PDP Manager's Memo

January 2026 Vol. 3

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

The Dairy Signal^®

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

Jan. 20 - Impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on Dairy

We’ve heard a lot about the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that was passed in Washington. Join this interactive conversation that digs into the legislation and elements that can impact the dairy industry and your business.

Kevin Block, CPA, Partner, MBE CPAs

Jan. 22 - Master Accountability, Master Your Goals

Tune in for a discussion on building accountability into your goal setting process to ensure that you accomplish your health and wellness goals without feeling overwhelmed and going off course.

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

Access Now

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

Previously on The Dairy Signal

Jan. 13

As we begin 2026, tune in for an outlook for dairy markets and policies for the first quarter and what dairy producers should be thinking about and doing to manage through volatile times.

Leonard Polzin, Dairy Markets and Policy Outreach Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Extension

Jan. 15

Sharpen your skills and reinforce vaccination and treatment protocols that support healthier, less stressed calves.

Dr. Ryan Breuer, DVM, Clinical Assistant Professor of Large Animal Internal Medicine, UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine and Diagnostic Case & Outreach Coordinator, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Opportunities to Learn

2026 BUSINESS CONFERENCE

March 4-5, 2026

Madison, Wis.

SHAPE THE FUTURE OF YOUR BUSINESS. Make plans now to join us in Madison March 4-5. Dairy leaders, innovators and partners will be sharing the ideas that will tomorrow’s breakthroughs in a fun and energizing atmosphere.

There’s no other place in the dairy world to access this wealth of practical resources, innovative solutions and visionary leadership. If you want to make the most of what lies ahead in 2026, this is where you belong.

2026 Flyer

Learn More and Register

Dairy Currents

U.S. HIT AN ALL TIME HIGH FOR BUTTER CONSUMPTION in 2024 at 6.8 pounds per person. Yogurt, cottage cheese and ice cream also rose, while overall cheese sales remained flat and milk consumption dipped slightly. Over 10 years, per-capita butter consumption has risen 21%, while cheese consumption is up 13%, and yogurt consumption is up 58% over 20 years. Read more.

AMERICANS ARE TAKING A MORE CRITICAL LOOK at their health, according to IFIC’s latest Food & Health Survey. While Americans grade their personal diets as a B-, only 49% rated their health as excellent or very good, continuing a downward trend. Rising stress, financial pressures and changing wellness goals are reshaping how people think about nutrition and self-care. Read more.

Your Farm - Your Footprint®

PROTECT YOUR MARKET AND YOUR FUTURE

As market pressures change, stay ahead of the curve by learning how sustainability data is collected and see where your farm stands.

Here's what participating in Your Farm - Your Footprint looks like:

Upload data on nutrient management, crop yields, herd stats and electricity/water use
A third-party team runs the three recognized models
PDP’s grant funding pays for it
You receive your footprint score. Only you see it, and you control your data.

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

For Your Business Mind

MAKE FEED EFFICIENCY A “NEED TO KNOW” METRIC by collecting accurate and relevant data, then actively using the results to guide management decisions such as adjusting rations, targeting forage use or tweaking cow management strategies. Accurate feed efficiency data depends on reliable measures of DMI, milk yield and milk components. UW-Extension reviews the metric, factors that shape feed efficiency and how to create a data action plan in a series of articles. Learn more.

STRONG LEADERSHIP ISN’T JUST ABOUT BEING IN CHARGE; it’s about knowing when to listen and follow. This Harvard Business Review article makes the case that the best leaders pay close attention to their teams, their customers and the information in front of them. They ask good questions, stay open to feedback and adjust when needed. Read the full article to learn more.

On the Road: Black & White by Brooks Farms

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting production limits were the turning point for sisters Zoey (Brooks) Nelson and Sydney (Brooks) Howard to launch a direct-to-consumer business from their sixth-generation dairy farm in Waupaca, Wis.

“We had been thinking about a cheese brand or other direct-to-consumer ideas for a while, but the reality of dumping a tankerload of milk each month sparked us into action,” said Zoey. Rather than see hard work literally go down the drain, they began working with Union Star cheesemakers on aged cheese products. At the same time, demand for direct-to-consumer beef spiked during the pandemic.

The Black and White by Brooks Farms brand highlights the sustainability of the Holstein cow as one of the few animals that produce food for its entire lifetime and contribute to the food supply at the end. They sell one, two and five-year-aged cheddars and Holstein beef along with gift boxes and holiday collections.

The Black & White on-farm storefront is open May through September, with products available at local retailers and through their website throughout the year.