Genetic advances in Holstein cows are reshaping milk composition, demanding more precise nutritional strategies. This episode highlights how the CNCPS v7.0 model and targeted amino acid supplementation can optimize milk solids and herd efficiency. Experts share practical approaches for leveraging data-driven ration modeling to maximize returns in today’s evolving dairy landscape.

Key takeaway: Precision nutrition and advanced modeling are essential for unlocking the full value of modern dairy genetics.

This episode is sponsored by Actus Nutrition, innovators of precision dairy nutrition solutions. Actus proudly manufactures RPMet, a leading rumen-protected methionine designed to maximize component yields and reproductive efficiency. To learn more about RPMet and other nutrition products by Actus, such as Energy Booster and custom milk replacer products, visit https://actus.com/livestock/specialty-ingredients/

What is Targeted Reproductive Management (TRM)? And why should producers care about this new approach to dairy reproduction? Listen in to this Progressive Dairy sponsorcast as a team of reproductive health experts and enthusiasts evaluate new TRM best practices, how dairies can find better repro rates and more.

Episode Highlights

• The latest reproductive research findings
• Prostaglandin product comparisons
• TRM cost-benefit analysis

Episode Guests

• Dr. Bilby, Merck Animal Health Director of Dairy Technical Services
• Austin Snook, Merck Animal Health U.S. Dairy Marketing Manager
• Dr. Ricardo Chebel, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Professor

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.

Pennsylvania dairywoman Lolly Lesher from Way-Har Farms joins host Kimmi Devaney on this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to discuss on-farm processing, selling directly to consumers through their farm market and other retail avenues, farm tours and community outreach. 

Connect with Lesher on Facebook. 

Here is a breakdown of the episode:

• [~1:00] About Way-Har Farms and Lesher’s family
• [~1:50] Differences between their old freestall barn and the new one they built in 2016
• [~3:30] Farm market
• [~4:50] On-farm processing
• [~5:40] How they develop new flavors
• [~7:00] Marketing 
• [~9:30] Product distribution
• [~9:55] Ice cream trailer for events
• [~10:45] Employee recruitment differences between the dairy and the farm market/on-farm processing 
• [~11:40] The part of her farm Lesher is most proud of
• [~14:05] Advice for other dairy producers interesting in trying on-farm processing 
• [~20:00] Employee training
• [~20:40] About their farm’s open house in 2020 
• [~25:30] School tours
• [27:00] Internships
• [~28:30] Helpful resources
• [~29:15] Their Airbnb
• [~30:45] Agritourism advice for other producers
• [~33:00] Rapid-fire questions

As a dairy farmer, understanding health insurance options is key to protecting your family, employees, and business. This session explores current market trends and key considerations when evaluating insurance coverage options. 

Here is a breakdown of the episode:

• [3:20] 2026 market outlook
• [5:22] Extended subsides
• [6:39] Budgeting for health insurance
• [9:16] Questions to ask your benefits specialist
• [13:08] Health insurance programs built for farmers

This episode is sponsored by Agri-Services Agency.

Agri-Services Agency specializes in providing customized insurance solutions for dairy farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses. Insurance offerings include: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, workers’ compensation, and property and casualty insurance. ASA is committed to helping you access comprehensive insurance coverage at a price that fits your budget. 

24/7 customer service center: 1-877-466-9089

Website: https://agri-servicesagency.com/

Association health plans for Kansas and Texas: https://agricarehealth.com/

This episode's guest is Dave Saunders. Dave has spent years in business development and ag technology — many might remember his work helping create My Dairy Dashboard, the analytics tool that helps farmers track and improve performance.

Now he’s focused on helping producers prepare for a changing financial landscape. He’s written a new book, The Reset Ready Playbook: Strategies for Navigating the Global Financial Reset, and developed an online educational platform, ResetReady.app, that helps users understand their financial resilience and learn strategies to strengthen it.

Dave isn't going to offer specific give financial advice — his goal is to provide insight, education, and practical frameworks so farmers can make informed decisions with their own advisors. He believes agriculture holds unique advantages in uncertain times — real assets, sustainable stewardship, and regenerative practices that can thrive through major economic shifts.

We’ll talk about what this “reset” really means, how it’s unfolding, and what farmers can do to stay resilient — and even thrive — as the system changes.

Here is the episode breakdown:

• 2:00 Who is Dave Saunders
• 6:45 What are examples of real assets that dairies already own?
• 8:15 What should dairies do if they sense some clouds on the horizon?
• 12:15 What is a 'family office' and how do farms act like one?
• 14:55 What is the positive story for dairies' financial future?
• 18:00 Why is the golden age of farming forthcoming?
• 20:00 How is access to capital going to change in the future?
• 21:50 Why is the next economic crisis different than previous ones?
• 25:30 Where can people learn more if interested in the The Reset Ready Playbook and app?

Hear how large-herd producers scaled with Lely automation at a roundtable that was held live at Miltrim Farms in Athens, Wisconsin. Listen to three large-herd producers share best practices, real-world ROI, barn design and labor efficiency gains. Click through to watch the full roundtable video.

This episode is sponsored by Lely.

Lely North America, based in Pella, Iowa, is part of the Lely Group, founded in 1948. Lely directs all effort toward creating a sustainable, profitable and enjoyable future in farming for its customers. Using the cow as a center point, the company develops premium robotics and data systems that increase animal welfare, flexibility and production on dairy farms.

Brad Guse from BMO returns to the Progressive Dairy Podcast to discuss various financial topics ranging from the key aspects of a risk management plan to economics of diversification, profitability strategies, what to expect from interest rates and much more. 

Episode overview:

• [~1:10] Guse’s background/career
• [~1:35] What is going well on dairy farms and where many are struggling 
• [~2:55] Economics of diversification
• [~4:50] Favorite ag lending school terms, including what “earns and turns” means for small and large operations
• [~9:15] Expansion considerations
• [~12:35] Key aspects of a risk management plan
• [~14:15] Advisory teams
• [~19:00] Other profitability strategies
• [~23:35] Interest rates
• [~25:40] What happened this past year that Guse didn’t expect 
• [~27:10] What keeps an ag banker up at night right now
• [~32:25] What Guse is excited about
• [~38:00] Rapid-fire questions

Discover the latest milk fat research on whole milk and dairy foods.

DMI’s Dr. Chris Cifelli, Senior Vice President of Nutrition Research at National Dairy Council, speaks with DMI’s Scott Wallin about how the checkoff is expanding the body of science around whole milk, cheese, and yogurt.

With more than 80 studies conducted over the last 20 years, the milk fat research shows that these foods not only help support childhood growth but may also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and fit into heart-healthy diets.

Cifelli explains how the unique makeup of dairy fat—especially components like oleic acid—plays a vital role in supporting better health. He also underscores the need to translate this science into clear messages for both consumers and health professionals and how the checkoff constantly shares these messages with nutrition professionals.

Looking ahead, his research team will continue to explore how dairy contributes to lowering cardiometabolic disease risk and the benefits of dairy’s unique fatty acids.

To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com.

Host and Guest:

Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc.

Guest: Dr. Chris Cifelli, Senior Vice President of Nutrition Research, Dairy Management Inc.

This episode is sponsored by Dairy Management Inc.

Join Jeremy Howard, Senior Sales and Marketing Manager at Simplot Animal Sciences, and Lauren Kimble, Manager of the Select Sires ProfitSOURCE program as the discuss the current beef on dairy market and implications for dairy producers.

They will unpack:

• The current strength of the beef-on-dairy market
• Key trends and shifts over the past year
• What dairy farmers should keep on their radar
• How the beef supply chain is adapting to this evolving landscape

Whether you're in the dairy barn, beef marketer, or just beef-curious, this episode delivers sharp insights and forward-thinking strategies you won’t want to miss.

Tune in now to stay ahead of the curve—and make sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more producers discover the value of beef-on-dairy!

This episode is sponsored by Simplot Animal Sciences.

Tune into this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to hear from California dairy farmer Maureen Lemos as she chats with host Kimmi Devaney about her family’s milk drive, the two children’s books she wrote, farm tours, farmers markets and the other ways she connects with her community to put a face on the dairy industry.

Find her on Facebook and Instagram (@photographer_on_a_dairy_farm) and check out her website.

Here is the episode breakdown:

• [~0:55] About her farm
• [~8:05] About the two children’s books Lemos wrote about her favorite cow, Clarice
• [~23:00] Farmers markets
• [~24:50] Farm tours
• [~41:10] Advice for other dairy farmers interested in doing farm tours
• [~42:20] Milk drive
• [~53:55] Rapid-fire questions