Progressive Dairy Podcast

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

CEO Jim VanderGiessen, Jr. shares how cooling milk became a career and how dairy farmers are using PROChillers to instantly cool milk and heat water to 180°F. This episode is sponsored by Pro Refrigeration.

DMI’s Anne Marie Splitstone, EVP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, and Silvia Robles, VP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, speak with DMI’s Scott Wallin about the evolution of fluid milk innovation since 2015, emphasizing consumer insights and industry partnerships. They highlight the role of the Dairy Foods Research Center Network, which includes 150 R&D experts, in driving innovation.  Key consumer trends identified include a preference for high-protein, low-sugar products and lactose-free options.  Successful products like Fairlife, which surpassed $1 billion in sales, and DFA’s Milk 50, launched with strategic packaging and positioning, are cited as examples.  The conversation underscores the importance of consumer insights, industry collaboration, and ongoing innovation in driving growth in the fluid milk category.   This episode is sponsored by Dairy Management Inc.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Walt Cooley is joined by Jacob Twohey of Twohey Dairy.  Like 95% of farms in Olmsted County where they dairy, their farm is family-owned, and Jacob represents the next generation taking over the operation. They milk 260 cows and have transitioned to robotic milking. Jacob explains the single deciding factor behind what brand of milking robots he chose and the one thing he’d definitely do differently if given the chance. He also shares the three key metrics he tracks to monitor robot performance and reveals what he’s discovered decreases robot efficiency. The Twoheys are also working to lower feed costs by growing and storing more of their own feed. You’ll hear their first-out-of-the-gate experience feeding high-oleic soybeans through their robots and what they’ve learned along the way. Here is the episode breakdown:  ~1:45 About the farm ~3:00 Why the decided to milk with robots and what brand~5:15 What he would change about his robot install~6:20 How he’s using data on a day-to-day basis~8:00 What a typical day working cows looks like with robots~10:45 What do you do when you’re not working~12:00 What’s next for your farm~13:20 How are you doing hoof care with robots~15:30 What metrics do you pay attention to ~19:15 What technologies pique your interest~20:10 What are your current goals on the farm~21:30 What did you learn about how to feed high-oleic soybeans~25:00 What’s a decision you are currently weighing~26:05 How do you prevent data overload~28:30 What are your thoughts on whole-life monitoring~29:50 What do you hope is your contribution to your farm’s legacy

Introducing the Real Producer Exchange – a new, interactive experience where we go live, face-to-face with producers who are tackling the same challenges you face every day. It's your chance to get real answers from real producers and walk away with actionable insights you can use immediately. Get a taste of what makes these exchanges so powerful with highlights from our debut episode, plus a preview of the next one. Check out the Real Producer Exchange webinars on agproud.com.

From calf to cull cow, probiotics and enzymes have a measurable impact on the dairy farm. This episode is sponsored by Chr. Hansen. Novonesis is leading the era of biosolutions. By leveraging the power of microbiology with science, we transform the way the world produces, consumes and lives. In more than 30 industries around the world, our biosolutions are already creating value for thousands of customers and benefiting the planet. Our 10,000 people worldwide work closely with our partners and customers to transform business with biology. Let’s better our world with biology.

In this episode, entomologist and forage research agronomist Dr. Erika Rodbell breaks down the hidden power of alfalfa. From pest control and nitrogen fixation to flexible harvest timing and improved forage quality, learn how alfalfa delivers agronomic and nutritional advantages that can boost your bottom line. This episode is sponsored by HarvXtra. Every operation has different goals and priorities. There's no silver bullet that works for everyone. But with the HarvXtra® Alfalfa trait, you have options. It's the first trait of its kind to provide the flexibility to produce higher-quality forage or extend harvest to maximize yield potential, which opens up new ways to optimize the way you grow alfalfa. You could do things the way you’ve always done them and get the results you’ve always gotten. Or, you could live life on the cutting edge with HarvXtra® Alfalfa and take your operation to a whole new level. Visit HarvXtra.com to learn more.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Matti McBride is joined by Tara Felix, associate professor and beef extension specialist at Penn State University. Felix has been feeding dairy steers and beef-on-dairy animals for over 10 years and brings her knowledge and expertise in the field to this episode. Learn about new research being done with beef-on-dairy animals, Felix’s opinion on the current cattle cycle and how producers might prepare for a swing in beef prices.  Here is the episode breakdown: ~0:50 – Felix’s background~3:00 – Felix’s experience with beef-on-dairy~6:30 – The importance of colostrum for beef-on-dairy calves~10:00 – Feeding beef-on-dairy calves~14:30 – What feedlots are thinking about beef-on-dairy calves~16:45 – Felix’s summary of recent research on genomic testing in beef-on-dairy calves~19:30 – Felix’s prediction of cattle cycle~23:30 – How to create a product packers want to see ~25:10 – The role of implants in beef-on-dairy calves~27:40 – Exciting beef-on-dairy research~30:40 – Rapid-fire questions

Join Jason Mast, Casey Mikus, and Josh Tooley as they recap the 2025 growing season, chat all things harvest, and dive into the DEKALB® Silage breeding process. Learn how DEKALB breeds genetics to be Silage Proven with high quality and tonnage potential. DEKALB® Silage Proven products are bred to meet high-quality forage standards of nutritional value per ton, milk per acre and percentage starch. The exclusive genetics of Silage Proven products create high-quality feed that can improve your performance potential. This episode is sponsored by Bayer Crop Science.

In this episode, Samanta R. Fensterseifer, DVM, MSc, Ruminant Staff Research Scientist at United Animal Health, shares how United Animal Health is tackling complex dairy herd health issues through cutting-edge pathogen surveillance and probiotic development. She explains how United’s proprietary microbial platform, PathKinex, helps producers better understand the role of coinfections in herd health, especially in light of recent HPAI outbreaks. Dr. Fensterseifer also introduces the “PROgram” approach to managing herd health and highlights how effective probiotics are developed to support cow immunity, gut integrity, and performance. Episode Time Markers:  00:40 – Introduction to Samanta Fensterseifer and United Animal Health01:50 – Role and research focus in the ruminant division02:40 – United’s fermentation capabilities and control over microbial development03:40 – PathKinex platform and its value in pathogen surveillance04:40 – Key findings on coinfections and health markers from over 2,000 cow samples06:10 – HPAI case studies and coinfection exacerbation07:40 – The “PROgram” approach: Prevention, Reduction, Optimization09:10 – The role of targeted probiotics in managing herd health This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health. United Animal Health is a family-owned, global biosciences company serving producers in over 30 countries. Founded in 1956, the company offers innovative solutions in animal nutrition and health, including research-backed probiotics developed through in-house fermentation capabilities. United’s PathKinex platform enables microbial surveillance and targeted product development to address complex animal health challenges. Learn more at www.unitedanh.com/cowhealth.