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March 2026 Vol. 2
Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®
| | Check out what's coming this week on The Dairy Signal! | | Mar. 10 - Manure Spill Lessons | | Mar. 12 - Smart Eating Made Easy | | Tune in every Tuesday and Thursday live from noon to 1 p.m. CT, or catch previous episodes on demand here. | | |
PDP SMART DAIRY WORKSHOP
April 15, 16, 2026
Chippewa Falls, Manitowoc, Wis.
Artificial Intelligence is here. It’s embedded in today’s dairy technologies, monitors, AMS, feed systems and management software. It’s time to learn to effectively use it. This new, interactive workshop will show attendees how to evaluate AI-enabled tools, integrate data from multiple sources and create actionable plans that improve performance and manage risk.
Space is limited at each session. Learn more and register today.
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LUNG ULTRASOUNDS IN CALF CARE are helping dairy farms detect pneumonia earlier and make more precise treatment decisions. An article from UW-Extension reviews ultrasound process and scoring systems based on the amount of lung consolidation, giving managers an objective way to decide when to treat, monitor recovery and evaluate protocols. It also reviews processes for farms to track scores by age group to spot ventilation or colostrum issues. Learn more.
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WRITTEN PROTOCOLS FOR HANDLING NON-AMBULATORY COWS should be part of every dairy farm’s processes to protect both animals and employees. A Penn State Extension article reviews key elements of a protocol, including working with veterinarian to diagnose issue and provide medical care, proper timing and equipment for moving animals, proper facilities with access to feed, water, bedding and protection from elements and predators and more. Read the full article for details and access to FARM program resources.
| | Your Farm - Your Footprint® | | |
PRODUCER PERSPECTIVE: PAUL LIPPERT
Around the world, dairy buyers and consumers are demanding transparency. While our dairies are already among the most sustainable on the planet, we’ve been slow to gather the data that shows it.
The Your Farm – Your Footprint® initiative was built to fix that. It’s the first-of-its-kind, farmer-led program that helps you calculate your environmental footprint and gives you a customized roadmap for the future.
Here’s what matters most:
✅ This is NOT government money.
✅ Your processor is NOT requiring it.
✅ YOU control your data.
✅ A grant will COVER up to $9,750 per farm (covering up to 2,500 acres).
Learn more in my message to fellow dairy producers or visit the Your Farm – Your Footprint website for details.
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CHEESE AND BUTTERFAT POWERED A STRONG YEAR for U.S. dairy exports in 2025. Export volume rose 4% to 2.32 million metric tons (milk solids equivalent), while value increased 15% to $9.63 billion. Cheese exports surged 20% to more than 613,000 metric tons, and butterfat shipments more than doubled. Not every category grew as nonfat dry milk exports fell, but exports overall accounted for more than 17% of U.S. milk production. Learn more.
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PLAN AHEAD FOR SAFE DISPOSALS OF SHARPS. Improper disposal of needles and lancets can pose serious risks to sanitation workers and the public. The Wisconsin DNR encourages safe packaging and disposal to prevent needle-stick injuries and potential exposure to diseases such as hepatitis or HIV.
- Never place loose needles or lancets in trash or recycling.
- Use a rigid, puncture-resistant container with a secure lid.
- Clearly label the container “biohazard,” “infectious waste,” or “sharps.”
- When full, seal the container and dispose through a sharps collection site, healthcare provider, or mail-back program.
Learn more in English and Spanish handouts.
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"Ideas are important, but they're not essential. What's essential and important is the execution of the idea."
-John Landis
| | Thank You, National Partners | | Thank You, Legacy Partner | | |
Professional Dairy Producers
820 North Main St.
Juneau, WI 53039
800-947-7379
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