December 2024 Vol. 5

Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®

There will be no episodes of The Dairy Signal from December 31 to January 2. Enjoy the holidays with family and friends, and we look forward to new episodes in the New Year that connect you with industry experts and leaders!

You can catch up on the episodes you missed by accessing them on demand here.

START THE NEW YEAR STRONG with strategies for closing out 2024, recharging and setting intentional goals for 2025. An article from SmartBrief shares tips, including:

• Tackle loose ends like overdue emails, finalizing reports or organizing to-do list that can create mental clutter in the New Year
• Organize your physical and digital space to start January with a clear slate
• Celebrate your accomplishments
• Review employee benefits
• Organize priorities for 2025

Learn more in the full article.

GO BEYOND ASSETS AND LEGAL DETAILS to understand and address the emotions, values and goals of the people involved in a farm succession. It is normal to have tension around a succession process, especially in key areas of control, finances, communication, inheritance and change. An article from UW-Extension highlights strategies to address each of these areas and questions to spur discussion before and during the succession process. Learn more.

Opportunities to Learn

For Your Dairy

PROPER VENTILATION LEADS TO HEALTHIER CALVES in all seasons, but it is even more critical during as the temperatures drop in the winter. After one month old, dairy calves are most comfortable between 50°F and 80°F and kept in an environment without drafts or direct winds. However, circulating fresh air is key to prevent humidity, stale air and harmful ammonia odors. Calf jackets and clean, dry bedding can also help insulate the calf during cold weather. An article from Penn State Extension shares ventilation tips for hutches and buildings that can be maintained throughout the seasons. Learn more.

MANAGING BODY CONDITION SCORE AND HYPERKETONEMIA has been recognized as beneficial to dairy cattle health and milk production. A study in the Journal of Dairy Science focused on the impact of Body Condition Loss and hyperketonemia on disease and fertility on a Michigan dairy herd using an automated milking system, finding that higher rates were associated with greater odds of pregnancy loss after first service. Learn more in the full study.

Your Farm Your Footprint

START THE NEW YEAR WITH NEW INSIGHTS ON YOUR FARM'S ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT. 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/.

PDP Podcast Weekly

Happy New Year! - Tom Thibodeau

Happy New Year! This is a time for friends and family. A time for reflection and a time for new beginnings. Servant leadership trainer Tom Thibodeau reflects on how he has changed his thoughts and beliefs through the years compared to the perspective he believed once back in the day.

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 see 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.

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream"

- C.S. Lewis