The Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin
Geek Out on Calves
Geek out on calves at the PDPW Calf Care Connection® training, repeating in three locations, Nov. 19, 20, and 21, 2019, from 9:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. in Chilton, Eau Claire, and Fennimore, Wis. Click Here For More Info
Herdsperson Workshop Preview
The PDPW Herdsperson Workshop is the place to be if you’re a dairy owner, herd manager, nutritionist, veterinarian or a mid-manager making key herd-health and management decisions on a dairy. The conference will be held Oct. 30 in Arlington, WI. and again Oct. 31 in Marshfield. Dr. Marcia Endres joins us on today’s Dairy Radio with a preview:
Upcoming Herdsperson Workshops
Professional Dairy Producers (PDPW) invites you to the 2019 Herdsperson Workshops, Oct. 30 in Arlington, Wisconsin, and Oct. 31 in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Presenters include Dr. Laura Hernandez, Dr. Marcia Endres and Dr. Mike Hutjens. Read all about it here
Get A Grip on Ag Economics
Join the PDPW World Class Webinars: “Get a Grip on Ag Economics” with Dr. David Kohl, Professor emeritus of agricultural finance and small business management entrepreneurship at Virginia Tech. The webinar will be held on Thurs. Oct. 17, 2019 from noon to 1 p.m. CT.
Rural Energy Savings
Jessica Mlsna, dairy energy specialist with Focus on Energy, wrapped up our three-part segment on the Focus on Energy’s role in helping dairy farmers in Wisconsin.
Reducing Energy Waste Has Benefits
Many farms, homes and businesses are benefiting from reducing energy waste by partnering with Wisconsin utilities. Part two with Jessica Mlsna, dairy energy specialist with Focus on Energy:
Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy offers financial incentives for energy efficient improvements in Wisconsin. Dairy energy specialist Jessica Mlsna joined us on today’s Dairy Radio to tell us more.
On Farm Health Screenings
Rhonda Strebel joins us again with an update on the Rural Health Initiative, a program that focuses on the health and well being of Wisconsin farmers.
Top Priority: Your Health
Established in 2004, the Rural Health Initiative (RHI) is a nonprofit, community-supported program designed to help remove the barriers of understanding and managing health and healthcare for the agricultural community. Executive Director Rhonda Strebel tells us more:
Program Teaches Rural 9-1-1 Response
National Farm Safety Week is a month away but it’s always a good time to discuss farm safety. We continue our discussion with Dr. Casper Bendixsen from the National Farm Medicine Center in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
Sign Up Now For Dairy Managers Institute
Join the inaugural 2019 PDPW Dairy Managers Institute to sharpen your leadership skills. Read More. PDPW’s Shelly Mayer gives us a preview:
Improving Farm Safety
The RF-DASH program utilizes existing networks of firefighter/EMS in order to pre-plan emergency responses to local farms and ranches as well as provide brief farm safety consultations. Dr. Casper Bendixsen from the National Farm Medicine Center in Marshfield, Wisconsin explains:
Housing Baby Calves
Part two of our conversation with Dr. Sandra Godden from the University of Minnesota, on raising pre-weaned calves.
Housing Pre-Weaned Calves
Dr. Sandra Godden at the University of Minnesota joined us on today’s Producer Tuesday to share some of the best management practices when housing and feeding pre-weaned calves:
Managing Summer Manure Application
Fall and spring seasons are typical times for manure spreading, but summer can prove to have better weather and soil conditions. We learn more with Aaron Pape from UW Discovery Farms:
Managing Manure Year-Round
Improving soil conditions for better manure spreading is our topic this week with Aaron Pape from UW-Discovery Farms. Today’s Producer Tuesday, brought to you by PDPW:
Heat Stress Reminder
Record setting heat in the southeastern part of the U.S. is a reminder for dairy operators to properly manage heat stress in dairy cattle. Animal welfare specialist Dr. Jennifer Van Os from UW-Madison joins us again to provide more insight:
U.S. Dairy Farmers Remain Dedicated to Healthy Cows
The national dairy FARM program (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) works with dairy producers, processors and industry partners to demonstrate the highest standards on U.S. dairy farms. Dr. Jennifer Van Os from UW-Madison joined us on today’s PDPW Producer Tuesday to provide more insight on the program.
Improving Animal Welfare
The U.S. dairy industry continues to evolve by using best management practices to care for their animals. Dr. Jennifer Van Os, assistant professor of dairy science at UW-Madison, joined us on PDPW’s Producer Tuesday to tell us about understanding and improving the welfare of dairy animals from a biological perspective.
Dairy’s Global Warming Claim Exaggerated
Dr. Frank Mitloehner, an air quality specialist from the University of California at Davis, dispels some myths on livestock’s impact on air pollution.
PDPF Grant Applications Available
Education is the key to healthy and vibrant dairy communities. The Professional Dairy Producers Foundation supports various programs by offering two grant cycles per year. Dairy Foundation executive director Janet Keller tells us more on Dairy Radio:
Focus On Health & Well Being
Just like big city stress – dairy producers have a lot on their shoulders Dr. Josie Rudolphi, Associate Research Scientist with the National Farm Medicine Center joined us to spotlight the resources available and what Congress is doing to put farmers first.
This is the second part of our interview with Dr. Rudolphi, brought to you by the PDPW, dairy’s professional development organization.
What’s the Impact of Winter Kill?
Spring is finally here and alfalfa will be ready to harvest before you know it. After a tough winter of flooding and a polar vortex, there are a lot of questions around the topic of winter kill.
Dr. David Combs, professor of Dairy Science at UW-Madison, discusses these questions and more in PDPW’s World Class Webinar Wednesday.
Research Looks At Farmer Mental Health
Dr. Josie Rudolphi, associate research scientist at the National Farm Medicine Center, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, joined us on Dairy Radio to share some of the research in the area of farmer mental health.
Send Everyone Home Safe
Silage-related tragedy knows no age boundary as workers and bystanders of all ages have been injured or killed during silage harvest and feed-out. Dr. Keith Bolson of Kansas State has created a handbook to help farms, dairies, feedlots and silage contractors as part of the Keith Bolson Silage Safety Foundation
Managing Healthy Transition Cows Shouldn’t Be Complicated
Healthy and productive transition cows
Keller Named New Foundation Director
Janet Keller is taking over the reins as the new Executive Director of the Professional Dairy Producers Foundation. She joined us on Tuesday’s Dairy Radio:
Prep For Media
Working with the media may sound fun until reporters are showing up to cover an accident on your farm. Media veteran Katrina Cravy joined us on Dairy Radio Now with some tips.
Dairy Value Chain Offers Quality
Kwik Trip is a family owned company based in Lacrosse, Wisconsin and home to more than 18,000 associates. Scott Falkenberg, Sr. Category Mgr, joined us on Dairy Radio Now to tell us more and also preview a panel discussion on the future of food at next week’s PDPW Business Conference:
Bridge Building Negotiations
Negotiations happen in everyday life. They’re common in business, politics, companies and they’re also a part of relationships among family and friends. Dr. Becky Stewart-Gross, Founder of Building Bridges Seminars joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now to preview a break out session she’s presenting March 14th at the PDPW Business Conference in Madison, Wisconsin:
Your Time Is Now
Dr. David Kohl, President of AgriVisions, LLC, will be addressing dairy farmers next month at the PDPW Business Conference with his keynote theme – Your Time Is Now. He joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now for a preview:
Dairy Forward
Introducing dairy’s premiere educational event, the 2019 PDPW Business Conference – March 13-14 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin (See Program). PDPW’s executive director Shelly Mayer joined us for a preview on today’s Dairy Radio Now:
Rural Health Has A Model
Part three of our conversation with Rhonda Strebel, executive director of the Rural Health Initiative. She tells us that the Wisconsin based organization is ‘one of a kind’ in the U.S.
Healthy Farmer Focus
The Rural Health Initiative is dedicated to the health and safety of farmers in northeast Wisconsin. Executive director Rhonda Strebel joined us on Dairy Radio’s Producer Tuesday for part two, sponsored by PDPW:
Rural Health Challenges
Do’s & Don’ts of Employee Manual
Attorney George Twohig joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now to discuss the do’s and don’ts of writing a farm employee manual. Twohig Law
Leaders Are Made, Not Born
Professionals and producers with professionalism can set themselves apart from others by attending Cornerstone Dairy Academy™, a product of Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW) and underwritten by the Professional Dairy Producers Foundation (PDPF). PDPW’s Tracy Probst joined us on today’s Dairy Radio to tell us more:
Salmonella Heidelberg Still A Concern
Salmonella Heidelberg (S. Heidelberg) is a bacterium that can cause severe illness in calves and humans. According to the USDA, calves infected with S. Heidelberg may develop diarrhea or die abruptly without any clinical signs and humans infected with S. Heidelberg can develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, which typically last from 4 to 7 days. An outbreak of multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. Heidelberg was recognized in Wisconsin dairy calves in 2016. Dr. Donald Sockett, a Veterinary Microbiologist with Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory joined us on today’s broadcast with an update:
Germany & Holland Highlight ’19 PDPW Dairy Tour
History, culture, and dairy combine to make for an opportunity of a lifetime for PDPW dairy farm members. Mark your calendar for September 14-27, 2019 and experience the charm of two countries with a heritage rich in agriculture – Holland, and Germany. The 2019 PDPW International Dairy Tours will feature Oktoberfest, Anne Frank’s House, Neuschwanstein Castle, a canal cruise, farm tours, and more adventures. PDPW’s Julie Gabris tells us more on today’s Dairy Radio Now:
Understanding Cow’s Feeding Behavior
Trevor DeVries, Professor in the Department of Animal BioSciences at the University of Guelph, studies dairy cattle behavior, nutrition, and welfare with a focus on feeding behavior and diet selection. He joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now to tell us more:
Ensure A Strong Start For Fresh Cows
Dr. Thomas Overton, PhD, professor, and director of PRO-DAIRY at Cornell University joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now to recap his workshop at the recent PDPW Herdsperson Conference focusing on transition cow management – managing facilities, rations and protocols to ensure a strong start for fresh cows:
Dairy Foundation Looking For Unique Ideas
The Professional Dairy Producers Foundation (PDPF) awards grants to nonprofit organizations that share the Foundation’s passion and vision for education in dairy communities. Grant dollars are available to those organizations with new, unique ideas that build producer professionalism and maintain public trust in what happens on dairy farms.
Programs funded by the Foundation include youth leadership programs, farmer led-watershed initiatives, mentor programs, communications training, animal wellbeing programming, financial literacy, agricultural career days, safety and agricultural literacy education and peer groups. Organizations with a tax status of 501(c)(3) or (5) may apply for grants of up to $5,000. Additional grant criteria can be found at dairyfoundation.org. Grant applications are due December 1, 2018. PDPF’s Deb Reinhart joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now to discuss:
PDPW World Class Webinar Focuses on Dairy Economic Forecast
PDPW brings you the World Class Webinars: “Dairy Economic Forecast & Upcoming Trends” with Economist Dan Basse on Nov. 21, 2018, from noon to 1 p.m. CT online. Dairy farmers and allied industry will hear what’s in store for 2018 and the forecast of the U.S. dairy markets and global report. PDPW Executiv3e Director Shelly Mayer joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now to tell us more:
Financial Literacy For Dairy
Managing a dairy business means knowing as much about finances as the cows. PDPW Executive Director Shelly Mayer joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now to tell us more about the upcoming program Financial Literacy For Dairy :
What’s In Store For 2019
PDPW Calf Care Connection Is Next Week
Geek out on calves at the PDPW Calf Care Connection® training on Nov. 13, 14, 15, 2018, from 9:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m., in Fennimore, Eau Claire and Chilton, Wis., respectively. This workshop is designed to challenge the most seasoned calf care managers, calf feeders and other team members that work with and care for young stock and newborn calves. PDPW’s Shelly Mayer tells us more on today’s Producer Tuesday:
Dairy-RP Signups Underway
We continue to look at the revenue insurance program for dairy producers Dairy-RP, Carl Babler with Atten-Babler tells us more:
Managing the Risk of Milk Price Volatility
Join the PDPW World Class Webinars: “Market Management: New tools to manage market volatility,” with Carl Babler, an expert in the futures industry and broker, educator and hedger. The webinar will be held on Wed., Oct. 24 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. CT. Principal with Atten Babler Commodities, Babler will help you break down the options of Dairy Revenue Protection insurance and talk through available price, revenue and margin-protection programs offered by the USDA. Gain clarity and grasp the basics of Dairy-RP as Babler outlines strategies to use this insurance effectively and immediately. Listen to Carl’s comments on Dairy Radio Now:
New Tools To Manage Market Volatility
Carl Babler, Principal with Atten Babler Commodities, joined us on today’s broadcast to discuss market volatility. Babler is presenting a webinar, “Market Management: New tools to manage market volatility,” presented by the PDPW World Class Webinars: The webinar will be held on Wed., Oct. 24 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. CT.
Babler is an expert in the futures industry and broker, educator, and hedger. He will help break down the options of Dairy Revenue Protection insurance and talk through available price, revenue and margin-protection programs offered by the USDA. Gain clarity and grasp the basics of Dairy-RP as Babler outlines strategies to use this insurance effectively and immediately.
Busy 4th Quarter For Professional Development
The Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin continue an action-packed calendar of events, webinars, meetings, and other events to close out 2019. PDPW Program Manager Cassandra Mayer gave us a preview on Tuesday’s Dairy Radio Now.
Heifers Eating Into Your Profit?
Raising quality replacement stock involves spending money without an immediate return. UW-Madison’s Dairy Management Specialist Matt Akins will talk through the complex issues that interfere with having the right amount of high-quality heifers. Akins works with producers and industry professionals with a specific focus on the management and nutrition of dairy replacement heifers. He also collaborates closely with scientists at the USDA-ARS Institute for Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management at the Marshfield Stations, working to solve problems related to interactions between agronomic practices, herd management protocols, animal facilities, and the environmental impact of dairy operations.
If you have a date/time conflict, you can watch the recorded session on-demand at your leisure from the PDPW World Class Webinar Library, following the Webinar date. All past PDPW webinar sessions can be found online at the PDPW World Class Webinar Library – this incredible collection highlights key experts from around the globe. Find the greatest ideas, solutions and resources at www.pdpw.org/webinar_library.
PDPW’s World Class Webinars are perfectly suited for those who are not always able to leave the dairy for ongoing education on key dairy industry topics. For additional information regarding PDPW’s past or future webinar sessions, please contact us at mail@pdpw.org or by phone at 800-947-7379. Listen to Matt’s interview on Dairy Radio Now:
Rural Firefighters Delivering Ag Safety
The Rural Firefighters Delivering Agricultural Safety and Health (RFDASH) project provides farm safety tools and knowledge to rural firefighters through community colleges, emergency responder training events, and individual training officers. Fire departments, community colleges, and insurance companies in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois are currently participating. Dr. Casper Bendixsen is a project scientist with the National Farm Medicine Center. He tells us more on today’s Dairy Radio Now, sponsored by the PDPW, dairy’s professional development organization.
Thinking of the Next Generation
“It’s a good generation coming up,” says Wisconsin attorney George Twohig. He tells us the importance of planning when preparing to transfer the farm to the next generation.
Farm Employee Manual Do’s & Dont’s
It is extremely important that employees have an understanding of exactly how your farm operates, according to Attorney George Twohig, who provides agricultural estate planning, corporate and real estate legal services in Wisconsin. He joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now with some tips on writing a farm employee manual.
Marketing Direct To The Consumer
Lois Federman is the Something Special from Wisconsin™ Program Director. She joined us on today’s PDPW’s World of Dairy segment for part 2 on managing the day to day details of selling ag products directly to the consumer.
Something Special From Wisconsin
Something Special from Wisconsin™ is a trademarked marketing program administered by the Division of Agricultural Development of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, based in Madison, Wisconsin. Founded in 1983, the Something Special from Wisconsin™ program has helped its members stand out above the rest. Products showcasing the logo enjoy a strong competitive edge with consumers. Surveys indicate that over 70 percent of Wisconsin consumers are more likely to purchase a commodity made or grown in Wisconsin than one from outside the state.
Lois Federman is the Something Special from Wisconsin™ Program Director. She joined us on today’s PDPW’s World of Dairy segment to share insights into managing the day to day details including assisting program members with increasing their brand presence and sales through building networks and business education.
Farmer Led Research Shows Environmental Practices Compatible With Ag
UW Discovery Farms develops on-farm and related research to determine the economic and environmental effects of agricultural practices on a diverse group of Wisconsin farms; and educates and improves communications among the agricultural community, consumers, researchers and policymakers to better identify and implement effective environmental management practices that are compatible with profitable agriculture.
Co-Director Amber Radatz tells us how farmers have learned through the years and continuous improvement of practice in water quality and soil health. Listen here:
Water Matters Tour Preview
In partnership with PDPW, UW Discovery Farms is presenting a Water Matters Tour in Verona, Wisconsin on June 26th from 9:30am-3:30 pm. Stops include SunBurst Dairy, City of Verona Public Works, and Wisconsin Brewing Company. Together, with community members, dairy producers, consumers and local elected officials, learn how we work together to keep our water safe and accessible. Join for tours, discussions, solutions, and answers to your water quality questions.
The registration cost of $30/person includes bus travel, snacks, refreshments, and lunch. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
Amber Radatz is Co-Director with Discovery Farms. Her work focuses on assisting farmers with issues related to manure management, water quality and nitrogen use efficiency, especially in western Wisconsin. She joined us on Tuesday’s Dairy Radio Now to preview this year’s tour.
For additional information or to register, call 800-947-7379 or email mail@pdpw.org.
Agriculture Can Be a Dangerous Job
Too often we hear or read of farm incidents where a farm worker or family member was seriously injured or killed, but injuries are preventable. Melissa Ploeckelman, outreach specialist with the National Farm Medicine Center says the center is providing resources to help drastically lower the number of on-farm accidents involving children.
She tells us about the UMASH Farm Safety Check – a quick monthly review to identify and fix potential hazards before they cause harm to your family and employees – and your bottom line. Each month, Farm Safety Check focuses on a different topic, offering checklists and tips to help identify hazards, along with resources to remedy any problems.
Listen to Melissa Ploeckelman’s comments here:
UW Ag Economist Retiring After 34 Years
Long-time ag economist Bruce Jones is cleaning out his desk this week and retiring from the University of Wisconsin. Jones has been a professor in the Department of Dairy Science for 34 years. He joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now during his final week at UW-Madison.
Jones tells us that dairy producers are making supply adjustments. “That reduction in supply would put less milk on the market and that will take some pressure off the prices and we should start seeing some recovery,” he reported.
More than three decades as an ag economist, Jones has seen the cycles, challenges, and improvements in the dairy industry. “Some phenomenal progress that dairymen have made in terms of increase inefficiencies and productivity in their herd…..unheard of 30 years ago. Listen here:
Farm Kids Less Likely To Develop Allergic Diseases
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin have teamed with the National Farm Medicine Center at Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation to examine how farm environments, especially those with livestock, stimulate stronger immune systems and make children far less likely to develop allergic diseases.
The study is part of the five-year Wisconsin Infant Study Cohort (WISC) project. It is being funded by the National Institutes of Health and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the University of Wisconsin Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, and the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) at the University of Minnesota.
“If we can identify the key microbial exposures on farms, then we would want to offer it to non-farm kids,” said Casper Bendixsen, Ph.D., NFMC principal investigator for WISC. Listen to his comments on Dairy Radio Now, sponsored by the Professional Dairy Producers.
On-Farm Training Available for Non-Farm Professionals
Join fellow food system professionals for the PDPW Agricultural Professional Partnerships (APPs), an on-farm training designed exclusively for “non-farm” professionals with limited on-farm experience.
The training will be held May 22-24, 2018, departing at 9 a.m. and returning at 5 p.m. to the Crowne Plaza Hotel – Madison, located at 4402 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53704. Transportation will be provided to and from each respective host farm.
Held on dairy farms throughout southern Wisconsin, our farmers open their barn doors to allow you a safe experience to explore their animal care practices, environmental stewardship techniques, employee management, and the economics of production agriculture.
Attendees will leave the training with 20+ hours of hands-on, on-farm experience, Enhanced knowledge of modern agriculture, A comprehensive understanding of farm management practices and relevant acronyms, Access to training resources and go-to experts, Direct connection and relationship with host farm owners/managers, Network of like-minded industry peers. PDPW’s Shelly Mayer tells us more:
Updated 5/15/18 – Part 2 with Shelly Mayer:
