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/

Raising resilient calves begins with high-quality nutrition in early life. Focusing on gut health and microbiome development creates a solid foundation for future productivity. Calves that receive proper early-life nutrition are better equipped to face disease challenges and grow into optimal cows that deliver strong performance throughout their lives.

Dr. Jill Soderstrom, milk replacer solutions specialist for Purina Animal Nutrition, joins us today to share why maintaining a healthy gut and microbiome in calves is vital for the growth, health and performance of your herd.

This episode is sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Jamie Sullivan of Rippleview Hoof Care joins host Matti McBride to discuss hoof care. Learn how Sullivan got his start in hoof trimming, his take on misconceptions surrounding lameness, tips for detecting lameness, the importance of a designated trim area and more.

Here is the episode breakdown:

• 1:00 – Get to know Jamie Sullivan
• 2:40 – Sullivan’s take on lameness misconceptions
• 5:15 – The importance of recordkeeping of hoof treatments
• 7:30 – Communicating with other members of the dairy team
• 8:40 – Footbath design and efficacy
• 10:40 – Hoof care priorities
• 11:50 – Training employees to recognize signs of lameness
• 13:00 – The importance of establishing a trim area
• 15:20 – Designing a trim area
• 16:45 – Tips for a successful trim day
• 19:00 – Creating goals for hoof care
• 20:00 – Rapid-fire questions

How can dairy producers and nutritionists know if their prebiotics or probiotics are worth the investment? In this episode, Papillon Agricultural Company team members Matt Kauffman and Dr. Devan Paulus Compart discuss: 

• How we know if functional additives are working 
• What specific goals producers and nutritionists can set 
• How complimentary on-farm sampling can help you get the most from your additives

This episode is sponsored by Papillon Agricultural Company.

Papillon Agricultural Company develops and produces premium nutritional products for consultants, feed suppliers and producers nationwide. We commit to progressive research and a rigorous quality control program to deliver consistent, high-quality ingredients designed to maximize feed efficiency at the farm level. Our product portfolio includes prebiotics and probiotics, amino acid blends and specialty solutions.

How can dairies take repro rates to the next level? In this Progressive Dairy sponsorcast, dairy producer Luis Davalos and Merck Animal Health Dairy Marketing Manager Austin Snook discuss:

• Ways to catch more heats
• How monitoring and Ovsynch protocols can complement each other
• Holistic herd management

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 episode, join host Kimmi Devaney and Dr. Wade Robey for a conversation about mycotoxins, strategies to mitigate mycotoxin issues and more. Robey is the president of Amlan International and vice president of agriculture at Oil-Dri Corporation of America, where he leads Amlan’s animal health business and oversees Oil-Dri’s R&D and Agriculture Products Division.

Here is the episode breakdown:

• [~0:45] About Robey’s background
• [~1:40] Mycotoxins: What they are and the impact they have on the dairy industry
• [~2:50] The financial impact mycotoxins can have on a dairy operation
• [~4:05] Initial signs that a farm may be dealing with mycotoxin issues
• [~6:00] The impact on milk production, reproduction, calves and animal health
• [~8:10] Seasonality of mycotoxins
• [~10:25] Strategies to prevent or minimize mycotoxin issues
• [~14:50] Questions livestock producers often ask about mycotoxins
• [~17:20] What to look for when considering products to address mycotoxin issues
• [~21:30] Rapid-fire questions

Dairy farmers are reaping the benefits of current high prices for dairy-beef crossbred calves thanks to historically lower cattle replacements and strong beef demand. Opportunities for beef-on-dairy strategies remain strong, especially beef embryo-based programs. Feeders and packers seek uniformity between animals and efficient growth. They are willing to reward dairies for these efforts, at least while the national beef herd rebuilds following years of drought, wildfires, and economic hardships. Simplot’s Jeremy Howard and Select Sires Lauren Kimble, discuss the market outlook and how it might affect your beef on-dairy programs.

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 simvitro.com/herdflex