PDP Manager's Memo

June 2026 Vol. 2

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

The Dairy Signal^®

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

June 9 - Creating Better Sleep Quality

A good night’s sleep is the foundation of a productive day and healthy lifestyle. Tune in for a conversation on creating beneficial habits and tips for a better night’s sleep.

Morgan Ekovich, Health and Nutrition Coach, Founder, Get Fit with ME

June 11 - June in Focus: Initiatives & Celebrating Dairy Month

June Dairy Month is here! Hear from Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin about investment strategies and key initiatives, including the iconic Born To Dairy™ Campaign and other June events and activities.

Suzanne Fanning, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

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 2

Hear the results from a recent study on the impact of freezing colostrum on cells and calf health outcomes and how they will be used to refine colostrum-management guidelines.

Dr. Lautaro Rostoll-Cangiano, PhD, Assistant Professor, Bovine Immunology, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, UW-Madison

June 4

Kick off a new month with a look at dairy exports, trends and market updates that will impact the industry and your operation.

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

HOOF MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

June 16, Plattsburgh, New York

June 18, Athens, Wisconsin

The 2026 Hoof Management Workshops are going out of the conference room and taking learning on-farm.

Working farms in New York and Wisconsin will serve as a live case study where participants will evaluate records, observe cows and facilities, identify risk factors and develop practical solutions alongside peers and experts.

Learn from facilitators:

Karl Burgi, Save Cows Network
Roger Olson, Zinpro Corporation
Dr. Drew Swartz, Utah State University Extension

Simultaneous Spanish translation will be available 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

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP? PDP is inviting industry professionals, dairy producers and community members to celebrate June Dairy Month by giving back to our community. Sign up 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. Register here.

For Your Business Mind

THE CLASS OF 2026 IS ENTERING A WORKFORCE being shaped by multiple disruptions: technology, AI, economic uncertainty and more. A SmartBrief article provides insights for employers to help young professionals build resilience, agility and sound judgment. Organizations that invest in coaching, mentorship and real-world learning experiences to help new employees navigate uncertainty will be best positioned for long-term success. Learn more.

HOW DOES LGM-DAIRY FIT INTO YOUR RISK MANAGEMENT PLANS? UW-Extension’s Leonard Polzin takes a deep dive in to the Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy federal insurance program, how it compares with DMC, DRP and other tools, and practical considerations for Wisconsin dairy producers. Rule changes for the 2026 and succeeding crop years include moving termination date to Sept. 30, change in premium billing timing, subsidy capture prohibition, and more. Learn more.

Your Farm - Your Footprint®

BUILD A ROADMAP FOR THE FUTURE.

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

For Your Dairy

WITH SUMMER APPROACHING, water management deserves a closer look in calf programs. An article from Ohio State Extension reviews the importance of water for pre-weaned calves in supporting rumen development, feed intake and growth. To boost intake, provide clean water separate from milk feedings, refresh it regularly and maintain sanitary containers, especially as heat and humidity increase. Read more.

NEW WORLD SCREWWORM INFORMATION AND RESOURCES are available from federal, state and industry organizations. With the announcement that the pest has been confirmed in Texas, livestock producers should stay up-to-date on current status and understand how to reduce the risk for transmission and spread. Read more from National Milk Producers Federation about monitoring, symptoms and movement controls when infestations are identified in the U.S.

Foundation Focus

PEOPLE OF ALL AGES are learning more about dairy farming and dairy products thanks to three interactive, mobile dairy exhibits created by Envision Greater Fond du Lac Agri-Business Council. The exhibits made their debut at the 2026 Ag Showcase where the games were played continuously throughout the five-hour event.

The exhibits focus on the uses and nutritional value of dairy products along with the technology and sustainability efforts in today’s dairy industry. They are easily moved and will be used to share dairy’s story at libraries, fairs and other events throughout Fond du Lac County.

Envision Greater Fond du Lac Agri-Business Council received a grant from Dairy’s Foundation to help fund the project.

“Through grant opportunities like Dairy’s Foundation, we were able to make our vision of traveling agriculture exhibits a reality. Educating the public about agriculture is worth every dollar spent as fewer and fewer people have any connections to farms and agriculture,” said Amy Ries, director of agricultural programs at Envision Greater Fond du Lac.

Inspiration

“Choose to focus your time, energy and conversation around people who inspire you, support you and help you to grow into your happiest, strongest, wisest self."

— Karen Salmansohn