PDP Manager's Memo

August 2025 Vol. 3

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 and Thursday live from noon to 1 p.m. CT, or catch previous episodes on demand here.

August 19 - FARM 2025: Updates, Insights and What's Next

Learn about the FARM program in 2025, including updates and what is coming next. The conversation will also explore how producers can take the next step with the Environmental Stewardship component of the program. Presenters will be:

Meggan Hain, DVM, Chief Veterinary Officer, National Milk Producers Federation
Sage Saffran, Manager, Sustainability Initiatives, National Milk Producers Federation

August 21 - Market Update

With summer winding down, tune in for a discussion of industry and market news that will impact the dairy industry and your operation. Presenter will be:

Ben Buckner, Chief Grains and Dairy Analyst, AgResource Company

Access Now

Thank you to Dairy Management Inc. for their sponsorship of The Dairy Signal. Funded by America’s dairy farm families and dairy importers, the checkoff works to grow sales and build trust in dairy. Your dairy checkoff works through restaurant, retail and foodservice partners; youth outreach, research and product development and more. Connect and learn how we’re making every drop count at d airycheckoff.com.

Previously on The Dairy Signal

August 12

Join an interactive conversation about research and best practices for using integrated pest management and conservation cropping systems to promote beneficial insects.

Dane Elmquist, Ph.D., Conservation Cropping Outreach Specialist (Statewide), UW-Madison Extension

August 14

Don't take on extra workload that isn't yours. Learn how to return responsibilities to the right people and ensure they own the outcome.

Linda Swindling, Founder & CEO of JourneyOn

Opportunities to Learn

2025 WISCONSIN FARM TECHNOLOGY TOURS

August 19, 20, 21

Casco, Waunakee, Markesan, WI

THINKING ABOUT UPDATING YOUR NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM? Don't miss tours showcasing the latest in nutrient management technologies and hear insights from the producers working with them every day. It's not too late to join the tours! Learn more and register.

ACE® ON-THE-FARM TWILIGHT MEETINGS

August 25, 26, 27, 28

Durand, Tomah, Newton, Watertown, WI

CONNECT WITH YOUR COMMUNITY!

The value of Wisconsin’s agriculture industry is more than $116 billion, and dairy represents over one-third of that number. The unique partnership between PDP, Wisconsin Counties Association and Wisconsin Towns Association gives community leaders and elected officials an inside perspective on how agriculture drives our economy.

Make plans to attend, and invite friends and neighbors to come together for a farm tour, ice cream and conversations about important issues impacting your community.

Mon., Aug 25

Lindstrom Valley Farms

Durand, Wis.

Tues., Aug 26

Chapman Farms Dairy LLC

Tomah, Wis.

Wed., Aug. 20

Grotegut Dairy Farm, Inc.

Newton, Wis.

Thurs., Aug. 21

Rosy-Lane Holsteins

Watertown, Wis.

These meetings are free and open to the public.

Learn more and register.

PDP BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & ADVANCED FINANCE WORKSHOP

October 29-30, 2025

Sun Prairie, WI

Learn more and register.

Financial Literacy for Dairy

Level One -

Nov. 12-13, 2025

Dec. 3-4, 2025

Level Two -

Jan. 15-16, 2026

Feb. 4-5, 2026

Mar. 10-11, 2026

Learn more and register.

MANAGERS ACADEMY FOR DAIRY PROFESSIONALS®

January 20-22, 2026

Puerto Rico

Learn more and register.

For Your Dairy

WHAT NONGENETIC FACTORS IMPACT GESTATION LENGTH? Research published in the Journal of Dairy Science reviewed 9,750 gestation length records from 4,256 multiparous dairy cows. Longer gestation length was, on average, associated with older cows, cows giving birth to singleton male calves, and cows conceiving early in the lactation cycle. Calves with very short (260-274 days) or very long gestations (288-305 days) had nearly double the odds of perinatal mortality compared with calves born with a gestation between 280 and 282 days. The need for calving assistance for calves born with longer gestation lengths (≥283 d) was 1.38 times that of calves born with gestation lengths of between 280 and 282 days. The authors noted that the study provides valuable insights for predicting expected calving dates by considering key factors associated with gestation length. Learn more.

HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA (H5N1) SPREADS RAPIDLY between cows and into other species, while disrupting all segments of the dairy industry. A new invited review in the Journal of Dairy Science provides a comprehensive analysis of the outbreak’s impacts. Authors recommend a One Health approach that links the health of animals, humans and the environment to address it. The article outlines transmission pathways, including possible contamination via feed, water, aerosols and draws attention to the outbreak’s impact not just on production and supply chains, but also on dairy workers’ health and wellbeing, along with potential risks to human health. Read a summary and the full article.

Your Farm - Your Footprint

BUILD A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE WITH YOUR FARM-YOUR FOOTPRINT.

Sustainability isn’t just about the environment—it’s about building a balanced, thriving farm. Your Farm - Your Footprint (YFYF) helps you integrate all three pillars of sustainability into your operation:

Economic: Strengthen your bottom line by optimizing resources and improving efficiency.
Social: Foster a positive impact on your community and ensure a thriving workplace for generations to come.
Environmental: Reduce your footprint, conserve resources, and protect the land that supports your success.

YFYF brings together the tools, data, and expertise to help you measure your progress and take action. By balancing these three pillars, your farm can grow stronger today while planning for tomorrow.

Visit the website or email croy@pdpw.org to learn more.

Dairy Currents

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR DAIRY BUSINESS INNOVATION ALLIANCE GRANTS. Two programs administered by the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) are accepting applications through Sept. 30. The Dairy Business Builder program is for applicants interested in diversifying on-farm activity, creating value-added products, or enhancing dairy byproducts, and the Dairy Industry Impact program is open for businesses pursuing projects focused on exporting or sustainability with a potential impact on the broader industry. Applicants in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin may apply to both grant programs and are eligible to receive awards of up to $100,000 from each offering. For large equipment expenditures, awards of up to $150,000 may be made due to rising equipment costs. Learn more.

TURN “NEAR MISSES” INTO LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES to prevent serious events in the future. An article from UW Extension shares strategies to use “close calls” that could have resulted in injuries or damage as warning signs that can help dairy teams make changes in equipment, processes or behaviors. Encouraging reporting of these near misses is an important first step and can be encouraged by:

1. Foster a no-blame, no shame culture.

2. Thank employees for speaking up.

3. Act on the information.

4. Incorporate “close call” reviews in safety training.

5. Make it part of onboarding.

Learn more in the full article.

On the Road: Vandoske's Countyline Creamery

Bob and Tara Vandoske are third generation dairy farmers near Cleveland, Wisconsin, who have expanded their operation to serve both consumers and the dairy industry with a focus on quality and animal care.

Vandoske Dairy Farms currently has a herd of 650 cows, all registered Holsteins, and raise corn, alfalfa and wheat on about 1,100 acres. Plans for a new freestall barn led to diversification opportunities for the family.

“We are active in showing cattle and needed a better place to house our show cows, and as we were planning a new barn through the COVID pandemic, we also started thinking about how to diversify the business,” said Bob.

Vandoske’s Countyline Creamery opened in June 2024 and serves ice cream and sells glass-bottled milk, cheese and other treats. Mobile carts can be rented for special events. The retail shop features viewing windows so customers can see into the barn and milking parlor. The Vandoskes also board show animals in their new barn.

The first year of operation was an opportunity to test new ideas and learn from customers, including operating hours, advertising strategy and hosting events and seasonal activities to draw customers, said Bob. They sell sweet corn in season and are planning a harvest festival with a corn maze, pumpkins and more. Follow on Facebook.

Bob and Tara have three children - Brianne, Reid, and Brooklyn – who have all been involved in the dairy farm, show cattle, and creamery.