Progressive Dairy Podcast

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.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Kimmi Devaney visits with Kennedy Youngren and Emily Schaapman about how to stay energized during busy seasons, what you can do to fuel your body properly, optimize the hours you do have for sleep, protect your mental health, manage stress and much more. Follow Youngren and Schaapman on social media: Emily Schaapman: @dairygirlfitness Kennedy Youngren: @the.legendairy.dietitian Here’s a breakdown of the episode: Meet Kennedy and Emily. [~0:55]Learn why they started sharing about nutrition, fitness and agriculture online. [~2:40]Emily and Kennedy describe how they approach busy seasons when it comes to nutrition and overall wellness [~5:05]How to prioritize nutrition and make it easier to eat healthy during busier times of year [~6:55]Grab-and-go healthy snack ideas [~10:35]Easy breakfast ideas that are quick and easy to make [~13:55]Tips to optimize sleep, fall asleep faster and sleep better [~20:25]How to add in more movement when there is not time for a full workout or a walk [~29:00]Stress management tips for busy seasons [~31:00]Kennedy and Emily discuss how farmers can protect their mental health when stress is high, they are trying to get crops in, still running their dairies and trying to fulfill their countless other responsibilities. [~35:40]Rapid-fire questions [~42:40]

Raising dairy-beef crossbred calves is a value-added production strategy that is here to stay, and dairy producers have a tremendous opportunity to influence the success of their crossbred program through early-life nutrition.  Researchers at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center have diligently worked to better understand the specific nutritional needs of crossbred calves. Their research has focused on preweaning nutritional needs, but the findings have shown that early-life nutrition has a significant impact on the long-term growth and performance of a calf. Dr. Olivia Genther-Schroeder, senior manager of dairy feed R&D for Purina Animal Nutrition, joins us today to share why early-life nutrition plays a critical role in the overall growth and performance of dairy-beef crossbred calves.  Q: Why is early-life nutrition and care so important for long-term success of dairy-beef crossbred calves? Q: What are the nutritional needs, in particular protein, of dairy-beef crossbred calves? Q: Why should dairy-beef crossbred calves be fed differently than purebred dairy calves intended for beef? Q: Beyond nutrition, are there other things a producer should consider when raising dairy-beef crossbred calves?  Q: What are the health and growth consequences of holding back in the pre-weaning phase?  To learn more about raising high-quality dairy-beef crossbred calves, talk with your Purina representative or visit purinamills.com. Olivia Genther-Schroeder, Ph.D. Sr. Manager, Dairy Feed R&D Purina Animal Nutrition  ongentherschroeder@landolakes.com This episode is sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition. Purina Animal Nutrition LLC is a national organization serving producers, animal owners and their families through more than 4,700 local cooperatives, independent dealers and other large retailers throughout the United States. Driven to unlock the greatest potential in every animal, the company is an industry-leading innovator offering a valued portfolio of complete feeds, supplements, premixes, ingredients and specialty technologies for the livestock and lifestyle animal markets.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Kimmi Devaney visits with five dairy producers representing a variety of herd sizes and geographic regions about what agritourism looks like on their farms, how they got started, their advice for other producers interested in doing something similar and much more. Whether you are interested in doing your first farm tour, hosting an open house, scheduling regular tours, opening up the farm for several weekends or anything in between, you’ll learn a lot of tips and insights from Will Gladstone from Newmont Farm in Vermont, Josh Snider from Snider Dairy Farm in North Carolina, Amy Kelsay from Kelsay Farms in Indiana, David Volleman from Volleman’s Dairy in Texas and Derrick Josi from Wilsonview Dairy in Oregon.  Here's a breakdown of the episode: About their farms and what agritourism looks like on their operations [~1:15]Their inspiration for welcoming the general public onto the farm [~5:45]All five producers describe their process for preparing the farm for visitors in the days and weeks prior to a farm tour/open house/agritourism season [~9:55]Lessons learned [~14:40]Greatest challenges related to their agritourism activities and how these producers overcame them [~19:00]How they market their events to their target audience [~23:15]Staffing needed for a variety of agritourism activities, including the recruitment and training process [~27:40]Helpful resources [~34:20]What to know about insurance and limited liability laws [~37:40]Advice for other dairy producers considering adding farm tours, a farm camp, an open house, a fall festival or other forms of agritourism [~41:00]Rapid-fire questions [~47:50]