PDPW Manager's Memo

November 2022 Vol. 1

Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®

Opportunities to learn

NEXUS™

Application Deadline: January 16, 2023

Applications are being accepted for innovators to showcase their cutting-edge technologies on the Nexus™ stage at the 2023 PDPW Business Conference. Scheduled for March 15-16, 2023, at the Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells, five finalists will be chosen to receive 15 minutes of stage time in the presence of the industry’s most forward-thinking dairy farmers. Attendees will have five minutes to engage in Q&A with the presenters for more details.

Application deadline is January 16, 2023.

Click here for the application and more details, including a complete list of finalist rewards.

Dairy Insights Summit

November 29, 2022

Madison, Wis.

2022 DAIRY INSIGHTS SUMMIT IS THE MUST-ATTEND EVENT to learn from global experts and engage in open discussions with dairy farmers, cheesemakers, educators, policymakers, regulators, industry professionals and other leaders to find solutions. Join us on Nov. 29 in Madison, Wis., to hear from economists Dan Basse and Jacob Shapiro, Tamas Houlihan from Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, groundwater scientists Dr. Maureen Muldoon, PhD, and Brian Richter, and FBI special agents Byron Franz and Scott Mahloch. Topics will include global politics and evolving markets, the labor and water challenges of the Wisconsin potato industry, groundwater quality and water shortages and protecting our food supply. Learn more and register here.

Dairy Managers Institute

Dec. 20-21, 2022

Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

THREE TIERS OF WORLD-CLASS TRAINING FOR ALL DAIRY TEAM MANAGERS are on tap at the 2022 PDPW Dairy Managers Institute® set for Dec. 20-21 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Program facilitators Dr. Becky Stewart-Gross, PhD, Michael Hoffman, Dr. Kevin Bernhardt, PhD, and Linda Swindling will equip today’s managers with the skillsets they need to be effective team leaders. Topics include leading and managing with insight, discovering the art of coaching, and mastering financials and negotiation. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided for tiers one and two. Learn more and register here.

Managers Academy for Dairy Professionals

March 14-15, 2023

Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND 2023 PDPW MANAGERS ACADEMY in Savannah, Georgia, Jan. 10-12, 2023. The three-day executive-level training and networking program will focus on building resilience in our changing world and positioning one’s business to innovate, advance and prosper. Classroom training, networking opportunities and executive-level tours make this a can’t-miss program for dairy owners and managers, CEOs, industry directors, processors, marketers and distributors.

Act soon! The PDPW hotel block closes on Dec. 12. Learn more and register here.

Cornerstone Dairy Academy

March 14-15, 2023

Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

APPLY NOW TO CORNERSTONE DAIRY ACADEMY. Applications are being accepted now for the 2023 program. Scheduled for March 14 and 15, 2023 in conjunction with the PDPW Business Conference at Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells, Wis, this three-pillar professional-development program equips dairy professionals with the tools to communicate, collaborate and lead more effectively. View the flier here to learn more about the topics explored in each pillar and the presenters who will work alongside and interact with attendees. For more details and to apply before the January 31 deadline, click here.

For your dairy

COLOSTRUM FEEDINGS MAY SPEED THE TREATMENT of diarrhea in young calves, according to research published in the Journal of Dairy Science. At the onset of diarrhea, calves were assigned to a control group or received treatments that included feeding spray-dried maternally derived bovine colostrum replacer. Researchers found that calves in a long-term supplementation group (over 8 days) had faster resolution of diarrhea and increased growth levels compared with calves in the control group. Future studies are necessary to determine the most practical and effective dose and duration of the therapy. Learn more in the full study.

PREVENTING UDDER EDEMA results in long-term animal health and production benefits, according to an article from Penn State Extension. Udder edema is a build-up of lymphatic fluid in and around the interstitial spaces of the udder that is most common immediately before or after calving in high-producing dairy cows, especially in first-calf heifers. This non-contagious metabolic disorder often resolves within a week after calving, however, it can lead to mastitis or other issues. Steps to prevent udder edema include:

Provide a separate diet for late-gestation heifers to monitor their anionic salt intake
Include antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, carotenoids and flavonoids in the ration
Select for bulls that are shown to improve udder cleft, udder depth and udder balance
Manage body condition; the goal is to maintain body condition in the dry period
Aim for age at first calving of 22 to 24 months

Learn more here.

INCREASING AMOUNTS OF DATA CAN HELP MAKE DECISIONS and track performance on dairy farms. However, Paul Fricke, PhD, UW-Madison, encourages dairies to also keep in mind the randomness of reproductive data on their farms. Measuring reproductive outcomes is challenging and trying to find patterns in small data sets like a few weekly herd checks can be misleading. Instead, focus on mathematical principles and look for long-term patterns over time for more accurate information. Read more in the full article.

For your business mind

THE MOST VALUABLE ASSET TO INVEST IN IS YOURSELF, said famous investor Warren Buffett in an Inc.com article. Known as the "Oracle of Omaha," Buffett is quoted as saying the best thing a person can do is invest in their personal knowledge base; in anything that improves their talents.

As the calendar year winds down, consider these ideas to make investments in yourself:

Improve your well-being, including mental, physical and spiritual health
Feed your mind, through reading, attending conferences or courses, listening to podcasts, or seeking conversations with mentors
Start – or continue – doing what you love to do

Read more about each of these areas in the article.

CREATE A CULTURE OF GRATITUDE to reduce stress during the holidays and all year long. An article from mental health specialists at the South Dakota State University Extension suggests people start by focusing on themselves; being mindful of times they feel overwhelmed and in need of a break. Recognizing your own needs enables you to better help and show appreciation to those on your team. Showing gratitude to co-workers can include offering assistance when someone is stressed, thanking them for a job well done and showing interest in areas outside of work. Reflecting with gratitude on the year’s accomplishments can provide much-needed perspective during a busy holiday season.

Read more here.

The Dairy Signal

KEEP TUNING IN TO THE DAIRY SIGNAL. If you haven’t made a habit of it yet, now’s a great time to take advantage of the valuable information available to listeners of The Dairy Signal™. The three-times-weekly program continues to bring together leading experts across dairy and agricultural industries, universities, and government and regulatory associations for insights on the most pressing issues in today’s marketplace. The 60-minute sessions air every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with recorded episodes available for free at pdpw.org. Click here to find archived recordings of sessions.

Presenters and topics covered recently include:

November 1

Effective reproductive programs are a must for dairy farms to be successful. Tune in for the latest research and recommendations for reproductive protocols and procedures.

Dr. Paul Fricke, PhD, Dairy Reproduction Specialist, UW-Madison

November 2

Staying on top of policy and regulatory developments can be challenging; an update from National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) leaders shared news regarding the FARM Animal Care Program and more.

Emily Yeiser Stepp, Vice President, The National Dairy FARM Program, NMPF
Miquela Hanselman, Manager, Regulatory Affairs, NMPF

November 3

Planning begins now for the 2023 growing season; this discussion shares tips on selecting the right seed corn for your farm and fields. The conversation considers disease tolerance, yield potential and consistency, soil type and more.

Chad Staudinger, Regional Sales Manager, Dairyland Seed Co., Inc.

November 8

Is chocolate really good for you? Do carbohydrates cause weight gain? Does walking to the barn count as exercise? Get to the bottom of these health and diet questions and many more in this entertaining and enlightening “Fact or Fiction” edition.

Amy Mydral Miller, MS, RDN, FAND, Founder and President of Farmer’s Daughter Consulting
Jenna Gibbs, Director of Operations, Ag Health and Safety Alliance; Personal Trainer, University of Iowa

November 9

Tune in for the latest research, technologies and management practices for using footbaths on today’s dairy farms. The discussion highlights managing the practical challenges and novel ways to measure footbath effectiveness.

Dr. Laura Solano, PhD, DVM, Dairy Cattle Comfort and Welfare Expert, Lactanet, Canada

November 10

As 2022 winds down, take a look at the potential market, weather and export news that will impact dairy and commodity pricing for the rest of the year. Ben Buckner will also share an overview of what to expect in 2023.

Ben Buckner, Chief Grains and Dairy Analyst at AgResource Company

Dairy currents

RESPONSIBLE ANTIBIOTIC-USE LABELS COULD BE A MARKET OPPORTUNITY for dairy producers, as long as it is at the right price point compared to conventional milk. Research published in the Journal of Dairy Science showed that consumers strongly preferred the RAU-labeled milk over the unlabeled milk option. And while they weren’t willing to pay a significant premium, researchers said a new label could encourage farmers to minimize antibiotic use to meet demand. Read more here.

PLAN AHEAD FOR WORKING IN COLD WEATHER. Before the snow flies and temperatures drop to winter levels, take time to prepare your team and facilities for working in the coldest months. Items for your winter checklist include:

Are roads and bodies of water marked by bright signs or fences tall enough to be visible during times of thick snow cover?
Is sand, litter or de-icer conveniently available for use in slippery areas?
Are heating and ventilation systems well-maintained and in working order?
Have employees been trained about working in pairs and wearing appropriate clothing for cold temperatures?

Learn more and see the full checklist here.

A SHIFT IN DEMAND FOR PROTEIN AND FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION is driving opportunities for dairy products. Dairy processors are developing innovative dairy products to deliver wellness benefits such as fortifying Greek yogurt, spoonable and drinkable yogurts, as well as new low-sugar, high-protein and high-fiber frozen treats. Read the Dairy Foods article to learn about a number of ways processors are incorporating dairy into products that athletes and non-athletes alike use to power them through the day.

Book review

THE SPEED OF TRUST: THE ONE THING THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING. This top seller from Stephen M.R. Covey calls ‘trust’ the single most critical component of a successful leader and organization and shares ideas on how to intentionally establish trust with co-workers, employees, clients and more. Trust is key because work gets done with and through people, so strong relationships can help ensure deals are made, transactions are completed and projects are launched faster and more effectively. Learn more here.