Progressive Dairy Podcast

Father and son dairy producers Randy Ebert and Jordan Ebert of Algoma, Wisconsin, join the Progressive Dairy podcast to talk about how they have diversified Ebert Enterprises to include not only a dairy operation, but also a facility for raising many of their beef-on-dairy crossbreds. They also share their “doubling down” approach over the past two years, which has included the purchase of a local meat market, building their own harvesting facility and, most recently, opening the Homestead Kitchen and Tap, a farm-to-fork restaurant.

Finding the right ration mix for your dairy herd is critical to maximizing performance and profitability, but in the era of high feed costs and increased uncertainty, getting it right is trickier than it looks. This episode is sponsored by Milk Specialties Global.

This Progressive Dairy Podcast features the Progressive Dairy Producer Panel moderated by editor Peggy Coffeen at the Global Dairy Expo, held Dec. 8-10, in Las Vegas. Hear from these four top producers as they talk about core values, culture and what makes their operations different: Dick Bennink, North Florida Holsteins, Jared Yousey, Sunnyside Farms; Lyle Grimm, Riverview LLP; and Scott Blevins, Wiese Bros. Farms.

In this Progressive Dairy podcast, hear from Walt Cooley and Peggy Coffeen as they recap the year, talk about traditions and provide a sneak peek of changes coming for Progressive Dairy in the new year. Listen all the way to the end to find out the special gift Walt has for you.

We are back at the Real Science Exchange and coming to you from the World Dairy Expo 2021. We invite you to pull up a chair and join us to discuss the future of the dairy industry with three dairymen who have made their mark, not only in the show ring but on the entire industry. We have gathered three dairymen to discuss how the industry is changing and what recommendations they have for future generations. Guests: Jonathan Lamb, Oakfield Corners Dairy and Lamb Farms Pat Maddox, RuAnn Genetics and Maddox Dairy Jim Ostrom, MilkSource This episode is sponsored by Balchem Animal Nutrition and Health. 

After more than three decades, 2021 saw new leadership installed at Dairy Management Inc. – the organization that manages the industry’s checkoff program. Barb O’Brien succeeded long-time CEO Tom Gallagher earlier this year. Editor Walt Cooley recently caught up with O’Brien to talk about what changes dairy farmers can expect in the checkoff under her leadership and some of the key issues she believes are facing the dairy industry.

Over the past year, Amy Throndsen, chief operating officer of Advanced Comfort Technology LLC, has written a series of feature articles on people in the dairy community with a background in service, whether that’s through the military or groups like the Peace Corps. In this episode, Progressive Dairy Editor Peggy Coffeen goes behind the scenes to tell the story of where this idea came from and the individuals who continue to give back in their current roles serving the dairy industry.

Meet U.S. Olympian and dairy farmer Elle Purrier-St. Pierre. On this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Editor Peggy Coffeen interviews this record-breaking runner who also advocates and educates her social media audience about dairy farming and nutrition. 

Mallory Embree (Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer) and Lisa Marotz (Microbiome Scientist) work at Native Microbials, a company that specializes in creating novel microbial products for dairy cows. Native is on the verge of launching a flagship product that will have a big impact on the dairy industry - Galaxis Frontier. In this episode you’ll learn why the rumen microbiome is so important, what makes Galaxis Frontier different than other products on the market, and how the product improved energy corrected milk by 8 lbs/cow/day in a recently completed trial conducted in Tulare, CA. This episode is sponsored by Native Microbials.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Novus International, Inc. Novus marketing specialist, Megan Niehmeyer took time to interview Dr. Karen Luchterhand, C.O.W.S. program lead, on the importance of cow comfort. She shares key management strategies for achieving optimal production without sacrificing animal well-being. At the end, Dr. Luchterhand shares a C.O.W.S. assessment story that shows the power that teamwork, management practices, and nutrition can all have in transforming a dairy. Thank you for listening! This episode is sponsored by Novus International, Inc.