Progressive Dairy Podcast

Join us to explore how targeted beef-on-dairy breeding decisions can address key dairy farm challenges, including calf value optimization and breeding efficiency. Jeremy Howard, senior sales and marketing manager for Simplot Animal Sciences and Texas Tech graduate researcher Kade Miller will share insights from recent Simplot Animal Science feedlot performance research and what the findings mean for dairies. They’ll examine how data-driven strategies can improve calf performance outcomes and help producers improve calf quality, capture more value and make more confident breeding decisions while managing risk and return in an evolving production and supply environment. Learn more about SimVitro® cattle embryos by Simplot

Feeding colostrum is arguably one of the most important processes on a dairy. Michael Steele of the University of Guelph joins host Matti McBride in this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to discuss passive immunity, feeding colostrum and transition milk past day 1, and current research in this field. Episode breakdown: 1:00 – Intro and rapid-fire questions2:50 – Steele’s background4:20 – Passive immunity8:00 – Feeding colostrum past day 111:05 – Feeding transition milk13:00 – Overfeeding colostrum17:00  – Colostrum collection and storage19:30 – Steele’s thoughts on the future of colostrum

With tight margins and volatile milk prices, rising insurance costs add a frustrating layer of complexity to your daily operation. In this episode, we sit down with Dan Rice, a Senior Dairy Consultant at Nationwide, to discuss tailored solutions for dairy farms. Dan shares his extensive background in the industry and explains the core reasons behind climbing premiums. More importantly, he offers practical, actionable advice to help you manage risks and streamline your coverage to protect your legacy, including how to find a Farm Certified agent who truly understands your needs. To find a local Farm Certified agent, visit FarmAgentFinder.com. Episode breakdown: 00:40 - Navigating rising insurance costs in the dairy industry01:20 - Meet Dan Rice, Senior Dairy Consultant at Nationwide03:02 - Why dairy premiums are climbing06:19 - The hidden dangers of underinsuring your farm09:05 - Actionable steps to take control of your insurance12:33 - Building a strong contingency plan for your dairy15:08 - Protecting your operation with liability contracts17:50 - Finding an agent that specializes in farm insurance Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s. Founded by farmers in 1926, Nationwide is committed to helping farmers and ranchers prepare their businesses for what's ahead with tailored coverage, smart risk management solutions, innovative resources, industry partnerships and support for the rural communities where they live and work. For more information about Nationwide and Nationwide’s ratings, visit www.nationwide.com or Company Ratings -- Nationwide.

Sleep and healthy habits are often the first to be deprioritized during busy seasons on the farm. Join registered dietitian and sports dietitian Leslie Bonci and host Kimmi Devaney for an energetic discussion about how to feel great and set ourselves up for success when life gets busy. Bonci has worked with several professional sports teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, and shares tips to improve sleep quality, enhance stress management and improve overall nutrition, along with some insights into working with professional athletes. Connect with Bonci: http://activeeatingadvice.com/ BonciLJ1@gmail.com Episode breakdown: [~1:15] About Bonci and why she is passionate about helping others with nutrition[~2:40] Where to start with nutrition[~4:20] What a healthy plate looks like[~7:05] Tips to incorporate more produce[~8:50] How to develop a more balanced mindset with nutrition[~10:35] F&F concept: fiber and fluid[~14:00] Grab-and-go meal planning and preparation for busy days[~20:00] How nutrition impacts stress and resilience[~22:50] How stress changes eating patterns and how to combat this[~26:45] Tips to improve sleep[~30:55] Which aspects of nutrition that Bonci recommends people track and monitor[~34:15] Tools and trackers that can help with nutrition and wellness[~36:45] Incorporating movement and exercise into busy days[~42:00] Rapid-fire questions

Welcome to this episode of the Progressive Dairy sponsorcast. Today we’re diving into a timely challenge facing dairy producers right now, managing feed costs and efficiency in a tight milk price environment. I'm joined by Daryl Kleinschmit, discovery researcher and dairy nutritionist with Zinpro. Zinpro has been a global leader in trace mineral nutrition for decades and continues to expand its portfolio with nutritional solutions that help producers get more value out of forage and feed. In this conversation, we’ll discuss where efficiency opportunities show up when margins are tight, why forage quality matters so much this time of year, and how nutrition strategies can help cows convert feed into milk more efficiently. This episode is sponsored by Zinpro. About Zinpro® For more than 54 years, Zinpro has improved the health and wellbeing of both animals and people as a pioneer in the research and development of performance trace minerals and innovative nutritional solutions. As a family-owned, privately held company, our steady growth can be attributed to employing a world-class team of experts, manufacturing quality products and our steadfast commitment to helping our customers advance the health and performance of their animals. With products marketed in more than 70 countries worldwide, Zinpro is the global leader in advancing animal performance through greater nutrition and is dedicated to creating smarter practices for a better, more sustainable world. To learn more visit zinpro.com. About Zinpro® IsoFerm® Fuel the cow by feeding her rumen, first. Zinpro IsoFerm is a breakthrough – the essential nutrient your herd needs. Designed to enhance rumen function by directly feeding the fiber digesting microbes, Zinpro IsoFerm enables dairy cows to be better cows while improving fiber digestion and protein utilization. This proprietary isoacid technology creates game-changing production efficiency, productivity and profitability.

Columnist Ryan Dennis has been writing for Progressive Dairy for many years. In addition, he’s also a published author. His most recent book is titled Barn Gothic: Three Generations and the Death of the Family Dairy Farm. It's a memoir about his own family dairy farm. At the center of the story is his dad, who taught him everything about handling cattle, farming and running a dairy. Most dairy dads are heroes. And Ryan’s book is a tribute to his own dairy hero and the many others just like him.  Walt and Ryan talk about father-son working relationships, the pressures of writing a monthly column on deadline, and the one story he deliberately left out of the book to not distract from his father's legacy. We also get into what it feels like to watch the family dairy disappear. Highlights  1:30 – Ryan Dennis - a master of ‘show don’t tell’ writing4:30 – ‘Quiet violence’ – the loss of 1/2 of U.S. dairy farms in two decades 6:00 – ‘The rhythm of farming’ 9:00 – Why did you want to write this book?12:00 – Do you see your dad as hero or victim in this story?15:00 – ‘An ember of toughness’17:30 – Father-son relationships in farming 20:00 – A story that didn’t make it into the book23:15 – What would you redo about your life while dairying?26:10 – Why do people still farm if it’s not often very profitable?  30:25 – What are your fondest memories of writing for Progressive Dairy? 34:00 – What would U.S. dairy farmers find interesting about Irish dairying? 

On-farm accidents are costly, and farm injuries can happen during everyday tasks. In this episode, host Mike Opperman talks with Joe Buschor about what to expect during a safety audit, common safety hazards and the safety gaps that can happen among employees. Here is the episode breakdown: 2:14: Dairy farm safety audit2:33: Farm walk through3:04: Preparing your farm for a safety visit4:30: Most common safety hazards5:20: Safety audits and OSHA inspections6:20: On-farm employee training7:20: Safety gaps among employees on your farm8:30: Parlor safety10:00: Animal handling12:32: Agri-Services Agency contact information This episode is sponsored by Agri‑Services Agency. Agri-Services Agency (ASA) specializes in providing customized insurance solutions for dairy farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses. Insurance offerings include health, dental, vision, life insurance, workers’ compensation, and property and casualty insurance. ASA is committed to helping you access comprehensive insurance coverage at a price that fits your budget. 24/7 customer service center: 1-877-466-9089 Website: https://agri-servicesagency.com/

DMI’s Dr. Chris Cifelli, Senior Vice President of Nutrition Research at National Dairy Council, speaks with DMI’s Scott Wallin about how the checkoff is expanding the body of science around whole milk, cheese, and yogurt. With more than 80 studies conducted over the last 20 years, the milk fat research shows that these foods not only help support childhood growth but may also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and fit into heart-healthy diets. Cifelli explains how the unique makeup of dairy fat—especially components like oleic acid—plays a vital role in supporting better health. He also underscores the need to translate this science into clear messages for both consumers and health professionals and how the checkoff constantly shares these messages with nutrition professionals. Looking ahead, his research team will continue to explore how dairy contributes to lowering cardiometabolic disease risk and the benefits of dairy’s unique fatty acids. To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com. Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc. Guest: Dr. Chris Cifelli, Senior Vice President of Nutrition Research, Dairy Management Inc. This episode is sponsored by Dairy Management Inc.

In this digital age, how are dairy producers making numbers work for them? Host Matti McBride chats with Pennsylvania dairy farmer Steve Harnish in this Progressive Dairy Podcast episode. Learn about Harnish’s dairy, which software reports he values and how he uses them to manage his herd.  Here is the episode breakdown: 1:00 – Rapid-fire questions3:00 – About the dairy7:15 – System operations9:30 – How Harnish manages workflow14:15 – Daily reports18:00 – Points of improvement20:30 – Seeing results from positive changes25:25 – Making decisions from data

On this Progressive Dairy Podcast, Jade Lomax leads a conversation on a research-backed approach to evaluating transition cow performance using data from over 3 million lactation records and 25 cow-level variables. The discussion explores how comparing actual versus predicted energy-corrected milk (ECM) at first test can help identify gaps in transition support, dry period management and early health outcomes – supporting more informed herd decisions earlier in lactation. This episode is sponsored by DRMS. DRMS is a trusted provider of dairy information and decision tools. As a nonprofit with deep ties to NC State and Iowa State universities, we’ve spent over 65 years serving the dairy industry – delivering research-backed software, standardized data and exceptional customer support. Our dedicated team works alongside producers and consultants to ensure they get the training, tools and insights they need. We turn complex herd data into clear, actionable insights that help producers and consultants make informed decisions, every day – through solutions built in collaboration with the dairy industry.