PDP Manager's Memo

March 2025 Vol. 5

Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®

The Dairy Signal^®

Check out what's coming this week on The Dairy Signal. Tune in every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday live from noon to 1 p.m. CT, or catch previous episodes on demand here.

April 1 - Coaching Corner: Adding weight to conversations

The “Coaching Corner” returns with an episode focused on adding weight to coaching conversations by introducing, communicating and carrying through with consequences.

Michael Hoffman, President, Igniting Performance

April 2 - Prescribed fire benefits to the farm landscape

Learn how a prescribed fire can benefit the farm landscape, including where to use it, how to apply it and the resources that are available to farmers and landowners.

Britta Petersen, Senior Farm Bill Biologist, Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever
Jake Pulfer, Prescribed Fire Coordinator, Pheasants Forever, Inc.

April 3 - Market update

As we kick off the second quarter of 2025, warmer temperatures and planting season are on everyone’s mind. Hear about the latest in agriculture and dairy markets and the news and trends driving them.

Ben Buckner, Chief Grains and Dairy Analyst, AgResource Company

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Previously on The Dairy Signal

March 25

Tune in for a banker’s perspective on issues facing today’s operations, including making decisions on purchasing or leasing property and equipment and the reasons behind all of the questions a banker may ask.

Elsa Condon, Vice President, Agricultural Banking, Nicolet National Bank
Brian Hoskens, Senior Vice President, Agriculture Banking Manager, Nicolet National Bank

March 26

What separates a leader from a manager? Join this interactive conversation to understand the characteristics of each and how the roles can complement each other.

Don Tyler, Founder of Tyler & Associates, Executive and Management Coach

March 27

Hear the latest research on nitrate leaching in Wisconsin, plans for the future and insights that producers can put to work on their farms. The episode will be presented by:

Lindsey Hartfiel, Research Program Manager, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension
Kelsey Hyland, Agriculture Water Quality Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Extension, Northwest Wisconsin

Opportunities to Learn

Dairy's Visible Voice - Spokesperson Training

April 8 & 15

Multiple locations

YOU HAVE AN IMPACTFUL STORY TO SHARE. Join PDP and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin for a one-day spokesperson training to hone your communications skills and craft your message, leaving you more confident and equipped to tell your story.

Learn more and register

2026 PDP International Tour

February 2-15, 2026

New Zealand

EXPERIENCE THE CULTURE, BEAUTY AND AGRICULTURE of New Zealand in the 14 day/12 night tour featuring stops on both islands. Participants will visit iconic cities, natural wonders and look at the unique low-cost, all-grass dairy sector. A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required.

Learn more and register.

For Your Business Mind

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SENIOR LEADERS STAY QUIET IN STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSIONS? An article from Kellog Insight makes the case for “muting” the boss during brainstorming and planning session to to generate new ideas and give junior team members the opportunity to engage. Conducting an effective session while top leaders are silent requires making room for the team to shine, preparing specific objectives in advance, appointing an effective facilitator, empowering key voices, and finally, knowing when to “unmute” to move planning, decision-making and implementation forward. Learn more.

OVERCOMING “BLIND SPOTS” BY ENCOURAGING FEEDBACK is often easier said than done for today’s managers. Many times feedback from team members can be surface-level, but not helpful in making impactful changes. An article from the “Dear Professor” column provides strategies for leaders to request and receive candid and useful feedback, including:

Don’t say that you “welcome feedback,” empower your team to provide it.
Don’t wait 365 days for a performance review.
Jump-start the conversation.
Say ‘”thank you” and follow up.

Learn more in the full article.

Your Farm - Your Footprint

Grants available to learn your operation's environmental footprint

Dairy producers can receive grants for up to $9,750 (covering up to 2,500 acres) to confidentially learn their farm's environmental footprint score and understand how it is calculated. The second phase of PDP's Your Farm - Your Footprint initiative also offers financial incentives for implementing sustainability-focused farming practices. Cost-share funding is now available for eligible dairy farmers in specific milk sheds to receive financial assistance for adopting best practices that improve farm sustainability and operational efficiency.

The program is made possible by Dairy’s Foundation and sponsorship from Nestlé, furthering the commitment to achieving U.S. dairy’s sustainability goals. As a program sponsor, Nestlé’s involvement highlights the importance of industry-wide collaboration in achieving meaningful environmental progress.

Dairy farmers interested in Your Farm – Your Footprint opportunities can learn more by visiting PDP's website or calling 800-947-7379.

For Your Dairy

NIACIN SUPPLEMENTATION DURING LACTATION can increase feed intake and milk yield, according to a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Dairy Science. Researchers reviewed 41 experiments and compared results of studies that fed rumen-protected and non-protected niacin as well as feeding niacin before calving and only during lactation and found that timing made a difference. Data showed that supplementing rumen-protected niacin pre-partum did not affect feed intake, milk yield or energy corrected milk yield. Learn more in the full article and a blog post.

POSITIVE INTERACTIONS, PREDICTABILITY AND CALM SURROUNDINGS are important for milk letdown and parlor efficiency. An article from UW-Extension reviews the physiological process of releasing oxytocin, which supports efficient and complete milk letdown. Any excitement or agitation within 30 minutes before milking can disrupt milk letdown, including sudden movements, yelling, or loud and unfamiliar noises. Read the full article and share with parlor team members to highlight the “why” behind predictable routines and calm handling are wins for both animal welfare and milking performance.

Book Review

BEGIN WITH WE: 10 PRINCIPLES FOR BUILDING AND SUSTAINING A CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE. Author Kyle McDowell shares a set of principles that challenge the “me-first” mindset that is in place in many modern organizations. Instead, the “WE-oriented” approach prioritizes authenticity, relatability and trust, with principles including leading by example, owning mistakes, embracing challenges, and more. He features stories and strategies from his leadership journey. Learn more.

PDP Podcast Weekly

A Sense of Belonging

At a time when our nation is facing an epidemic of loneliness, when communities are suffering from loss of trust, low levels of engagement, despair, and political polarization, what if the answer to many of our problems lies in a simple idea? What if we just need to pay attention to the places where we find ourselves?

Dr. Richard Kyte, Director Endowed Professor, Servant Leadership at Viterbo University shares more on this week's PDP Podcast.