PDP Manager's Memo

October 2025 Vol. 4

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

The Dairy Signal^®

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

October 28 - Spotlight on Modeling Tools and Reports

Discover how dairy farms are tracking their environmental impact using three leading tools — FARM ES, Cool Farm Tool and Comet. Learn how each model calculates its scores and the key data behind them.

Carson Dugger, Agronomist, Eocene Environmental Group
Grace Moeller, Livestock Specialist, Eocene Environmental Group

October 30 - Market Update

As harvest wraps up in many areas and beef prices make headlines, tune in to hear the latest in ag and dairy market news. Bring your questions for the bi-weekly update.

Ben Buckner, Chief Grains and Dairy Analyst, AgResource Company

Access Now

Previously on The Dairy Signal

October 21

Join an interactive conversation about the probiotics available for dairy cows and what criteria to consider when deciding which is best for your cows and operation.

Dr. Isaac Salfer, PhD, Assistant Professor, Animal Science, University of Minnesota

October 23

Tune in for a discussion on the basics of soil testing, including why it matters, when to do it, how the process works and how to interpret results.

Todd Schaumburg, Part Owner and Agronomist, Tilth Agronomy

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

Opportunities to Learn

PDP BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & ADVANCED FINANCE WORKSHOP

October 29-30, 2025

Sun Prairie, Wis.

THERE'S NO BETTER TIME to invest in yourself, your team and your business by spending two days focused on building your financial, HR and management skills.

The Business Management & Advanced Finance Workshop combines interactive case studies, real-world applications and expert insights from facilitator Dick Witman. It is the perfect opportunity to advance your current practices or learn new strategies to boost your operation’s success.

Don’t miss out – register today and join us this week!

STRIDE™ YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Nov. 12, 2025

River Falls, Wis.

YOUR FUTURE IS NOW. Encourage the high school student in your life to attend the STRIDE™ Youth Leadership Conference.

They will:

Build confidence through interactive sessions led by Michael Hoffman
Tour UW–River Falls
Dive into a hands-on calf health lab
Explore careers through Career Connections

Stride also qualifies as an “above the chapter level” activity for FFA students pursuing state and American degrees.

Learn more and register.

DAIRY WELLBEING WORKSHOP

Nov. 19, 20, 2025

Green Bay, Wis.

MASTER ANIMAL HANDLING & MOBILITY. Don't miss a unique opportunity to boost your entire team's cow care skills.

Behind the scenes processing plant tour at American Foods Group
Practical strategies for calmer cows, safer team members and more productive herds.
Prevention strategies, early detection and intervention tools for lameness.

Learn more and register.

FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR DAIRY

Kewaunee, Wis.

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.

DAIRY MANAGERS INSTITUTE

Dec. 16-17, 2025

Green Bay, Wis.

Learn more and register.

MANAGERS ACADEMY FOR DAIRY PROFESSIONALS®

January 20-22, 2026

Puerto Rico

Learn more and register.

CORNERSTONE DAIRY ACADEMY®

March 3-4, 2026

Madison, Wis.

Applications due Jan. 15

Learn more and apply.

For Your Business Mind

THE DAIRY INNOVATION HUB WILL HOST its sixth annual Dairy Summit on Nov. 18, at UW–River Falls. The free, public event will showcase the Hub’s newest research projects and feature a student impact panel highlighting how Hub-supported students are shaping Wisconsin’s dairy future. Afternoon tours will explore the Dairy Pilot Plant, Meat Plant, and Humane Handling Institute. In-person and virtual attendance options are available, and all sessions will be recorded. Pre-registration is required. Learn more and register.

STRIVING FOR PERFECTION can actually block some of the traits that make leaders effective. A Fast Company article highlights how leaders who allow themselves to be vulnerable — saying “I don’t know,” owning mistakes, sharing work early — can create space for human connection and stronger influence. Authentic leadership thrives not on perfection, but on presence, honesty and trust. Learn more.

Your Farm - Your Footprint

YOUR SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS MATTER

With Your Farm - Your Footprint (YFYF), you can measure the impact of your sustainability efforts—without having to share your data with anyone.

YFYF provides tools and report information 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/.

For Your Dairy

TROUBLESHOOT SANITATION AND PROTOCOL ISSUES with bacterial counts, including the Preliminary Incubation Count (PIC), Standard Plate Count (SPC), Laboratory Pasteurization Count (LPC) and coliform results. A Penn State Extension article reviews ways to interpret results and how factors like udder cleanliness, equipment condition, cooling system drainage, and water quality each influence the counts. For example, a higher PIC than SPC often points to contamination outside the udder, such as lines, bulk tank or environment. Read more.

HOW DO LOW BLOOD CALCIUM PATTERNS relate to inflammation and performance of Holstein cows during early lactation. A recent study from Cornell reviewed data for insights to help farmers make informed decisions about nutrition and herd management. The study followed 96 cows that were grouped retrospectively based on their blood calcium concentration at 1 and 5 days in milk, including normal, transient subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH), delayed SCH and persistent SCH. The persistent SCH group showed more inflammation and poorer performance. Read the full article or a Miner Report summary for more details and practical actions for producers.

Book Review: Live Life Rich

LIVE LIFE RICH: THE ENTREPRENEUR'S GUIDE TO DREAM BIG, MULTIPLY YOUR MONEY AND TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FINANCIAL FREEDOM.

Speaker and financial coach Marissa Nehlsen helps readers and entrepreneurs build a “financial freedom plan” so they can live the life they’ve always wanted to live. Her guide will show you how to set a clear vision, make money your best employee, open up connections, opportunities, and networks, fire your worst business partner (the tax collector) and prepare a legacy plan.

Learn more about the book here and make plans to learn from Marissa Nehlsen in person at the 2026 Managers Academy for Dairy Professionals.