Progressive Dairy Podcast

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Kimmi Devaney visits with Sara Talcott and Felice Thorpe about how to build a standout brand, when to stay local versus grow regionally or nationally, how to differentiate your brand story and much more as it relates to branding, sales and marketing. Here’s a breakdown of the episode: How does a brand become valuable to consumers? [~3:30]What are some examples of farms and agricultural brands that have done a great job marketing to consumers? [~4:50]What does it take to launch a standout brand? [~7:45]What role does conveying a compelling story have on brand loyalty and overall marketing? [~11:25]For farms considering diversification, what are some key skillsets that you’d recommend they either identify within their current team members or add to their team? [~17:35]How does social media and having an online presence impact marketing efforts? [~20:44]When is it advantageous to stay local and when should a brand consider branching out to reach a broader customer base? [~22:55]For existing brands, why is it important for them to nurture their current loyal customers base instead of only trying to attract new fans? [~25:30]Where do you see the most potential for growth within agricultural niche markets? [~27:30]Is there anything that you’d recommend avoiding or lessons learned that you’ve observed from some of the farms you’ve worked with? [~33:00]What else can dairy farmers do to differentiate themselves and build a loyal customer base? [~37:40]What are the first steps a producer who is interested in diversifying should take to set themselves up for success? [~42:30]Rapid-fire questions [~43:30]

In this episode, the experts from Central Life Sciences discuss ClariFly® Larvicide and the importance of fly control on dairy operations including biosecurity and employee retention (1:03), the threats of flies and the diseases they spread (3:33), fly audits on a dairy operation (7:11) and the importance of implementing an integrated pest management program (8:46). This episode is sponsored by Central Life Sciences. ClariFly® Larvicide protects from disease-carrying flies that feed on dairy cattle, including house flies, stable flies, face flies and horn flies. Adding this feed-through as part of an IPM program can have a major impact on dairy cattle productivity. As a feed additive, ClariFly® Larvicide is incorporated into an animal’s feed to stop flies in their larval stage. Adding this ingredient to their feed ration is all the work an employee needs to do to reduce disease-carrying fly populations on an operation.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Jenn Coyne visits with Brent and Nancy Wilson of Wilson Centennial Farms in Michigan. The couple and their sons, Tyler and Ben, work in partnership on the dairy and crop farm operation. Over the years, the Wilsons have been recognized for their dedication to milk quality and production, as well as regularly participating in cutting-edge industry research trials. Most recently, the family was honored as the 2023 Dairy Farm of the Year by Michigan State University’s Department of Animal Science. This episode explores the Wilsons’ legacy in the industry and their tactics as progressive dairy producers.  Here is the breakdown of the episode: How do you think the recognition as Michigan State University’s 2023 Dairy Farm of the Year epitomizes your dairy career and your family’s purpose as dairy farmers? [~1:13]How are the Wilsons all involved on the dairy? [~1:54]Wilson Centennial Farm is known for its superior milk quality and production. What credit can you give to your family and their expertise that helps you meet these benchmarks. [~8:04]What management tactic or approach has helped achieve the farm goals? [~9:56]Walk us through your dairy farming philosophy and how you guys have pivoted over the years to keep up with industry trends. [~13:33]Why such a strong relationship with MSU and your cooperative to participate in research trials and host student interns? What are the most recent projects you’re a part of? [~16:25]As a seventh-generation farm, how do you think your ancestors would react to progress you’ve made and the recognition you’ve received as a leading dairy farming business? [~20:55]What’s next for the Wilsons? [~22:07]How does the Wilson family make decisions for the future of the dairy? [~24:32]Rapid-fire questions [~26:12] Contact Brent and Nancy Wilson, Wilson Centennial Farms at ndairy@cmsinter.net

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Kimmi Devaney talks with California dairy farmer Richie Mayo, who is the chief financial officer (CFO) for DeJager Farms in California, about how technology has contributed to their overall sustainability efforts on the farm. Here is a breakdown of the episode: Mayo’s agricultural background and his role on DeJager Farms [~0:27]Examples of technologies that Mayo and his team have implemented to improve overall sustainability [~2:55]Why they chose subsurface drip irrigation [~5:15]Benefits of subsurface drip irrigation [~10:00]How system management has evolved since installation [~13:00]Available resources and assistance for dairy producers interested in installing similar systems [~18:05]How data collected from the technology is used in their management decisions [~21:20]Why sustainability matters to Mayo as a CFO [~22:55]What Mayo wishes more dairy producers knew about sustainability [~26:00]Rapid-fire questions [~28:05]

Should you make that next level investment in technology? Listen to learn firsthand, how McCormick Dairy LLC went from “knowing we needed a change” to “the decision of the year” with GENEX HerdMonitor® cow monitoring system. Dan Utter, Reproductive Program Senior Technician from GENEX and Jen McCormick from McCormick Dairy LLC share their herd check success as the farm has gone from 50% palpated pregnancy rate to 90 to 95%. GENEX HerdMonitor® brings real-time solutions and next level technology to fruition with 24/7 cow monitoring, identification, rumination, heat detection, and cow positioning options. This episode is sponsored by Genex. GENEX is the global cooperative leader dedicated to providing innovative genetic and reproductive solutions to our progressive dairy and beef members and customers. With our Herd Genetic Line, Herd Care Line and Herd Tech Lines, we offer a comprehensive approach to providing the products, services and systems you need for your next generation.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Jenn Coyne visits with Mike Haddad, the former chair of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, as well as dairy producer Suzanne Vold of Minnesota. Last year, Haddad spoke at the Dairy Sustainability Alliance fall meeting where he reminded the audience of the industry’s unity and alignment on sustainability goals for the future of the industry. This episode dives further into those efforts and leans on Vold. She and her family’s experiences in implementing sustainable practices on their farm showcase how efforts are being accomplished and the impact they have for the dairy community. Here is the episode breakdown: What are the industry’s goals for sustainability in the future? [~2:19]Why is this so important for farmer's social right to farm? [~6:08]Why is it important for the Volds to keep sustainability top of mind? [~8:26]What key ways has the industry been supported to reach these goals? [~11:37]How is the industry as a whole supporting farmers reaching these goals on their individual farms or regions across the U.S.? [~19:06]Vold: How has your family’s farm kept sustainability at the forefront of your operation? [~24:21]Which partnerships created through the USDA Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities stand out? [~29:14]Haddad: In your career, how did you see the industry progress in sustainability? [~35:32]What excites you about the industry’s current position and its path for the future? [~38:23]Rapid-fire questions [~39:56] Contact: Scott Wallin, Dairy Management Inc.  scott.wallin@dairy.org

In this episode, we will introduce you to, and celebrate, the 2023 Nexus Innovation Award winners. They were recently recognized at Professional Dairy Producers' (PDPW) business conference. One of the award winners requires zero wires to work, another can separate corn stover from corn silage after its been in the pile, yet another inhibits pathogen growth in recycled manure solids, one can tell you how much water and how often your cows drink, and the final one uses a smell-masking technology to bring a product back into service that was last offered in the 1980s and that increases energy-corrected milk production. If you were present at the conference, you would have seen Editor Walt Cooley holding up a pineapple during his awards introduction of these companies. Cooley believes a pineapple is a good analogy for these winners. “What they offer is different than what you’ve seen before. It’s non-traditional. It’s not an apple or an orange. At first glance, it may not look that appealing. That's just because you may not have tried it. It feels different,” Cooley said during the conference. “Because what these companies offer is different, it will take just a bit more effort than other fruits to crack into. But I promise you, there is something exotic, unique and sweet inside each of these companies, just like a pineapple.” Congratulations to the 2023 Nexus Innovation Award winners! Nedap for its SmartFlow Milk MeterGlori Enterprises for The FoddArm & Hammer Animal Nutrition for its Certillus product for dairy beddingSmaXtec for its TruDrinking featureZinpro for IsoFerm

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. Listen to the Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast here.

In this episode, editors Kimmi Devaney and Dave Natzke discuss the trends and insights they learned from talking with more than 100 dairy producers and industry leaders across the U.S. while compiling the 2023 State of Dairy coverage, which appeared in the March 12, 2023, issue of Progressive Dairy. Here's a breakdown of the episode: What we mean when we say “State of Dairy coverage”? [~2:20]How this annual coverage originated [~3:10]This year’s trends compared to the last few years [~3:45]Areas of optimism for the dairy industry in 2023 [~5:00]Overview of some of the words dairy producers and industry leaders used to describe 2023 [~6:30]Summary of some of the concerns and challenges facing the dairy industry in 2023 according to those Dave and Kimmi talked with across the industry [~7:40]Processing capacity strengths and weaknesses across the nation [~9:15]How dairy producers are addressing current challenges [~9:50]Noteworthy insights regarding the Federal Milk Marketing Order reform or other policies and regulations [~10:55]Dave and Kimmi discuss what they think brings the most optimism for the dairy industry in 2023 [~13:25]Rapid-fire questions: Get to know Dave Natzke [~15:25]

Calves are the future of our herd. Health and performance play a significant role in calf growth and development. And, ultimately, how well they start paying us back when they enter the milking herd. But raising calves isn’t always easy and they require special care and attention to detail.  In this episode, Taylor Wolfe, territory sales representative with DBC Ag Products, shares how we can navigate the challenges of calf raising to grow healthy, productive calves. She’ll share her perspective on what she sees and hears as she visits calf raisers across the Northeast.  Here is the episode breakdown: 1:27 – Taylor introduction 2:20 – Role helping calf raisers3:19 – Favorite part of working with dairy farmers4:28 – One thing about calf health that gets overlooked5:10 – Biggest on-farm challenges6:58 – Focusing on management practices7:35 – Uncovering hidden costs9:10 – Calf health and future milk production10:20 – Veterinarian prescriptions10:55 – Advice for calf raisers11:20 – Where to learn more This episode is sponsored by DBC Ag Products. DBC Ag Products offers innovative, all-natural eubiotics based products that set your calves up for success. First Arrival® with Encrypt® and Last Stand® with ImmWave® help calves maintain normal digestive health and support a healthy, functioning immune system. You can find them at an animal health distributor, dealer or veterinarian near you. Learn more at dbcagproducts.com.