Progressive Dairy Podcast

Would you use an intelligent system to help you make sense of farm data and apply it to improve efficiency? Or maybe you already are! In this episode we take a look at how dairy farmers can approach implementing cutting-edge tech on their dairies. What is the value to be gained and potential wins, as well as challenges and things to keep in mind when considering adoption. Highlights: [02:07] What are the challenges and pain points that bring farmers to explore and adopt new tech like AI systems on dairy farms?  Short answer: Labor shortage and big data management. [03:57] How do intelligent systems available on the market today make use of Artificial Intelligence and how does that transform dairy operations that use them? Short answer: Their processing capabilities allow them to consolidate multiple data sources and generate real value out of this data.  [10:24] How do these systems help improve efficiency and profitability on dairies? Short answer: Save time, centralize data, support analysis and informed decision making. [14:14] How has technology adoption impacted the collaboration between dairy farmers and their advisors? Short answer: When advisors have access to farm data and analysis tools it allows them to stay up to date and give better advice, even when they’re not on the farm. [17:44] What advice can you give to farmers who are considering implementing a smart system on their dairy? Short answer: Always start by identifying the main challenges you’re trying to solve and choose the solution that works best to support you with these specific issues. This episode is sponsored by Connecterra. Connecterra is an artificial intelligence company on a mission to empower the dairy industry to become more efficient while reducing impact on the planet. We are headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, with teams in Europe and the United States. Our solution is the Connecterra platform, which transforms data into intelligent digital experiences and products for farmers, advisors and dairy companies. Our customers and partners include some of the largest global brands in the dairy industry.

In this episode, hear what articles and podcast episodes stood out to Editors Kimmi Devaney, Walt Cooley, Jenn Coyne, Matti McBride and Dave Natzke in 2023. You’ll also hear about changes to Progressive Dairy’s editorial team in 2024, including Natzke’s retirement and the addition of McBride to the podcast team. The episode wraps up with entertaining answers to the rapid-fire questions from these five editors. Here’s a breakdown of the episode: Highlights from Natzke’s 40-plus-year career in ag journalism [~1:15]Natzke explains the greatest changes he has seen on farms in the last four decades [~2:45]Common characteristics of farms that have navigated change well [~4:35]Natzke’s key takeaways from many years of covering dairy policy [~5:20]Why it matters for dairy producers to be involved in the policy process [~8:00]Natzke discusses the parts of his career he is most proud of [~9:55]What Natzke is most looking forward to in retirement [~11:25]Natzke’s professional development advice for dairy producers looking to take their businesses to the next level [~13:00]McBride joins the podcast team in 2024, while Coyne focuses on other responsibilities [~14:15]Cooley and Devaney ask McBride questions about her role at Progressive Dairy, dairy background, dairy interests and more to help listeners get to know the new podcast co-host [~15:05]Editors discuss the most memorable articles and podcast episodes from 2023 [~22:55]Hear what these five editors are most excited about in 2024 [~30:50]Rapid-fire questions [~35:00]

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Dr. Devan Paulus Compart, Technical Services Manager with Papillon Agricultural Company, shares her 5-step process for selecting feed additives, how additives can be used as a tool to manage on-farm challenges, what metrics define feed additive success and how to make an informed financial decision for your operation. To learn more about how feed additives improve animal health and productivity, visit papillon-ag.com or reach out to your local Papillon representative. This episode is sponsored by Papillon Agricultural Company.

Dr. Andrew Bohnhoff is the Director of Forage and Nutrition for Prairie Estates Genetics. Today he returns to discuss and define cull rate, an ever-important but sometimes under-considered variable for dairy farmers. Specifically, he addresses how it factors into Net Herd Replacement Cost and how both of these metrics affect profitability. He answers crucial questions about how low a cull rate should be and how to optimize replacements, genetics, animal health and fertility. This episode is sponsored by Prairie Estates Genetics.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Kimmi Devaney chats with Abby Kornegay and Casey Kinler from the Animal Agriculture Alliance about what’s new with animal rights activism, key tactics dairy producers should know about and tips for dairy producers interested in building relationships with their legislators to become a trusted resource. Visit the alliance website to access resources, contact their team and to learn more about their work. Here’s a breakdown of the episode: About the alliance [~0:45]How they define animal rights activism [~1:50]The evolution of activism and what it looks like now [~4:00]Examples of how activist groups are putting pressure on restaurants and retailers [~6:05]Activist strategy focusing on incremental changes [~7:05]An overview of recent legislation backed by activist groups and upcoming bills to watch [~8:20]Tips for farmers interested in reaching out to legislators [~14:45]What’s on the horizon for the 2024 legislative session [~17:38]Issues to watch [~21:40]Kinler and Kornegay’s recommendations for being proactive while responding to emerging issues [~25:05]An overview of activism in the other animal agriculture industries [~27:55]Activist group funding and fundraising efforts [~30:35]Alliance resources and how dairy producers can access them [~32:40]Rapid-fire questions [~34:50]

Dairy farmers rely on accurate data to make timely decisions. Instead of standing knee-deep in meaningless numbers, farmers now have the context needed to act on this information. In this episode, Evine van Riemsdijk, CowControl global application manager for Nedap, introduces the cloud-based platform, Nedap Now, and describes how farmers can access relevant insights around the clock from any location. Here’s the episode breakdown: 0:30 – Welcome, Evine van Riemsdijk and host, Tera Baker1:17 – What sensors around the dairy will this integrate with?2:45 – What insights are powerful to the dairyman from Nedap Now?6:55 – What are the top features you’re excited about?11:45 – How can consultants access and use the insights?14:40 – What other software can connect with Nedap Now?17:14 – Does Nedap Now need an internet connection?19:20 – Built with feedback from farmers 20:00 – How can farmers get their hands on Nedap Now? Contact Evine van Riemsdijk at evine.vanriemsdijk@nedap.com. 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/

Dr. Andrew Bohnhoff is the Director of Forage and Nutrition for Prairie Estates Genetics. Today he discusses the complexity of determining profitability and how dairy farms can use data to their advantage. He explains in-depth the difference between several popular metrics, the research that helped define them, their limitations, and tells us the best metrics to track for success. This episode is sponsored by Prairie Estates Genetics.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Jenn Coyne visits with Jason Anderson and Pam Selz-Pralle regarding the recently updated Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) Gold Standards. Anderson is the association’s west regional director and Selz-Pralle is a dairy producer from Wisconsin. Both were on the committee for revising the fourth edition of DCHA Gold Standards. In this episode, the guests speak about the revisions – why they came to be and how they play a critical role in the dairy community for dairy producers and calf and heifer growers alike.  Here is the episode breakdown: How did the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association’s Gold Standards come to be and how have they served the industry over time? [~1:40]What prompted the 2023 revisions and how were they made? [~3:16]How was the committee developed to make these revisions? [~4:12]Walk us through some specifics of the revisions. [~6:13]Of these revisions, which do you feel will be most impactful for the dairy community? [~17:16]What will be helpful for calf and heifer growers to ensure they are reaching industry expectations? [~19:16]Of these revisions, which seems the most challenging to adhere to? [~22:06]Rapid-fire questions [~27:16] Contact information:  Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (https://calfandheifer.org/) Jason Anderson, DCHA west regional director janderson@pdscows.com (208) 573-7072 Pam Selz-Pralle, Selz-Pralle Dairy selzpralle@centurytel.net

If you're not focusing on feed efficiency, you're leaving money on the table. Zinpro® dairy team members Dr. Jeff Weyers and Roger Olson join the podcast to discuss why feed efficiency provides a direct snapshot to your herd's profitability. As dairies continue to navigate market pressures, homing in on feed efficiency boosts profitability and can open the door to more benefits. Learn how to tailor your nutrition program to make the most of this metric and improve health and reproduction in the process. This episode is sponsored by Zinpro. Backed by more than 50 years of research and industry expertise, Zinpro leads in the dairy nutrition space. Our experts partner with nutritionists and producers to deliver solutions that provide flexibility and drive herd performance.

Dr. Andrew Bohnhoff is the Director of Forage and Nutrition for Prairie Estates Genetics. During his lifetime of involvement with the dairy industry, he has researched an array of topics that affect the bottom line of the farmer. While the importance of starch digestibility is widely known, he speaks with us today to show what specific factors can and should be considered, including growing conditions, corn hybrid genetics, moisture content, lab work and more. We discuss how all of these aspects translate directly to income over feed cost. This episode is sponsored by Prairie Estates Genetics.