Progressive Dairy Podcast

Today, more than ever before is an opportune moment to spotlight the progress that’s happening in the dairy industry when it comes to sustainability on the farm. Listen in as Carlyn Peterson, PhD at Selko USA, joins a conversation that dives into life cycle assessments, the state of the dairy industry’s sustainability efforts, and how these efforts are converging with the environment, society, and economy. Complementing her research at UC Davis, Carlyn will also bring the conversation to farm-level as she shares examples of how Selko is helping ruminant producers lower their operations’ environmental footprint and advance their sustainability goals. Carlyn Peterson is a Dairy Technical Manager based out of California covering the Western region of the US for Selko. Carlyn specializes in sustainable dairy systems and their interaction with dairy nutrition. Prior to joining Selko in 2022, Carlyn provided technical support for the Smartline category with Adisseo for two years. Between 2013 to 2020 she worked with Dr. Frank Mitloehner at the University of California, Davis, to complete a Master’s degree and PhD in Animal Biology with a focus on Sustainability and Ruminant Nutrition. Carlyn is passionate about improving sustainability in the dairy sector. The title of her dissertation is "Effects of Feed and Waste Additives on Dairy Cattle's Impact on Greenhouse Gasses and Air Quality." Her research focused on reducing the environmental impacts of dairy without compromising production. Carlyn also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, emphasis in Livestock and Dairy, from UC Davis. She is originally from San Diego County where she got her start in agriculture through participating in the FFA.  This episode is sponsored by Selko USA.

Join hosts Walt Cooley and Matti McBride as they discuss FarmCon, artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture, the Dairy Farm Tech poster and more in the latest episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast.  Here is the episode breakdown: ~ 0:30: Cooley describes his experience at FarmCon 2024.~ 2:30: Artificial intelligence in agriculture ~ 8:25: Cooley discusses the Dairy Farm Tech poster~11:20: How the Dairy Farm Tech poster was created~14:20: What’s next for the Dairy Farm Tech poster~15:11: Rapid-fire questions

Do you wonder about the impact of your dairy checkoff investment? Join farmer hosts in conversations about how local and national checkoff works together to build dairy sales and trust in today’s changing marketplace. Episode 9 - Dairy Innovation: Who is doing it and how does it work? Hear from California dairy farmer Tyler Riberio and New York dairy farmer Emma Andrew-Swarthout chat with Michelle McBride, founder and CEO of GoodSport Nutrition, and Bill Graves, SVP of Product Research at Dairy Management, Inc. about dairy product innovation. This episode is sponsored by Dairy Management Inc.

The future of our farms depends on the calves we’re raising today. Health and performance play an important role in growth and development. And, ultimately, how those calves will pay us back in the future – whether they’re raised for beef or calve in and enter the milking herd. In this episode, Paul Nuttelman, territory sales representative with DBC Ag Products, shares his tips for raising healthy, fast-growing calves. Paul discusses how to stay in front of calf health with proactive calf care. Here is the episode breakdown: 0:40 – Paul introduces himself2:12 – How Paul helps farmers in his role3:15 – Favorite part of working with dairy farmers4:25 – One thing that gets overlooked with calves5:45 – Biggest challenges he sees on farms7:40 – Managing the many variables of calf raising10:00 – Uncovering hidden calf costs11:25 – Calf health and future performance13:30 – Antibiotics requiring veterinarian prescriptions14:10 – Advice for calf raisers15:15 – Where to learn more This episode is sponsored by DBC Ag Products.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, hear about a nonprofit creamery in Chewelah, Washington, that was started “for the community, by the community.” Host Kimmi Devaney visits with Stacy and Virginia Thomas – a husband and wife team who own and operate one of the three local dairies currently shipping their milk to Columbia Community Creamery. They both do a lot more for the creamery than simply shipping their milk there, and in this episode, you will learn all about what those roles look like, how and why the creamery started and the role it has played in strengthening their local community while providing a more direct connection to local agriculture. Here is a breakdown of the episode: [~1:50] Why the community wanted to start a creamery [~4:10] Why the board chose to form a nonprofit[~5:45] How a nonprofit creamery operates differently than the processors that most people in the dairy industry are familiar with[~7:15] About the three dairies shipping milk to the creamery[~8:30] The role employees and members of the three dairies play in the creamery’s success[~12:10] A description of the creamery’s products[~14:25] About the new a milk dispenser in the creamery’s store[~16:45] Their process for determining where to sell their products, aside from the creamery’s store[~18:50] A2A2 genetics[~21:30] The community’s response to the creamery[~23:50] How the creamery has “energized” and “reinvigorated” the local dairy industry[~29:10] Stacy and Virginia share what they enjoy most about being part of the creamery[~30:30] Future education and outreach[~32:10] Mentors and other helpful resources[~36:20] How the creamery has helped the three dairies involved prioritize work-life balance[~37:40] Rapid-fire questions

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Sponsorcast, Tony Marconi of Michelin and Harvey Hathaway a Michelin tire dealer in Texas, discuss one of the biggest operational challenges of skid steer loaders for dairy farmers, and that is downtime! Tony and Harvey discuss the various tire solutions for skid steer loaders, and introduce the Michelin X®TWEEL™ SSL 2 All Terrain, and the benefits of running an airless radial tire. This episode is sponsored by Michelin. Michelin designs, manufactures, and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmoving equipment, farm machinery, heavy-duty trucks, and motorcycles. A Michelin X®TWEEL™ airless radial tire is a single unit that replaces the current tire and wheel assembly. There is no need for complex mounting equipment and once they are bolted on, there is no air pressure to maintain. The unique energy transfer within the poly-resin spokes helps reduce the “bounce” associated with pneumatic tires, while providing outstanding handling characteristics. They are designed to perform like pneumatic tires, without the inconvenience and downtime caused by flats.

Jason Smith of Texas A&M joins host Matti McBride on this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to discuss all things beef-on-dairy. An associate professor and extension beef cattle specialist at Texas A&M with an extensive beef background, Smith shares his knowledge and advice for dairy producers looking to capitalize with beef semen.  Here is the episode breakdown: ~1:11 – Smith’s background and current position ~4:00 – How beef-on-dairy calves benefit the beef industry ~6:50 – The importance of a healthy beef-on-dairy calf ~13:50 – Smith explains what it means to sell cattle “on grid.” ~16:00 – Yield grade vs. quality grade ~21:00 – Consider market fluctuation in retaining ownership ~22:40 – Communicate with buyers to leverage a fair price. ~24:45 – The importance of sire selection during mating ~32:00 – Expected progeny differences (EPDs): Birthweight and Calving Ease Direct ~34:30 – Keeping records can benefit operations down the road. ~35:30 – Liver abscesses ~42:00 – Importance of feeding colostrum to beef-on-dairy calves ~44:30 – How beef-on-dairy calves add value to the supply chain ~49:00 – Rapid-fire questions

With guest speakers Cornell Kasbergen (owner of Rancho Teresita Dairy) and Brooke Anderson (Scientist at Native Microbials). While it’s known that improving a cow’s genetics can improve animal productivity, recent research shows that rumen genetics can be a more effective predictor of cow traits, including health and productivity. Cornell Kasbergen of Rancho Teresita Dairy and Brooke Anderson of Native Microbials discuss how feeding native rumen microbes are impacting a commercial dairy herd. This episode is sponsored by Native Microbials.

In this episode, host Kimmi Devaney and Illinois dairy producer Lorilee Schultz from Mil-R-Mor Farm discuss leadership, genetics, advocacy, opportunities for women in dairy and much more. Connect with Schultz on her farm’s Facebook page. Here is the episode breakdown: [~0:40] About Schultz and Mil-R-Mor[~2:15] Schultz shares why dedicating the time to serve the industry through various leadership positions is important to her[~4:00] As the past chair of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Young Cooperators (YCs), Schultz discusses what interested her in this leadership role[~4:45] How the YC program helps to develop young dairy leaders [~7:15] An overview of some of the questions Schultz often receives when meeting with legislators[~9:05] The most interesting thing she’s learned about dairy policy and building relationships with elected officials[~10:00] Tips for other producers interested in building relationships with legislators[~12:30] Other opportunities available for younger producers interested in becoming more involved in the dairy industry[~14:30] Schultz discusses some of the greatest challenges for women serving in dairy leadership roles.[~22:25] Schultz’s tips to help current dairy producer leaders encourage and mentor future leaders[~24:20] Advice for other dairy ladies who may be considering an industry leadership role[~26:05] An overview of Schultz’s involvement with the Adopt-a-Cow program and her key takeaways from virtual sessions with the students and teachers[~28:00] Other community involvement[~29:30] Her family is passionate about registered genetics. Schultz tells listeners about some of the top traits they prioritize when breeding their herd.[~31:30] Schultz discusses some of her farm’s best cows over the years[~35:00] Schultz describes what the transition process has been like for her family so far[~37:35] Schultz’s five-year goals for Mil-R-Mor Farm[~40:15] Rapid-fire questions

A dairy kid turned corporate professional turned food blogger, Hailey Pipher spends her time advocating for the dairy industry through various social media channels. Join host Matti McBride and Pipher on this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast as they discuss all things cows, dairy advocacy, social media and more.  Here is the episode breakdown: ~0:58 -- Pipher describes her brand~1:55 – About Pipher’s dairy background~3:05 – How Pipher created shelikesmilk~7:00 – Pipher describes her decision to quit a corporate job and take her business full time~11:12 – Challenges and rewards that come with advocating for dairy through social media~14:55 – How Pipher connects with consumers~19:43 – A look at future dairy consumption~22:32 – What’s next for shelikesmilk~24:17 – Rapid-fire questions