Join Progressive Dairy Podcast co-hosts Kimmi Devaney, Walt Cooley and Matti McBride – along with special guest David Cooper, who is the managing editor of Progressive Cattle magazine – for a recap of their favorite articles, podcast episodes and some of the biggest dairy news stories of 2024. Stay tuned to the end for an entertaining New Year's-themed round of rapid-fire questions to learn what they want to forget from the last year, New Year’s resolutions and more. 

Listen to the biosecurity episode Devaney mentions here: https://www.agproud.com/articles/59575-podcast-dr-mark-kinsel-what-dairy-producers-should-know-about-biosecurity. 

Join Wisconsin dairy farmer Dan Scheps and agronomist Parker Heise as they discuss the benefits of HarvXtra® Alfalfa. From improved forage quality and harvest flexibility to the potential for increased milk production and feed efficiency, this episode covers why HarvXtra® Alfalfa is a must for modern dairy operations. Tune in to learn how it can help boost your farm's productivity and profitability.

This episode is sponsored by Forage Genetics International.

For more than 30 years, FGI has led the alfalfa industry by breeding, developing and producing premier alfalfa seed and technologies that have advanced farm operations across the country. FGI’s innovative genetic discoveries, variety developments and cutting-edge alfalfa trait technologies have led to the creation of several patented traits and technology in alfalfa, including HarvXtra® Alfalfa with Roundup Ready® Technology, as well as varieties with the UltraCut® alfalfa disease package. Forage Genetics International is the only alfalfa trait provider in the industry that is solely devoted to the relentless pursuit of advancement in the alfalfa industry.

USDA reports indicate that the incidence rate of mastitis has increased from 13% in 1996 to 25% in 2014. Considering the average case of clinical mastitis in the United States costs an average of $569, it’s imperative for dairy producers to adopt protocols to prevent this costly disease. Dr. Craig Louder, Axiota® technical service veterinarian, joins us to discuss the importance of udder health, the role of strategic trace mineral supplementation on milk quality, and how producers can help support trace minerals through increased demand.

This episode is sponsored by Axiota® Animal Health.

This podcast is brought to you by Axiota® Animal Health. Axiota discovers, develops, and commercializes scientifically proven products, such as Multimin® 90 (zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium injection) and Lactipro®. Axiota supports dairy producers’ goals of optimal health, performance, and animal well-being. To learn more, visit www.axiota.com.

Join host Kimmi Devaney as she chats with Oregon dairy producer and Progressive Dairy columnist Dwayne Faber about moving the dairies to another state, how he keeps employees motivated when he cannot always be there, the qualities he looks for in key employees and what has surprised him most during the transition from managing two farms nearby to managing them from afar.

Here is a breakdown of the episode:

• [~1:10] About you and your farms
• [~2:25] What it was like starting a dairy in 2009
• [~3:20] Management differences between having the dairy nearby and having the farm farther away
• [~5:10] Team meetings and trainings
• [~6:40] How Faber keeps employees engaged and motivated
• [~7:30] What Faber is most proud of
• [~8:10] The qualities and characteristics he looks for in dairy managers, herdsmen and other key roles on these farms
• [~8:50] What surprised Faber the most about managing dairies from afar
• [~9:40] Challenges of dairying in the Pacific Northwest
• [~15:20] Advice for dairy producers interested in buying or leasing a dairy in another area when they cannot always be there
• [~16:20] Faber’s inspiration for his regular columns in Progressive Dairy
• [~18:10] Why he started posting on X 
• [~20:40] Posting on X with former Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue
• [~22:00] Faber’s advice for someone interested in diving into social media advocacy
• [~23:20] Rapid-fire questions

Reach out to Faber on X @dfaber84 or [email protected]

It’s the big question. And the one Dr. Todd Bilby is asked most often. What can a dairy do to boost repro efficiency?

In this Progressive Dairy sponsorcast, listen in as Dr. Bilby, Merck Animal Health Director of Dairy Technical Services, discusses his repro philosophy and what solutions move margins. Episode highlights include:

• Using technology to increase hormone effectiveness
• Comparing prostaglandin products
• Management decisions that matter most

This episode is sponsored by Merck Animal Health.

With identification, monitoring and biopharma products fully integrated in one portfolio, Merck Animal Health offers the only true full-solution approach in the dairy industry. Which means you get the tools you need to eliminate guesswork, solve specific problems, let cows be cows and put more milk in the tank. It’s the way you want to work, working better than ever before. Learn more about this unique approach to dairy at M-Power-Dairy.com.

Join Barb O’Brien, CEO of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), and Marilyn Hershey, a Pennsylvania dairy farmer and Chair of DMI, as they explore the exciting “dairy renaissance” fueled by rising consumer engagement, health professional endorsements, and cutting-edge social media campaigns, the dairy industry is experiencing a powerful revival. O’Brien delves into the “Now, Next, Future” strategy—where the “Now” focuses on delivering immediate results, the “Next” emphasizes continued investment in science and partnerships, and the “Future” outlines sustainable growth for the industry.

Episode 33 - Is There A Dairy Renaissance Coming? YES!

Listen in as they highlight the critical role of both national and local collaboration, ensuring that funds are used efficiently and making the most significant impact for dairy’s future.

This episode is sponsored by Dairy Management Inc.

Fifth-generation dairy farmer from Amelia Court House, Virginia, Jeremy Moyer joins host Matti McBride on this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast. Learn about Oakmulgee Dairy Farm, a new robotic milking facility, the decision to invest in a methane digester, advice Moyer has for producers considering large investments at their dairy and more.

Here is the episode breakdown:

• 0:28 – About Oakmulgee Dairy Farm
• 1:40 – Making the decision to invest in a methane digester
• 4:00 – Unique properties of Oakmulgee’s digester
• 6:00 – Investing in the future of the operation
• 8:50 – Lessons learned since breaking ground
• 11:00 – How management will change once digester is online
• 12:48 – What Moyer is looking forward to with this project
• 14:30 – Using a sand lane
• 16:30 – Managing mastitis while bedding with separated solids
• 18:42 – Moyer’s advice to dairy producers considering investing in a methane digester
• 20:40 – Rapid-fire questions

What would you do to protect the most vulnerable group on the farm? For Iowa dairy producer James Vander Waal, the answer was found in a first-of-its-kind technology.

In this Progressive Dairy sponsorcast, listen in as Merck Animal Health Customer Success Specialist Sarah Anderson and Vander Waal discuss why he committed to SenseHub Dairy Youngstock monitoring, what the results have been and what he’d say to other dairy producers about youngstock monitoring. Episode highlights include:

• Labor benefits
• Changes in calf health
• Unexpected monitoring benefits

This episode is sponsored by Merck Animal Health.

With identification, monitoring and biopharma products fully integrated in one portfolio, Merck Animal Health offers the only true full-solution approach in the dairy industry. Which means you get the tools you need to eliminate guesswork, solve specific problems, let cows be cows and put more milk in the tank. It’s the way you want to work, working better than ever before. Learn more about this unique approach to dairy at M-Power-Dairy.com.

In this two-part episode, hear from Dana Coale – deputy administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Dairy Programs at the USDA – about the five areas of milk pricing included in the USDA’s Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) final decision, and learn about the referendum process. Later in the episode, Alex Gambonini joins host Kimmi Devaney to discuss the impact these proposed amendments may have on milk prices. Dairy producers and cooperatives will have until Dec. 31, 2024, to cast their ballots.

Here is an overview of the episode:

• [~0:55] Coale’s role at the USDA and during the FMMO hearing process
• [~2:30] An overview of the FMMO modernization process
• [~7:50] What stood out the most to Coale during the hearing
• [~12:15] Differences between the recommended decision and final decision
• [~15:05] Proposed amendments to milk composition factors
• [~16:30] Proposed amendments to surveyed commodity products
• [~16:55] Proposed amendments to make allowances
• [~17:50] Proposed amendments to Class I differentials
• [~18:50] Proposed amendments to Class I mover/base Class I skim milk price
• [~19:45] Timeline for the referendum process
• [~24:55] What happens if the majority of producers in an FMMO vote do not vote to approve the order as amended
• [~27:45] How producers will know if their cooperative plans to block vote on their behalf or if they will vote individually
• [~29:10] An overview of the three webinars the USDA is holding in November to answer producer questions
• [~35:55] About Gambonini’s dairy background and her role at HighGround Dairy
• [~37:50] HighGround Dairy’s process for analyzing the potential impacts of the proposed amendments
• [~38:45] Projected impact: Milk composition factors
• [~41:10] Projected impact: Surveyed commodity products
• [~42:35] Projected impact: Make allowances
• [~45:35] Projected impact: Class I mover/base Class I skim milk price
• [~46:50] Projected impact: Class I differentials
• [~48:15] Where different regions could see different impacts
• [~50:35] Benefits to the dairy industry if proposed amendments are approved
• [~53:00] Challenges associated with the proposed amendments
• [~54:30] Key points dairy producers should know

Read more about the final decision on the hearing website. Questions regarding the final decision can be sent to the USDA via email.

Email the HighGround Dairy team.

In this episode, Steve Pavelski, Nedap large herd specialist, discusses the value of new cow sorting technology in simplifying herd management and helping farmers save time and labor. He explains how Nedap’s new SmartSort sort gate system integrates RFID technology to automate sorting to streamline tasks like health checks and breeding. Doing so allows farms to efficiently sort cows without disrupting daily operations, ultimately improving both cow comfort and operational efficiency.

Here’s the episode breakdown:

• 0:11 – Welcome Steve Pavelski and host Tera Baker
• 1:57 – Steve Pavelski’s background and journey to working with Nedap.
• 3:56 – Why Pavelski is excited about dairy technology & its potential for improving farm efficiency.
• 5:06 – How SmartSort technology can streamline daily tasks on the farm.
• 7:32 – Discussion on labor efficiency and how technology reduces manual efforts.
• 10:17 – Real-world examples of how farms are benefiting from new sorting technology.
• 12:30 – Key factors farmers should consider when adopting new tech solutions.
• 14:06 – What the future holds for automation in dairy farms.

This episode is sponsored by Nedap.

Nedap develops technology for life. Technology that helps people be more successful and happier in their professional lives. For Nedap this means helping professional dairy producers run a profitable, sustainable and enjoyable business. The solutions Nedap creates enable users to automate everyday tasks and make informed decisions based on individual animal identification and data. Nedap empowers livestock producers to respond to the growing global demand for animal protein in a way that is profitable and aligned with rising standards for animal welfare, sustainability, transparency and the safety and quality of food. Learn more at https://nedap-livestockmanagement.com/solutions/nedap-farmcontrol/smartsort/