In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Gail Carpenter, who is an assistant professor and state dairy specialist at Iowa State University, and host Kimmi Devaney discuss a variety of topics ranging from dairy nutrition, reproduction, silage management and advice for dairy youth.

Visit the Iowa State Extension Dairy Team website for resources.

Here is an episode overview:

[~0:55] Meet Gail Carpenter
[~2:45] “You can’t outfeed bad management” and back to basics on stocking density, cow comfort, water trough management and more
[~10:30] Research: the impact of molasses supplementation on sorting with transition cows
[~13:45] Strategies to improve fiber digestion
[~15:05] Silage: disease pressure and silage inventory
[~17:35] Considerations for silage season
[~19:30] Planning for the 2026 silage season
[~20:35] Heifer performance strategies
[~24:20] Tips to reduce involuntary culling
[~28:00] Top challenges Carpenter is hearing from producers
[~31:50] Greatest opportunities for dairy producers right now
[~36:35] What Carpenter is most excited about with the next generation of the dairy industry
[~39:15] The collegiate dairy activities that had the greatest impact on her and set her up for success in her career
[~34:10] Carpenter’s advice for students and young people interested in a dairy career
[~50:55] Rapid-fire questions

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