PDP Manager's Memo

August 2026 Vol. 1

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

The Dairy Signal^®

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

August 4 - Hydration that Works

We know staying hydrated - especially during summer months - is important to physical and mental health. Tune in to learn about signs of dehydration, when electrolytes are needed, best beverages for long workdays and more.

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

August 6 - Market Update

Join the bi-weekly market update for the latest insights on exports, international news, weather, crop progress and more that will impact your farm and the dairy industry.

Ben Buckner, Chief Grains and Dairy Analyst, AgResource Company

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

July 28 - Burnout Awareness & Support Strategies

Burnout is more than everyday stress. It is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that can affect dairy producers, families and employees when high demands persist over time. Learn practical strategies to prevent burnout, including creating clear job descriptions, recognizing employees for milestones and accomplishments, and encouraging simple self-care habits.

Monica Kramer McConkey, LPC, Rural Behavioral Health Counselor & Consultant, Eyes on the Horizon Consulting, LLC

July 30 - Waterways: A Timely Conservation Tool

Hear about Discovery Farms research showing the impact of properly installed or renovated grass waterways on soil loss along with practical conservation strategies such as reducing tillage, adding cover crops, maintaining grass waterways and matching management practices to a field's erosion risk.

Todd Prill, Northwest Region Outreach Specialist, Ag Water Quality Program, UW Extension

Opportunities to Learn

Have you heard? PDP is going to Idaho!

IDAHO DAIRY TOURS. Explore some of the largest and most innovative dairies in the country, tour potato and sugar beet operations and experience the natural beauty of Idaho's Magic Valley. Don't wait: space is limited to the first 45 registered active dairy producers!

October 19-23, 2026

Learn more.

Expand your network, learn from peers

JOIN A PEER GROUP. PDP Peer Groups bring together 6 to 8 dairy producers who are matched based on shared interests, goals and experiences. It's an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, visit other farms, ask questions and have honest conversations with people who understand your business. Learn more and complete an interest form.

Upcoming programs

2026 CALF FACILITY TOURS

Three days, three ways to boost your calf program. Join us for an inside look at three Wisconsin operations and the facilities, technologies and management practices they use to raise healthy calves and heifers.

Aug. 11 - Blanchardville, Wis.

Aug. 12 - De Pere, Wis. - SOLD OUT

Aug. 13 - Watertown, Wis.

Learn more

ACE TWILIGHT MEETINGS

Invite your friends and neighbors to join you in a farm tour, ice cream and open conversations about what is most important to rural Wisconsin. You'll join fellow producers, community leaders and elected officials in events hosted by PDP, Wisconsin Towns Association and Wisconsin Counties Association.

August 24, 25, 26, 27

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

DAIRY MANAGERS INSTITUTE®

Green Bay, Wis.

Dec. 15-16, 2026

Learn more

For Your Dairy

ENERGY PARTIONING TO MEET COWS’ NEEDS during stages of lactation can boost animal health and production over the course of their lifetime while increasing the farmer’s profitability and efficiency. An Ohio State Extension article reviews how producers and nutritionists can use those metabolic changes to manage the cows according to goals throughout lactation, such as maximizing milk production in early lactation, and minimizing body weight gain while maintaining or increasing milk production during later lactation. Learn more.

CAN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HELP IDENTIFY PAIN in dairy calves? Michigan State researchers tested AI tools using calf facial images after disbudding and found they could reliably recognize some pain-related facial expressions, though accuracy varied by trait. The research highlights AI's potential as a practical on-farm tool to support calf welfare while emphasizing that more development and validation are still needed. Learn more.

Your Farm - Your Footprint®

THE BIG FOUR

Your Farm - Your Footprint provides four key unbiased, data-protected components:

Comprehensive sustainability assessment
Customized action plan for your farm
Peer learning network
Financial assistance

"Put simply, Your Farm-Your Footprint is one of the most cost-effective ways a dairy farm can stay ahead of the curve on the sustainability front."

-John Ruedinger, Ruedinger Farms, Inc.

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

Dairy Currents

THE U.S. DAIRY INDUSTRY IS INVESTING a record $11 billion in new and expanded processing facilities across 19 states. Driven by rising consumption of high-protein dairy products, expanding exports and increased milk production, companies are building next-generation plants that emphasize automation, artificial intelligence, energy efficiency and sustainability. Learn more.

BUILDING A SAFETY CULTURE is not about creating complex systems or adding unnecessary work; it is about taking consistent, practical steps that fit into everyday farm operations. UW-Extension provides a roadmap and resources, with the following steps:

1. Craft your safety policy

2. Involve workers in policy creation

3. Create job safety analyses

4. Approach hazards using Hierarchy of Safety Controls

5. Communicate weekly

6. Monitor

Learn more.

Member Profile

LEADING WITH PEOPLE AND PURPOSE AT ADIRONDACK FARMS

For Shane St. Cyr, dairy farming is about both cows and people. While Adirondack Farms is different than the small dairy farm he grew up on in Maine, the values that drive success remain the same.

“The scale is different. The technology is different these days. How you treat people and how you treat cows hasn’t changed,” says St. Cyr. “It’s always been those fundamental things that, when done right, will help you be successful.”

That commitment to people is evident throughout Adirondack Farms. From everyday interactions to team-building activities, St. Cyr has fostered a culture where employees support one another and work together toward shared goals.

Professional development and continuous learning are also key priorities. As a 2026 Cornerstone Dairy Academy® graduate, St. Cyr values opportunities to gain new perspectives and bring fresh ideas back to the farm. With his completion of all three Cornerstone pillars, he has also opened the door for another team member to continue their own leadership journey.

“I don’t think I have ever gone to a Business Conference or Cornerstone and not brought something back,” says St. Cyr.

His advice to fellow dairy producers: “Stay curious. Never stop seeking opportunities for engagement, inspiration and education.”

To learn more about Shane and Adirondack Farms, watch the full producer profile here.