When it comes to your dairy’s data, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it. How you use your data to manage your herd should be based on your farm’s goals. And what better time than now to reflect on your goals and priorities as we transition to a new year. In this episode, Taliah Danzinger, VAS senior manager of dairy intelligence, dives into how we can lay a solid foundation with our dairy data for a successful year.

In her role, Taliah leads the data science and education teams at VAS. Her department is responsible for building new insights utilizing dairy data and teaching farmers, consultants, and academia in the industry how to apply these tools in order to leverage the value of herd management software. Taliah brings on-farm experience to her role as a herd manager for a 300-cow robotic dairy and her ownership of a small dairy herd.

Here is the episode breakdown:

• 0:16 – Welcome, Taliah
• 1:16 – Data best practices
• 2:37 – Data reflection
• 4:06 – Shifting our management
• 5:31 – Tips for a successful start
• 7:23 – Tracking data for calves and heifers
• 9:20 – Predicting future herd performance
• 10:09 – Taking advantage of herd management tools
• 12:02 – Simplifying herd management
• 14:06 – Tips to get the most from your data

This episode is sponsored by VAS.

VAS is focused on your dairy’s future with software and information solutions that help collect and connect your farm’s data. Learn more at VAS.com.

Beef embryos are becoming a part of many dairies targeted reproductive programs, use of these embryos results in a higher value calf and can help improve reproductive performance during the heat of summer. In today’s episode we will visit with Skylar Gericke of Triple G Dairy in Buckeye, Arizona, about his experience using HerdFlex beef embryos.

This episode is sponsored by Simplot Animal Sciences.

Simplot's Animal Sciences team uses an innovative approach to provide advanced reproductive solutions for beef and dairy cattle producers to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability in a changing market. Combining extensive experience in agribusiness with the latest in reproductive solutions, the Animal Sciences team developed the innovative SimVitro branded platform for improving genetics and reproductive efficiency in dairy and beef cattle. For more information on beef embryos visit www.herdflex.com

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Editor and host Kimmi Devaney visits with National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) President and CEO Jim Mulhern, who retires at the end of 2023 after more than four decades of service to agriculture and the dairy industry. Tune in to hear how NMPF is working on behalf of the nation’s cooperatives and dairy producers to move the needle on dairy policy, as well as to look back at some highlights from Mulhern’s career. 

NMPF website: www.nmpf.org 

FMMO hearing website: www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/moa/dairy/hearings/national-fmmo-pricing-hearing

Here is the episode breakdown:

• [~0:55] About Mulhern’s professional background and career
• [~3:15] Overview of NMPF’s work in 2023
• [~5:15] Mulhern’s key takeaways from the FMMO hearing
• [~8:20] Overview of NMPF’s five proposals submitted for FMMO hearing
• [~15:00] Differences between the 2023 hearing and previous FMMO hearings
• [~18:05] 2024 dairy policy
• [~21:10] What Mulhern wishes dairy producers knew about the policy process
• [~22:40] Why Mulhern’s role at the helm of NMPF was his dream job
• [~25:40] Highlights and trends from the last 40-plus years working in dairy policy
• [~28:10] Mulhern’s favorite part of working in the dairy industry
• [~29:45] His hopes and wishes for the dairy industry in the future
• [~32:55] Hear about NMPF’s new president and CEO, Gregg Doud
• [~34:40] How producers can stay up to date with NMPF’s work
• [~36:00] The strength of the dairy industry
• [~37:40] Rapid-fire questions

“Dairy farming without the right data is like driving a car with a broken speedometer and without a map. You don't know where you're headed or how fast you'll get there.” Listen as Thierry Perrotin, Vice President of Nedap U.S. Dairy, shares how to harness herd data to intentionally drive your herd forward.

Here’s the episode breakdown:

• 0:30 – Welcome, Theirry Perrotin
• 0:40 – Explanation of car analogy 
• 2:58 – What makes data harnessing technology intriguing? 
• 5:00 – How does Nedap help farmers make the most of their data?
• 8:28 – How does improved data capture and analysis benefit the entire farm?
• 10:29 – How should dairy farmers proceed with data integration?
• 14:58 – Where can farmers learn more about Nedap and its technology?

Contact Thierry Perrotin at [email protected].

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://www.nedap-livestockmanagement.com/dairy-farming/ 

Gain insights directly from Erica Tessmann, Marketing Manager for Dairy Monitoring Technology at Merck Animal Health. Learn about the evolution of SenseHub Dairy monitoring technology as Erica highlights its empowering impact on producers, herd health and labor efficiency, all with exclusive access to industry-leading people and resources at Merck Animal Health.

This episode is sponsored by SenseHub Dairy.

SenseHub Dairy is the leading provider of monitoring solutions that empower users to safeguard their animals’ health and well-being, while achieving optimal production outcomes for a healthy food supply. SenseHub Dairy operates fully within Merck Animal Health. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians and farmers one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Learn more about how dairy monitoring can empower your operation by visiting SenseHub-Dairy.com.

A new dairy checkoff growth program, in collaboration with pizza partners, is set to boost cheese consumption by over 12 million pounds, primarily focusing on international markets. On the domestic front, Domino’s has introduced Pepperoni Stuffed Cheesy Bread to its menu. Restaurant partnerships are a collaborative effort and a powerful means to enhance the dairy industry’s presence in the global food market.

This episode is sponsored by Dairy Management Inc.

Join hosts Walt Cooley and Matti McBride as they dive into Cooley’s recent presentation “Level-Up” given at the Amelicor Herd and Feed Management Conference in this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast. Learn how to level up technology on your operation, champion an employee and ask providers tough questions.

Click here to download the worksheet Cooley references in his presentation.

Click here to read the article Cooley references about how to test drive technology before you buy it: Simulate technology to test-drive automation

Here’s a breakdown of the episode:

• ~00.55: What listeners can learn from this discussion
• ~03:50: Cooley explains his methods of presenting. 
• ~04:55: Cooley introduces and outlines his presentation.
• ~06:27: List and rank technologies used on your dairy. 
• ~07:51: Cooley’s example of using this “level-up” method with his personal technology
• ~09:38: Concept of champions
• ~12:06: Cooley’s advice for becoming a champion
• ~14:34: How to win and “level up” with your dairy’s technology
• ~17:27: Cooley discusses bandwidth when it comes to adopting technology.
• ~20:15: How to engage with your technology provider
• ~22:15: Creating a battleboard for your technology
• ~24:30: Looking to the future with technology
• ~27:20: Test-drive a technology you are interested in.
• ~29:48: A technology Cooley is excited to experiment with

Managing Director Kirk Vander Dussen explains the premise of AHV protocols and how we are doing things a little differently to allow farmers to keep more milk in the tank, address common dairy challenges, and build stronger herds to impact the bottom line. For customer experiences, go to https://ahvint.com/us/customer-experiences/

This episode is sponsored by AHV (Animal Health Vision).

AHV (Animal Health Vision) is a global company that gives #PowerToTheFarmer with science-based solutions to herd health challenges. By proactively addressing bovine health, farmers can maximize production and longevity while avoiding milk and meat withdrawal. AHV provides unique products that can formulate strategic solutions to address udder health, uterine health, calves, and energy and metabolism challenges specific to your dairy. Maximize production and increase herd vitality with AHV!

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Kimmi Devaney visits with Kiley Heim from Heim’s Hillcrest Dairy in Wisconsin. As the next generation on her family’s dairy farm in Wisconsin, Heim manages their calves and has taken on a few additional responsibilities from her grandma, including preparing meals for employees during the workday and accounting.

Here's a breakdown of the episode:

• About Heim and her family’s dairy farm [~0:45]
• Warming and cooling rooms for their newborn calves [~2:10]
• Managing calves in their new calf barn [~3:40]
• Lung ultrasounds [~4:15]
• Beef on dairy [~6:10]
• Calf management in hutches and in the calf barn [~6:40]
• The most important thing Heim has learned since she started managing the calves a few years ago [~7:55]
• Building a network of helpful people [~9:15]
• Providing meals for employees [~10:30]
• New office with a kitchen [~12:30]
• Meal planning [~13:15]
• Why Heim decided to come back to the farm as the next generation [~14:15]
• Heim’s favorite part of being back on the farm [~15:25]
• Future goals [~15:50]
• Rapid-fire questions [~16:20]

The integration of beef into the dairy industry has reshaped the market as we know it today and has furthered the potential to foster the development of a sustainable beef industry. Simplot Animal Sciences has elected Luis Davalos who is a farm manager for Corrales Dairy in Roswell, New Mexico, to speak on this topic as he has extensive knowledge in what it takes to run a successful breeding program.

This episode is sponsored by Simplot Animal Sciences.

Simplot's Animal Sciences team uses an innovative approach to provide advanced reproductive solutions for beef and dairy cattle producers to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability in a changing market. Combining extensive experience in agribusiness with the latest in reproductive solutions, the Animal Sciences team developed the innovative SimVitro™-branded platform for improving genetics and reproductive efficiency in dairy and beef cattle.