PDP Manager's Memo

May 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!

May 26 - Exploring Reproductive Protocols and Procedures

Reproductive efficiency is a key success factor on today’s dairy farms. Join an interactive discussion on reproductive protocols and procedures to learn about the latest research and recommendations.

Dr. Paul Fricke, PhD, Dairy Reproduction Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison

May 28 - 2026 Dairy Outlook: Quarter 2

Tune in for an update on dairy markets and policy developments, along with practical considerations and risk factors producers should watch as they navigate continued volatility in 2026.

Leonard Polzin, Dairy Markets and Policy Outreach Specialist, UW-Extension

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

May 19

Hear from Wisconsin Beef Council how producer checkoff dollars are being invested to drive demand and fuel market growth, as well as how this work connects with and supports dairy producers.

Tammy Vaassen, executive director, Wisconsin Beef Council

May 21

With summer just around the corner, hear about the trends that will drive agriculture and dairy markets for the next few months and the rest of 2026.

Ben Buckner, chief grains and dairy analyst, AgResource Company

Opportunities to Learn

HOOF MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

June 16, Plattsburgh, New York

June 18, Athens, Wisconsin

Lameness is one of the leading causes of lost milk production and premature culling, making proactive hoof management essential. This is a must-attend for your hoof trimmer, herdsperson, veterinarian, nutritionist and dairy cow managers.

Attendees will learn practical strategies to:

Identify environmental and management risk factors
Use hoof health records to uncover trends and guide decisions
Strengthen prevention and treatment protocols for chronic cows
Connect hoof health to labor efficiency, cow comfort and profitability

Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided at all sessions.

Learn more and register.

PDP ACCELERATE™

July 28, 2026

Madison, Wis.

Learn more

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

JOIN THE PDP TEAM IN GIVING BACK DURING JUNE DAIRY MONTH! Dairy industry professionals, producers and community members are invited to donate blood 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. Learn more and register here.

Dairy Currents

TEENAGERS ARE SHOWING STRONG CONFIDENCE in dairy, according to the latest Consumer Perceptions Tracker from Dairy Management Inc. The study found that overall confidence rose in 2025, with 36% of all age groups giving dairy its top two trust ratings (on a 7 point scale), but teenagers led the way with 47% ranking dairy a 6 or 7 in the 7-point scale. Learn more in a NMPF blog post.

AS THE SCHOOL YEAR WINDS DOWN, many students will spend more time on the family farm or work at dairy farms and ag-related businesses. Make sure everyone on the operation is prepared by reviewing the “Safety for Working Youth” checklist from the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center. A few guidelines:

Youth should only be assigned tasks or chores appropriate for their age and ability.
Youth should be able to complete a task safely 4-5 times before working alone.
They should be dressed appropriately to be working in the farm worksite and provided PPE in appropriate sizes.

Learn more in the article and full checklist.

Your Farm - Your Footprint®

KNOW YOUR NUMBER

PDP's Your Farm - Your Footprint puts your farm at the forefront of sustainability as the dairy supply chain looks to reduce its carbon footprint.

Through Tier 1, dairy producers can receive non-government grants up to $9,750 per farm (up to 2,500 acres) to get their carbon footprint scores. A confidential third party will gather your information and help you learn your farm’s environmental footprint score, how it's calculated and potential opportunities to reduce your score. Learn more and sign up today at www.pdpw.org/your-farm-your-footprint/.

For Your Business Mind

WILL AN IMPROVED FRESH COW MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PAY OFF? The Fresh Cow Program Economic Analyzer from UW-Extension calculates the total economic cost of six transition cow disorders – metritis, clinical ketosis, displaced abomasum, hypocalcemia, retained placenta and clinical mastitis in the first 30 days – for both the current fresh cow program and an improved program under consideration. The results can be printed and shared with your team and advisors to aid decision-making. Learn more.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRODUCTIVE LEADERS AND EXHAUSTED LEADERS is determined by how well they manage their energy, rest and focus to avoid burnout. Inc.com provides key habits for making the most of the work day: