Also, they describe their upcoming promotional sale, Favorites of Fairmont, to be held on June 18 at the farm near East Montpelier. It will be managed by Dave Rama of The Cattle Exchange.  Check out the Fairmont Farm website for details at https://fairmontfarminc.com.

Always planning for the future, John & Denise Dickinson of Ideal Dairy Farms at Hudson Falls, New York, continue to upgrade facilities, innovate their breeding program and bring in the next generation of owner / managers. In this episode, they talk with DairyBusiness News’ Joel Hastings about how they run their operation with 3200 milking Holsteins and 4700 acres. John is the current board chair at Northeast Dairy Producers Association while Denise is a partner in a high-tech genomic breeding operation.

You're a dairy producer in Pennsylvania processing your own milk supplying 20 school districts. Coronavirus closes the schools... what next? Bill Itle and his daughter, Carissa Itle Westrick, talk with DairyBusiness News about the year of COVID-19 and lots more in this episode. Their Vale Wood Farms milks 230 cows and their processing plant serves some 5000 accounts including home delivery near Loretto, Pa. This family is on the front lines of making milk and serving consumers with today's dairy products.

Here's an episode not to be missed. Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News interviews Natasha Sutherland. Natasha is a partner with her family at Stein Farms in Leroy, New York, where she is in charge of the 1000-cow milking herd and 800-head heifer program. She's bright, enthusiastic, and well-spoken with a great sense of humor and a commitment to modern dairy farming. From her time running dairies in New Zealand to her thoughts on today's co-op production limits, Natasha has it going on.

Jon Greenwood didn't grow up on a dairy and he started out as a college student working part time to pay for school.  With backing from the farmer he worked for after graduation, he got started with 70 cows. Today, he and his wife, Linda, have built Greenwood Dairy, a 1500-cow / 7000-acre operation in Northern New York, now farming with their son. A leader off the farm, too, Jon explains to Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News that if you're not at the table, you're on the menu.

Even with a Wisconsin Jersey pedigree second to none, Brett Barlass made his own way from Cornell to California.  He runs the herd and farming operations for Yosemite Jersey Dairy which is owned by the C. A. Russell family in Hilmar, California. In this episode of DairyVoice, he talks with Joel Hastings about breeding and managing this 1800-cow registered herd and offers his keys to success as a professional farm manager. He also has some words of wisdom for today's dairy students. Brett has it going on. From helping the wrestling team at the local high school to serving as President of the California Jersey Association.

A commitment to cow health and wellbeing is the focus of this episode. At Collins Dairy near Green Bay, Wisconsin, the latest technology, solid management and a focus on cow care makes for a high producing, healthy herd. In DairyVoice episode 37, Herd Manager and partner Luke Hopkins and consulting Veterinarian Dr. Richard Wallace of Zoetis tell host Joel Hastings how they get the job done. 

Luke Hopkins oversees a 1300 milking cow and heifer-raising program, using the latest technologies, as well as his lifetime of experience caring for dairy cattle. Dr. Richard Wallace, dairy technical service team manager for Zoetis, has assisted here, applying his background in private practice as well as his academic training. Together, they insure a healthy, high producing herd.

This Maine dairy farmer shares her sometimes unconventional insights with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness about talking with consumers. Jenni Tilton-Flood, a partner with her family on a 1500-cow dairy operation, serves on State and national check-off boards. She's a real presence on social media with her commentaries on dairy, cows, life on the farm and the larger society.

Like the dairy industry itself, National Dairy Shrine continues to evolve. Executive Director Mike Opperman and Board President Dr. Dennis Funk talk with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News about scholarships and the Museum, along with the recent member survey and the Board's long-range planning. And, everyone hopes the annual awards banquet, highlight of the year, can return in 2021 at World Dairy Expo.