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February 2025 Vol. 4
Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®
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Check out what's coming this week on The Dairy Signal. Tune in every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday live from noon to 1 p.m. CT, or catch previous episodes on demand here. | |
Feb. 25 - Carbon Credit Contracts | |
Feb. 26 - Healthy Sleep Habits | |
Feb. 27 - Youngstock Group Housing | |
Previously on The Dairy Signal | |
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February 18
Tune in for a conversation about farm insurance and how to prevent being under-insured or over-insured, as well as the risks involved.
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Sara Grade, Products and Product Training Manager, Rural Mutual Insurance Company
February 19
Curious if cover crops are right for you? Join an interactive discussion on where cover crops are an easy fit and where they need more management, and how to select the right blend or species.
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Matthew Oehmichen, Part Owner, Short Lane Ag Supply
February 20
Learn about the latest market, export, and weather news that are driving agricultural and dairy markets and the trends that you should know about as we look ahead to the 2025 growing season.
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Ben Buckner, Chief Grains and Dairy Analyst, AgResource Company
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OPTIMIZE HERD HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY with a new appreciation and understanding of the epicenter of dairy production: the udder. UW-Madison's Dr. Alysia Vang, PhD, and Natalia Teixeira, will lead the "Nature's milk machine: a view from the inside" Hands-on Hub session twice each day of the 2025 Business Conference. In this captivating hands-on dissection lab, participants will uncover the intricate processes of milk secretion, udder development and immune response to infection. Learn more in Business Conference flier. | |
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EARLY PREGNANCY LOSSES represent a major and previously unaccounted for challenge in dairy cattle management, according to an article from Michigan State Extension, highlighting that their research showed about 90% of dairy cows become pregnant after AI, only about 49% remain pregnant at 62 days post-AI, even following a fertility program. Most of these losses occur before a 35-day pregnancy diagnosis. The authors pointed out three key findings:
- Detecting early pregnancy is key
- Cows that have delayed time to conceptus attachment will likely have pregnancy loss
- The ration of estrogen to progesterone in the dam’s circulatory system prior to conception is a key indicator of embryonic survival
Read the full article to learn more.
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2025 Business Conference Corner | |
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Two days, 50 sessions, unlimited opportunities
Where else can you go to spend two days with the best in the dairy business?
With sessions for every learning style and simultaneous Spanish translation, the 2025 PDP Business Conference provides unmatched learning and networking opportunities for your dairy team.
Visit the 2025 Business Conference website for a full listing of producer panels, Hands-on Hub, and other sessions, and don't wait to book discounted hotel rates at several Madison hotels with deadlines throughout February. Learn more and register.
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Where innovation meets dairy
Success in dairy demands forward-thinking solutions, breakthrough technologies and bold ideas. Nexus is the ultimate stage for innovation - combining the energy of Shark Tank with the inspiration of TED Talks, bringing you cutting-edge tools and strategies poised to transform the industry.
Five companies were chosen out of a competitive pool of applicants to share their game-changing products and services on the Nexus Stage both days of the conference.
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Groundbreaking insights on Preview Stages
Discover innovative ideas from leading researchers and students at Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin system.
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"Ecological intensification for productivity, profitability, soil health and carbon sequestration," presented by Dr. Greg Sanford and Gideon Fynaardt will review the Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial with a goal to identify sustainable strategies for dairy-forage and cash-grain systems. (10:10 a.m., Day One)
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"Modeling a path forward for expanding U.S. dairy farms," presented by Lynn Olthof, will share an analysis and innovative extension tool to guide farmers through profitable, efficient and low-risk expansion strategies. (3:00 p.m., Day One)
- "Profitability of automated milking systems and labor implications for Wisconsin dairy farmers," presented by Dr. Chuck Nicholson and Jalyssa Beaudry, reviews a study focused on financial impacts and operational efficiencies of automated milking systems. (10:50 a.m., Day Two)
- "Analytical tools for assessing changes to milk pricing under FMMOs," presented by Dr. Chuck Nicholson and Jack Myers, reviews modeling framework that evaluates modifications or elimination of FMMOs to inform policy discussions. (11:40 a.m., Day Two)
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HOW ARE INTERNATIONAL PRODUCERS ADAPTING TO EVOLVING TRENDS AND POLICIES? Discover firsthand how dairy leaders are tackling challenges and positioning for success in a global market in the "Global dairying: Insights from Ireland, France and the Netherlands" afternoon breakout session on Day One of the 2025 Business Conference. Panelists will include dairy producers Thibault Cordel from Lorraine, France; David Hyland from County Laois, Ireland; and Anton Stokman from the Netherlands. Learn more in Business Conference flier. | |
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SIGNPOSTS TO WATCH FOR DAIRY EXPORTS IN 2025. The team of economists at the US Dairy Export Council shared a blog post with five key markers or “signposts” to watch for dairy export or contraction in the year ahead, including:
- Will Chinese dairy imports finally come back?
- Can Mexico and Latin America continue to grow?
- Will we see the global economy improve?
- How strong will Southeast Asia’s dairy appetite be in 2025?
- Will U.S. milk production rebound?
Read the full article for details and analysis on each marker.
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Your Farm - Your Footprint | |
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Your Farm – Your Footprint: Your Sustainability Story
Modern consumers value sustainably produced food, and your farm is already doing its part. With Your Farm - Your Footprint (YFYF), you can highlight your sustainability efforts—without having to share your data with anyone.
YFYF helps you measure the impact of your practices, so you can confidently showcase your farm’s commitment to sustainability. The data stays with you, but the story of your farm’s positive environmental and resource management practices is yours to tell.
Your sustainability efforts matter, and with YFYF, you control how you share that story.
Learn more and sign up today at www. pdpw.org/your-farm-your-footprint/.
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Servant Leadership 101
Servant leadership trainer Tom Thibodeau shares his insights on what it takes to be a servant leader.
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Premier Suppliers and Supporters | |
Thank you to the partners and premier suppliers who support your professional development organization. Dairy's Premier Suppliers are those who faithfully exhibit and support PDP's Business Conference and are trusted, leading providers of high-quality products, services and solutions essential to the dairy industry. See below to learn more about some of our farm implement and equipment suppliers. | |
Interested in becoming a part of dairy's premier suppliers? Submit your trade show contract for the 2025 Hall of Ideas and Equipment Show at the PDP Business Conference, March 12-13, 2025. | |
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"Leadership is doing what is right when no one is watching."
- George Van Valkenburg
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Business Management & Advanced Finance Workshop
Oct 29-30, 2025
Managers Academy
Jan 20-21, 2026
2026 PDP Business Conference
March 4-5, 2026
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Thank You, National Partners | | |
Professional Dairy Producers
820 North Main St.
Juneau, WI 53039
800-947-7379
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