March 2025 Vol. 1

Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®

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.

March 4 - Reignite Your Lackluster Culture

March 5 - Federal Milk Marketing Orders Results

March 6 - Market Update

Previously on The Dairy Signal

February 25

Tune in to learn about types of carbon credit contracts and what producers should be looking for and avoiding.

• Troy Schneider, Shareholder and Attorney, Menn Law Firm

February 26

A good night’s sleep is key to physical and mental health. Hear about ways to create beneficial sleep habits.

• Morgan Ekovich, Health and Nutrition Coach, Founder, Get Fit with ME

February 27

Join a discussion on group housing and young animal enrichment with a focus on the various housing approaches (pair, group or single).

• Dr. Jennifer Van Os, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist - Animal Welfare, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Carbon, Crops + Cows

March 25, Kewaunee, Wis.

March 26, Sun Prairie, Wis.

UNLOCK YOUR DAIRY'S SUSTAINABILITY POTENTIAL. Join us for an exclusive, farmer-focused program designed to give you the tools and knowledge to measure and manage your farm's sustainability metrics. Each one-day session will feature a farmer panel and experts on carbon markets, carbon intensity scores and practical steps to get and influence your sustainability numbers. Learn more and register.

2025 Business Conference Corner

See you next week!

Dairy's premier educational event is right around the corner and all the details are coming together so you can "Dial It In" for success in the year ahead.

Join us at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis., on March 12 and 13 for world class learning and networking opportunities and your entire team. Visit the 2025 Business Conference website or check out fliers in English and Spanish and register today. Walk-ins are welcome, too, but you'll save money by registering in advance.

Future of Success sessions for young leaders

Think quickly, speak wisely and leave a lasting impression. Students ages 15-18 can hone their communications skill and discover how small actions make a meaningful difference. Two sessions — at 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. and 3:45 to 5:00 p.m. on Day One — will be facilitated by Michael Hoffman, giving teens a fun and interactive way to build the skills and confidence they need to stand out and lead.

If you are a parent or teacher planning to attend conference, register your 15 to 18 year olds today so they can benefit from all the conference holds for them!

Students attending Future of Success sessions receive a discounted rate. Click here to register today!

Bold ideas and breakthrough technologies on the Nexus Stage

Learn about five game changing products and technologies on the 2025 Nexus stage.

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.

Wednesday, March 12 - Atrium Foyer-East

3:45-4:05 pm Digital Finance Platform from Bankbarn

4:10-4:30 pm CowManager Sort Gate from CowManager

4:35-4:55 pm Essential Water Solutions from Dairy Nutrient Reclamation

5:00-5:20 pm Lipidol Protect from Pathway Intermediates

5:25-5:45 pm Pedi View by Hoofcount from Quadra Step Hoof Care

Thursday, March 13 - Atrium Foyer-East

8:30-8:50 am Digital Finance Platform from Bankbarn

8:55-9:15 am CowManager Sort Gate from CowManager

9:20-9:40 am Essential Water Solutions from Dairy Nutrient Reclamation

9:45-10:05 am Lipidol Protect from Pathway Intermediates

10:10-10:30 am Pedi View by Hoofcount from Quadra Step Hoof Care

Experience the all-new Hall of Ideas!

A new experience awaits attendees at the 2025 Hall of Ideas and Equipment Trade Show at the 2025 Business Conference. We've heard your feedback for more spaces for networking and conversations, and have expanded the show with more than 150 booths in addition to Nexus exhibitors.

The Hall of Ideas will feature the industry's leading suppliers and vendors as well as activities throughout the conference.

Groundbreaking research and innovative insights

• Three learning lounges with a dozen sessions
• Research poster display from students and faculty through Wisconsin's Dairy Innovation Hub
• Preview Stage with four presentations from leading researchers and students at Michigan State University and University of Wisconsin system
• Nexus Stage with presentation and Q&A sessions about the newest dairy technologies

Food, drinks, music and more at Evening on the Square

Beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the Hall of Ideas will take on a vibrant flair reminiscent of Madison's Capital Square. Enjoy a variety of food and beverage options stationed throughout the hall along with live musicians, games and fun. Don't miss a cheese pairing display featuring Wisconsin's best cheeses and presentations on how to pair with your favorite food and beverages.

Meet the next generation of dairy team members

The first ever TalentCONNECT® Reverse Career Fair will turn the traditional career fair on its head, giving 15 students a chance to display their skills and experiences with leading dairy farms and producers. Look for student displays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, then meet the students at the Career Fair from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m.

Don't miss out on silent and live auctions!

There are several ways to support Dairy's Foundation and its work to strengthen the future of our dairy industry.

The silent auction featuring dozens of unique items and packages is underway. Visit the auction website to view and bid on travel experiences, cheese baskets and creamery tours, original artwork, Charlie Behrens tickets, jewelry, dairy product packages and much, much more! Bidding will remain open through the Business Conference.

A live auction will be held in the Hall of Ideas at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Enjoy food, drinks and Evening on the Square festivities and stop by to bid on some exciting packages!

The annual Plant a Seed, Inspire a Dream campaign is underway, with a friendly competition between two teams of dairy producers and allied industry professionals to raise the most funds. Stop by to support the Moo-lah Makers (representing Dairy’s Foundation Board) and Udderly Unstoppable (representing PDP Board), with all proceeds going to programs that nurture the next generation of dairy leaders, develop the skills of current dairy producers and strengthen the bond of trust between consumers and producers. Donations can also be made on the Foundation website.

For Your Dairy

COWS & ROBOTS: MOTIVATING VOLUNTARY MILKING. Dr. Trevor DeVries, PhD, professor and Canada research chair, department of animal biosciences, University of Guelph, will share strategies to boost voluntary cow participation in automated milking systems, including the roles of nutrition, housing and behavior to maximize efficiency. (Day One, Green Learning Lounge, 10:10 a.m.)

TRANSITION COW TRIUMPH: AVOIDING STRESS TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS. The transition period is critical and riddled with challenge. Dr. DeVries will discuss managing nutrition, housing and stress to maximize performance in your herd and provide actionable tips to tackle inflammation, intake issues and behavior challenges. (Day One, Morning Specialty Session)

For Your Business Mind

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TEAM WITH THE EISENHOWER MATRIX. Maximize productivity with tools designed to help you prioritize and delegate. Wesley Tucker, farm and ranch extension specialist, University of Missouri Extension, will delve into the Eisenhower matrix to share labor management strategies that can help your team balance urgent tasks and long-term goals. (Day Two, Afternoon Specialty Session)

AG-TECH ROI: KNOW WHEN IT'S WORTH IT. Ag technology promises big returns, but how do you make it work for your operation? Dr. Brady Brewer, PhD, associate professor, department of agricultural economics at Kansas State University, breaks down proven strategies to identify the best tech investments and maximize your bottom line. (Day One, Blue Learning Lounge, 3:00 p.m.)

DO FARMERS ACTUALLY OWN AND CONTROL ELECTRONIC DATA PROVIDED TO SUPPLIERS THROUGH SMART DEVICES? Bill Oemichen, JD, professor of practice law and local government law educator, UW-Madison Extension, will explore who really owns and controls on-farm electronic data collected by farm suppliers through smart devices. (Day Two, Blue Learning Lounge, 11:40 a.m.)

Dairy Currents

SUCCESS STORIES FROM YOUR FARM - YOUR FOOTPRINT. Learn from dairy producers who have been tracking carbon emissions to make impactful changes on their farms. Wisconsin producers Paul Lippert and David Trimner are joined by Carson Dugger, lead agronomist at Eocene Environmental Group, to share how data analysis drives innovation and sustainability. (Day Two Afternoon Specialty Session)

LABOR TRAFFICKING: RECOGNIZE AND PREVENT IT. Mariana Rodriguez, director, Latina Resource Center, UMOS, Inc., will share how to identify and prevent human and labor tracking in agriculture, including key warning signs and steps to protect your business and workers. (Day Two, Red Learning Lounge, 11:40 a.m.)

2025 General Sessions

General sessions at the 2025 Business Conference will bring together leading experts to help dairy producers navigate challenges and capture opportunities in today's fast-paced marketplace. And, don't miss an exciting new announcement for the second phase of the Your Farm - Your Footprint (YFYF) program at the conference.

THE THREE-HEADED BEAST: GEOPOLITICS, MARKETS AND WEATHER

Dan Basse, president of AgResource Company; Jacob Shapiro, partner and director of geopolitical analysis for Cognitive Investments; and Eric Snodgrass, principal atmospheric scientist for Conduit; will provide an expert look at what's behind the forces shaping agriculture and discover strategies to adapt and thrive in an unpredictable world. (Day One, 12:00 p.m.)

DAIRY IS THE ANSWER: ARE YOU READY FOR THE QUESTION?

Panelists Dr. Jason Clay, PhD, senior vice president, markets and executive director, Markets Institute with World Wildlife Fund; Emily Johannes, director of sustainability & recycling at Nestlé USA; Ryan Scott, senior sustainable sourcing specialist, Nestlé; Alisha Staggs, director of the dairy program for The Nature Conservancy's North America Agriculture Program; and facilitated by Kevin Ogorzalek, co-owner of Concord Agriculture Partners, will share how global food companies are working to achieve their individual sustainability pledges. This can't-miss session will highlight how these efforts impact the supply chain and what dairy farmers can do to stay ahead. (Day Two, 12:30 p.m.)

PDP Podcast Weekly

Focus on what you can control

There are a lot of events happening today that we have no control over, but we can control our response. Tom Thibodeau is back with stories and tips on why it's important to focus on what we can control in our lives. 

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 feed and feed additive 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.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more and become more, you are a leader."

- John Quincy Adams

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