PDP Manager's Memo

November 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!

November 25 - Market Update

Tune in for an interactive discussion and analysis of the news, exports, weather and trends impacting the dairy industry as we wrap up 2025 and look ahead to 2026.

Ben Buckner, Chief Grains and Dairy Analyst, AgResource Company

There will not be an episode of The Dairy Signal on Thursday, November 27. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Previously on The Dairy Signal

November 18

Bring your questions for dairy producers who have participated in the Your Farm – Your Footprint^® initiative. Hear about what they have learned through the process and how they have used their confidential data analysis to make decisions on the farm.

David Trimner, General Manager and Co-Owner, Miltrim Farms Inc.
Paul Lippert, Owner, Grass Ridge Farm, LLC

November 20

Tune in for a timely conversation about New World screwworm flies, including what it was like for animals and producers when they were present in the U.S., what the USDA is doing to prevent their return and what to look for.

Dr. Keith Poulsen, PhD, Director, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL), University of Wisconsin

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

Opportunities to Learn

MANAGERS ACADEMY FOR DAIRY PROFESSIONALS®

January 20-22, 2026

San Juan, Puerto Rico

STEP AWAY from daily demands and focus on big-picture growth. Over three powerful days of executive training and out-of-industry tours, you’ll:

Build a multi-year action plan tailored to your business
Gain practical language to handle the toughest conversations
Turn pressure points into clear, winning strategies

Learn more and register.

DAIRY MANAGERS INSTITUTE

Dec. 16-17, 2025

Green Bay, Wis.

Learn more and register.

DAIRY INSIGHTS SUMMIT

Dec. 11, 2025

Madison, Wis.

Learn more and register.

FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR DAIRY

Kewaunee, Wis.

Level Two -

Jan. 15-16, 2026

Feb. 4-5, 2026

Mar. 10-11, 2026

Learn more and register.

CORNERSTONE DAIRY ACADEMY®

March 3-4, 2026

Madison, Wis.

Applications due Jan. 15

Learn more and apply.

Dairy Currents

U.S. DAIRY MILK SALES REACHED $20.4 BILLION for the 52 weeks ending Sept. 6, up 3.5% year-over-year. The 2025 “State of the Industry” report from Dairy Foods magazine highlighted that this growth was largely driven by price increases (up 4.6%) as volumes slightly declined (-0.4%) in conventional milk. Wellness-focused dairy innovations such as lactose-free, ultra-filtered, high-protein, and gut-health-focused products are gaining traction as brands look to appeal to evolving consumer demands and move beyond traditional milk formats. Learn more.

MULTI-MODAL LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS CAN SUPPORT decision-making, streamline administrative tasks, and interpret complex farm data. A UW-Extension article outlines the potential of these tools, noting that their real value depends on how producers choose to use them. It recommends that farmers begin experimenting with AI now to test simple applications, observe where the tools save time, and identify tasks where accuracy and efficiency improve. By building familiarity early, producers can make informed decisions about adoption, avoid overreliance, and better position their businesses to benefit from future innovation. Read more.

Your Farm - Your Footprint®

THE BIG FOUR

Your Farm - Your Footprint (YFYF) provides four key unbiased, data-protected components to help you confidentially measure, manage and improve your farm’s sustainability.

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

“Having our carbon score puts us ahead of the game. Now that we have this information we can act on it - and that gives us a new data point to enhance our business."

David Trimner, Miltrim Farms, Inc.

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

For Your Business Mind

WHAT IS YOUR PRODUCTIVITY STYLE? We each have a natural style of working that allows us to perform at our best. An article from Fast Company highlights how to find your style to better plan your day and approach projects and teams:

Track your energy levels for a week to identify peak energy hours
Map your motivational triggers, such as whether you thrive with checklists or freedom
Replay your work history
Try tasks outside your default style for a week and notice whether they energize or drain you
Seek feedback from colleagues

Read the full article to learn more.

A FARM’S CULTURE IS OFTEN REFLECTED in small, overlooked details, and restroom conditions can be a powerful indicator. Clean, well-maintained facilities signal professionalism, support employee dignity, and demonstrate a commitment to high standards. An article from Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development recommends establishing clear protocols, incorporating restroom expectations into onboarding, assigning and rotating responsibilities, labeling supplies, and monitoring compliance. Prioritizing restroom cleanliness ultimately reinforces shared values, strengthens morale, and sends a clear message about what is expected, tolerated and celebrated. Read more.

Book Review: Tuesdays with Morrie

TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE is a classic memoir written by Mitch Albom who documents his weekly meetings with a former mentor who is dying.

The book provides valuable perspectives and life lessons on topics including life, death, forgiveness and regret as Morrie reflects on living a meaningful life even as his body grows weaker.

With human-centered leadership at its heart, the book’s title character emphasizes that relationships matter more than achievements or wealth. While leaders often get caught up in metrics and competition, this memoir reminds them that genuine connection and compassion build stronger, more resilient teams. Read more.