PDP Manager's Memo

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

July 29 - Tile Drainage in Conservation Systems

Tune in for an interactive conversation about the latest research and strategies for tile drainage in conservation systems.

Laura Paletta, Agriculture Water Quality Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Extension
Izze McNamee, Agriculture Water Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension

July 31 - The Cost of Caring: Understanding and Combatting Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue can have serious impacts on physical and mental health. Learn how to recognize signs in yourself and others, how to prevent and manage the condition.

Monica McConkey, Rural Mental Health Counselor, Eyes on the Horizon Consulting

Access Now

Thank you to Dairy Management Inc. for their sponsorship of The Dairy Signal. Funded by America’s dairy farm families and dairy importers, the checkoff works to grow sales and build trust in dairy. Your dairy checkoff works through restaurant, retail and foodservice partners; youth outreach, research and product development and more. Connect and learn how we’re making every drop count at d airycheckoff.com.

Previously on The Dairy Signal

July 22

Unlock the potential of automated milking systems with strategies to boost voluntary cow participation. Explore the roles of nutrition, housing and behavior in maximizing efficiency. Presenter will be:

Dr. Trevor DeVries, Ph.D., Professor and Canada Research Chair, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph

July 24

Tune in for the latest news, trends and insights on agricultural and dairy markets that will impact the industry and your business. Panelists will be:

Ben Buckner, Chief Grains and Dairy Analyst, AgResource Company

Opportunities to Learn

NEW LEARNING, NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES ARE AHEAD with the 2025-26 program calendar from PDP. Check out the full range of hands-on, focused programming to ensure that everyone on your dairy team is future ready. Learn more.

2025 WISCONSIN FARM TECHNOLOGY TOURS

August 19, 20, 21

Casco, Waunakee, Markesan, Wis.

SEE AND DISCUSS INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON 2025 TOURS

Improvements to water quality, cow comfort, efficiency and productivity are all reasons to improve nutrient management systems on today's dairy farms.

The 2025 Wisconsin Farm Technology Tours will feature tours of three systems that are making a difference on farms and the opportunity to ask questions and learn from producers. Make plans to attend at all three locations, or choose the one that interests you the most.

Each tour starts promptly at its listed start time.

Tues., Aug. 19 - 1 to 3 p.m.

Dairy Dreams

Casco, Wis.

Wed., Aug. 20 - 1 to 3 p.m.

Endres Berryridge Farms

Waunkaee, Wis.

Thurs., Aug 21 - 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Double S Dairy

Markesan, Wis.

Learn more and register.

ACE® ON-THE-FARM TWILIGHT MEETINGS

August 25, 26, 27, 28

Durand, Tomah, Newton, Watertown, Wis.

Learn more and register.

PDP BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & ADVANCED FINANCE WORKSHOP

October 29-30, 2025

Sun Prairie, Wis.

Learn more and register.

MANAGERS ACADEMY FOR DAIRY PROFESSIONALS®

January 20-22, 2026

Puerto Rico

Learn more and register.

For Your Dairy Mind

HEAT STRESS CAN IMPACT DAIRY REPRODUCTION, including behavioral estrus, estrus detection, fertilization and early embryonic loss and twinning. An article from UW-Extension reviews research in each of these categories, offering recommendations for using estrus detection aids during the summer months, including paints, chalks, pressure-activated devices, pedometers and activity monitors. Heat abatement efforts should be implemented ahead of heat stress events to prevent damage to oocytes and early embryos. Learn more.

RESEARCH SHOWS DECREASED MILK PRODUCTION in cows with the H5N1 Avian Flu virus for at least 60 days beyond the clinical outbreak period, with clinically-affected cows at six times increased risk of death and 3.6 times increased risk of premature herd removal. Research published in Nature Communications found that $950 in economic losses due to decreased milk production, mortality and early removal from the herd for each cow clinically infected with the virus at a commercial herd in Ohio. The study showed milk losses of about 900 kg per cow in the 60 days post-outbreak. Read more.

Your Farm - Your Footprint

ADD A SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT TO YOUR TEAM.

On your farm, you rely on your nutritionist and agronomist to help keep things running smoothly. With Your Farm - Your Footprint (YF-YF), you can add a sustainability consultant to the team.

YF-YF is a hands-on program designed to help you measure, manage and improve your farm’s sustainability. From optimizing resource use to building a more sustainable future, YF-YF provides the tools and expertise you need.

Want to learn more? Visit the website or email croy@pdpw.org.

Dairy Currents

PROTEIN CONTINUES TO BE TOP PRIORITY for Americans, with a survey from the International Food Information Council showing that one in three has increased protein intake over the past year. However, 8 in 10 Americans say that they are unaware or unsure of the amount of protein they should consume daily. This uncertainty may be influenced by the fact that a friend or family member is the top source of information on protein (reported by 29% of respondents), outpacing conversations with a personal healthcare professional (25%) and/or registered dietitian (13%). Americans’ top three preferred sources of protein are animal-based: meat, eggs and seafood. Learn more.

ICE CREAM MAKERS PLEDGE TO PHASE OUT ARTIFICIAL DYES BY 2028. An announcement by the International Dairy Foods Association marked the first time an entire segment of the food sector committed to removing artificial colors from its products. Many commercial ice cream makers have already phased out certified artificial colors, and the association is convening a working group of ingredients suppliers and dairy companies to ensure an adequate supply of alternative ingredients for those still making the transition. U.S. dairy companies have pledged to remove artificial colors in milk, cheese and yogurt products sold to schools by July 2026. Read the full article from Food Dive.

Book Review

THE LET THEM THEORY

Author Mel Robbins introduces the “Let Them” theory to reshape how you think about relationships, control, and personal power. The book uses stories, research and expert insights to teach readers how to stop wasting energy on what you can't control and start focusing on what truly matters: you. Key areas of learning include breaking free from fear and self-doubt, building resilience against everyday stressors and distractions, and defining your own path to success, joy and fulfillment. Learn more.