PDP Manager's Memo

March 2026 Vol. 1

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

The Dairy Signal^®

There are no new episodes of The Dairy Signal this week. We hope to see you in person at the 2026 PDP Business Conference and will be back with new episodes on March 10.

Previously on The Dairy Signal

Feb. 24

Tune in for a candid conversation about handling ethical dilemmas in the workplace. Walk through real-world scenarios, what constitutes an ethical dilemma and what managers and owners can do to prepare for potential issues.

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

Feb. 26

The ability to manage information to effectively track performance and make decisions is a skill that will separate top tier dairies in the future. Hear about strategies and tools to effectively manage information and communicate for success.

Tim Schaefer, CFP, Certified Family Business Advisor, Certified Professional Business Coach, Encore Consultants
Tracey Wiedmeyer, Co-Founder and CEO, Gripp Ag

2026 PDP Business Conference

IT'S NOT TOO LATE:
WALK-INS WELCOME!

We know that schedules are unpredictable, so if your calendar just opened up, it isn't too late to join us at the 2026 PDP Business Conference. Walk-ins are welcome on March 4 and 5 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis.

For details, visit the 2026 Business Conference website or check out flyers in English and Spanish.

2026 Flyer

Learn More and Register

Opportunities to Learn

NEW PROGRAM ALERT!

PDP SMART DAIRY WORKSHOP

April 15 - Chippewa Falls, Wis.

April 16 - Manitowoc, Wis.

Don't miss this hands-on, computer-lab style workshop to take a deep dive into artificial intelligence tools to analyze farm data and make high-impact decisions. Space is limited - learn more and register today.

Dairy Currents

WIDESPREAD USE OF GLP-1 WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATIONS is significantly influencing shopping and eating habits. A Food Dive article reports that households with drug users tend to spend less on snacks and processed foods, prompting reformulations focused on protein, fiber and smaller portions. Brands are adapting marketing and product lines to meet evolving demand, seeing the trend as a long-term influencer on consumption patterns rather than a fleeting diet craze. Learn more.

BORN TO DAIRY LAUNCH EVENT. On the eve of the PDP Business Conference, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin will unveil the full 2026 Born to Dairy campaign—a groundbreaking, yearlong platform that puts farmers, humor, and heart at the center of Wisconsin’s $52 billion dairy impact. You are invited to a exclusive celebration at Four Winds Farm on March 3. Learn more and RSVP.

Your Farm - Your Footprint®

THINKING ABOUT IMPROVEMENTS?

PDP's Your Farm - Your Footprint can help identify opportunities and connect dairy producers with potential funding sources for improvements that boost sustainability. Get started today by getting your baseline score.

“Loading my data into the system was surprisingly simple. Not too difficult or time consuming. They asked for typical, on-farm data we already had available.”

Janet Clark, Rosendale, Wis.

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

For Your Business Mind

TRANSITIONING TO AUTOMATIC MILKING SYSTEMS requires careful financial analysis beyond upfront equipment costs. The AMS Transition Budgeter from the Dairy Management program at UW-Madison provides a scenario-based approach to evaluating herd performance, labor reallocation, debt servicing and operating expenses over time. By highlighting key variables, the tool enables dairy businesses to stress-test projections and make data-driven decisions about adopting robotic technology. Learn more.

STRUGGLING TO REMEMBER KEY DETAILS? A study found that taking notes by hand leads to better recall and comprehension than snapping photos or typing them, even when digital notes are reviewed later. Handwriting forces you to synthesize ideas rather than transcribe, engaging your brain more deeply. A quick review the next day further boosts long-term retention. Read more.