PDP Manager's Memo

June 2026 Vol. 4

Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization^®

The Dairy Signal^®

Check out what's coming this week on The Dairy Signal!

June 23 - Bridging the Gap: Easing Generational Stress in Family-Owned Enterprises

Tune in for insights into generational stressors in family businesses and ways to manage them.

Suzi Schaefer, Owner/CEO, The Suzi Method™ and Ag Strong™

June 25 - Screenings for the Win

Learn about the health screenings that will keep you, your family and team healthy and productive, including health, skin and heart exams.

Melissa Ploeckelman Brown, Outreach Specialist, National Farm Medicine Center and Marshfield Clinic Research Institute

Access Now

Tune in every Tuesday and Thursday live from noon to 1 p.m. CT, or catch previous episodes on demand here.

Previously on The Dairy Signal

June 16

Understanding cow behaviors and using safe handling techniques lead to better outcomes for both animals and people. Hear practical strategies for supporting calmer cows and safer handlers

Dr. Jennifer Van Os, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Animal Welfare Extension Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison

June 18

Tune in for the latest news and analysis of agricultural markets and trends that will impact your farm or business and the entire dairy sector.

Ben Buckner, Chief Grains and Dairy Analyst, AgResource Company

Did you know? The Dairy Signal is on Spotify! Check it out and click "Follow" so you don't miss an episode.

Opportunities to Learn

PDP ACCELERATE™

July 28, 2026

Madison, Wis.

The next generation of leaders starts at PDP Accelerate, bringing interns from across the agriculture industry for one powerful day. Facilitated by Michael Hoffman, it is a great way to boost your organization’s internship program and help build the future of our industry. Learn more and register.

NEW TOUR ALERT!!!

CARBON, CROPS + COWS

July 28, 30, 2026

Sauk City, Wis., Pittsville, Wis.

Join us for an exclusive, on-farm program designed to give dairy producers and their teams the tools and knowledge to measure and manage sustainability metrics. Work with industry experts, hear from farmers and tour the farm to see sustainability practices in action. Learn more and register.

ON-FARM OPPORTUNITIES IN AUGUST

CALF FACILITY TOURS

August 11, 12, 13

Three days, three ways to fortify your calf care program. Bring your questions for the hosts during these interactive visits across Wisconsin. Learn more.

ACE ON-THE-FARM TWILIGHT MEETINGS

August 24, 25, 26, 27

Be a part of idea-sharing and productive conversations at the 2026 Agricultural Community Engagement® (ACE) Twilight Meetings. Learn more.

TAKE YOUR FINANCIAL SKILLS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & ADVANCED FINANCE WORKSHOP

Sun Prairie, Wis.

Oct. 28-29, 2026

Learn more

FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR DAIRY®

Beaver Dam, Wis.

Level One:

Nov. 11-12, Dec. 1-2, 2026

Level Two:

Feb 2-3, 17-18, Mar. 9-10, 2027

Learn more

Opportunities to Give Back

TODAY'S THE DAY! JOIN US AT COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE! Celebrate June Dairy Month by giving back to our community at PDP's annual blood drive. Walk-ins are welcome from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, June 22, at 820 N. Main Street in Juneau. The blood drive will be overseen by the American Red Cross. Register here.

For Your Dairy

DESIGNING AUTOMATED MILKING SYSTEMS for increased milk production was the focus of research published in the Journal of Dairy Science. Researchers analyzed 635 North America dairy farms with AMS, finding that “free traffic” systems were associated with increased production per cow, and pens with two robots instead of one had increased production per cow. Overall, farms that had retrofitted AMS systems did not produce significantly more or less milk than newly-constructed barns, but there were differing trends in production over time. Learn more in the full study.

MAKING THE MOST OF THE ONE CHANCE you have to feed colostrum to newborn calves was the focus of a recent episode of The Dairy Signal featuring Dr. Lautaro Rostoll-Cangiano. How producers manage colostrum determines whether each calf gets the critical immune protection they need and how well their immune system develops, so understanding the research and following protocols when pasteurizing and freezing colostrum is key to success. Learn more by watching the full episode.

Your Farm - Your Footprint®

STAY IN THE DRIVERS SEAT.

PDP's Your Farm – Your Footprint^TM initiative puts dairy farmers in complete control of their farm’s environmental score, providing a confidential space to understand their farm’s environmental footprint, decide how best to use that information on their farm and with whom to share their results.

“Your Farm – Your Footprint lets me decide what’s best for my operation. As dairy producers, we’re the ones with skin in the game. We know our dairies inside and out. Farmer-led initiatives like this are just what our industry needs.”

John Haag, Dane, Wis.

Learn more and sign up today at www.pdpw.org/your-farm-your-footprint/.

Dairy Currents

INVESTMENT IN DAIRY-BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY continues to grow. The American Biogas Council reports that 496 U.S. dairy farms now capture methane from manure and convert it into renewable natural gas or electricity. Since 2020, dairy biogas production has nearly tripled, supported by almost $4 billion in new investment. Beyond generating energy, these systems create nutrient-rich fertilizer, reusable bedding and odor reduction benefits, while helping dairy farms develop additional revenue streams. Learn more.

PROTEIN IS A KEY FACTOR in food purchasing decisions. According to a recent consumer study, 42% of shoppers now check nutrition labels for protein content, nearly matching the number who look at calories or total sugar. Consumers are seeking foods that not only limit ingredients of concern but also provide nutrients that support wellness, performance and other health goals. The shift is encouraging food companies to make nutrition information easier to find and understand. Learn more.

PDP Members Shine During June Dairy Month

How are you celebrating June Dairy Month? Several PDP members have welcomed area media onto their farms and we're excited to share their stories! Follow @dairyfarmersofwisconsin for more.

Jonathon Hallock of Mar-Bec Dairy in Mondovi, Wis., shared why he was "born to dairy" and how he and other dairy producers focus on doing the right thing for people, cows and the land.

Jenny and Morgan Baerwolf of JRB Family Farms in Sun Prairie, Wis., highlighted the role of cow care, nutrition and more in producing high quality milk.