October 2023 Vol. 1

Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®

Explore California with PDPW

Feb. 11-17, 2024

California

TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF PANNING AND EXPERIENCE CALIFORNIA LIKE NEVER BEFORE in this week-long trip that combines business and pleasure. Highlights include visiting World Ag Expo, top-notch dairy farms, wine tasting in Napa Valley, discovering the breath-taking beauty of Yosemite and more. Space is limited to the first 50 PDPW dairy farm families, so don’t wait to register!



Learn more here.

GET CALVES OFF TO THE BEST START. REGISTER YOUR TEAM TODAY! Learn from leading experts in using data to optimize calf growth, the power of colostrum and making the most of a calf’s first day, then tour top-notch calf-raising operations to see the latest technologies and practices in action. All sessions will feature simultaneous Spanish translation. Don’t miss the 2023 Calf Care Connection workshops with three repeating programs on Oct. 17 in Arlington, Oct. 18 in Kewaunee, and Oct. 19 in Eau Claire.

Learn more and register here. 

Dairy Processor Tours

Oct. 26, 2023

Chilton, Wis.

CHEDDAR AND COLBY CHEESE, BOTTLED MILK, DAIRY INGREDIENTS represent critical sectors of the dairy production and processing industry for local and global markets. Join your peers to go behind the scenes to see how each is made and gain insights into the opportunities and challenges that processors face in our ever-changing industry. The 2023 PDPW Dairy Processor Tour on Oct. 26 will pick and drop off in Chilton, Wis., and feature tours of Henning’s Cheese, Lamers Dairy, and Agropur (Luxemburg, Wis.). 

Learn more and register here.

START A NEW YEAR WITH A NEW LOOK AT YOUR DAIRY FINANCES by participating in the 2023-24 Financial Literacy for Dairy program. It has never been more important to understand the financials of every aspect of your operation. The multi-level, multi-session financial development program is designed to provide dairy farmers, veterinarians, nutritionists, and other agribusiness professionals a solid financial understanding and foundation and then stretch their thinking beyond current comfort zones. Level 1 sessions will kick off Nov. 8. Space is limited to 30 attendees per level, and pre-assessment is required to complete registration. 

Learn more here. 

TWO DAYS, THREE TIERS OF LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES are on tap at the 2023 Dairy Managers Institute. English and Spanish speakers can build and sharpen their management skills with sessions taught by Dr. Becky Stewart-Gross, Michael Hoffman, Dr. Kevin Bernhardt, and Linda Swindling. Each tier focuses on management skills, including practical strategies for leadership and change management, the art of coaching, and mastering financial and negotiation skills. Make plans now to attend this program on Dec. 12-13, 2023, at PDPW Headquarters in Juneau, Wis. 

Learn more and register here.

Managers Academy for Dairy Professionals®

Jan. 9-11, 2024

Baton Rouge, LA

WORLD CLASS INSTRUCTORS, BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS and professional networking opportunities are all in store for the 2024 Managers Academy, planned for Jan. 9-11 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Join dairy owners and managers, CEOs, and industry leaders for the executive-level professional development program with a focus on geopolitics, management tactics and business ethics, and the opportunity to learn from business leaders in local industries, including a crawfish farm, rice production, handcrafted baseball bats and pet nutrition. 

Learn more and register on our website. 

Cornerstone Dairy Academy®

March 12-13, 2024

Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

PLAN AHEAD, INVEST IN YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS by applying today for the 2024 PDPW Cornerstone Dairy Academy, set for March 12-13, 2024. The dynamic professional development training program features three training pillars, all designed to provide dairy producers and industry professionals with the tools to effectively communicate and more proficiently collaborate and lead others. Applications are due January 31, 2024.

Learn more and apply here. 

DAIRY ADVANCE CREDITS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE DAIRY SIGNAL. PDPW members know that continuing education is key to personal development and business success in today’s dairy industry. The Dairy Signal® educational webinars are now accredited through Dairy AdvanCE® (DACE), and dairy professionals can earn up to 0.5 DACE continuing education units (CEUs) for each episode by completing a brief online quiz after watching. 

Dairy AdvanCE is an online continuing education management tool for dairy farmers and other professionals that simplifies finding, tracking and managing CEUs. Click here to learn more. Farmers and students are eligible for a free subscription; allied industry professionals can subscribe for a one-time fee of $75.

THE ROLE OF TRANSITION MILK IN GETTING CALVES TO THE BEST START was the topic of a recent episode of The Dairy Signal featuring Dr. Theresa Olivett from UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Olivett reviewed current research on feeding strategies and associated outcomes, as well as providing a foundation of terminology around colostrum, transition milk, whole milk and more. Research has shown that feeding 6 quarts of transition milk per day for four days can impact intestinal development and growth, but transition milk feeding should happen in conjunction with already high levels of passive transfer, a sanitary environment and an appropriate nutrition program after the transition milk feeding period. Watch the Sept. 26 episode to learn more.  

SET YOUR OPERATION UP FOR SUCCESS WITH PRECISION DAIRY TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS before making the investment. An article from Penn State Extension outlines elements that should be in place to make the most of systems that will monitor cattle and deliver alerts:



• Delegate a person to enroll new cows and to monitor, replace and maintain the system
• Develop protocol with veterinarian and team for who will answer alerts and responses
• Ensure that technology and the changes it measures have been scientifically validated

Read the full article for more recommendations to ensure that technology delivers benefits to the cows, the team and the bottom line. 

COMPARING PROFITABILITY OF HOLSTEIN AND JERSEY BREEDS on three northcentral U.S. dairies was the focus of an article in JDS Communications. A comparative budget approach was used to assess economic factors that differed between the breeds on a per cow annual basis, using 2020 data from farm management software, on-farm evaluations, and producer interviews. Factors considered in the analysis included milk and component production, milk bonuses, ration prices, and dry matter (DM) intake. In a 2021 price scenario, Holstein cows ranged from $345 to $601 more profitable than Jersey cows on a per cow annual basis. While Jersey cows had an advantage in component concentration, Holstein cows produced 13% (± 4.7%) more fat and 22% (± 6.6%) more protein annually due to greater milk yield, accounting for most of the advantage. Read the full article to learn more, including a sensitivity analysis of factors that would make Jersey's profitability equal to Holstein's.

AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOIL CARBON FARMING INCREASE, it can be challenging to determine which program is the best fit for your farm and bottom line. An article from Janzen Ag Law shared five considerations before entering any contract:

1. How much does the soil carbon contract offer to pay per acre?
2. Does the expected revenue offset the “paperwork” burden required during the term?
3. Will the required changes to your farm have a significant short-term impact on yield?
4. Can the farmer exit the program before the end of the term?
5. Does the contract have an indemnity clause?



Learn more in the full article.

STAY CALM AND PRODUCTIVE DESPITE INCREASING DEMANDS by managing workload and mindset during the busiest of times. An article from Inc.com shares strategies, including reducing multitasking to focus on one project at a time without interruptions from smartphone and email alerts. Other strategies include:

• Schedule uncomfortable tasks when you are fresh and alert.
• Practice patience to listen before reacting out of emotion.
• Avoid extended internal battles with tough problems.
• Intentionally schedule at least one enjoyable activity every day.

Learn more here. 

CONNECT WITH EXPERTS, LEARN FROM PEERS. Three days a week, The Dairy Signal® connects you with leading experts across dairy and agricultural industries to researchers at universities and government agencies to bring updates on the trends and topics that will affect your dairy business. The 60-minute sessions air every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with recorded episodes available at www.pdpw.org. Click here to tune in to archived sessions.

Presenters and topics covered recently include:

October 3

October is Energy Awareness Month, so we kicked off the month with a discussion of ways to conserve energy and tips on conducting an energy audit for your farm, home or business.

• Joel Roltgen, CEM, Agribusiness Energy Advisor, Focus On Energy
• Kevin Weiler, Energy Advisor, Focus On Energy

October 4

Harvest brings long hours, many of which are spent inside a combine, tractor or truck cab. Learn stretches that can help prevent stiffness and injury during this important season.

• Morgan Ekovich, Owner & Head Trainer of Get Fit with ME LLC

October 5

Tune in for a conversation about fresh cow management with a focus on reducing the impact of hypocalcemia and ketosis.

• Dr. Luciano Caixeta, PhD, Associate Professor of Dairy Production Medicine, University of Minnesota

October 10

October is recognized as National Fire Prevention Month; a long-time fire department chief will lead an interactive discussion about best practices for fire prevention on farms of all sizes.

• Chief Gerald Minor, Pittsville Fire Department

October 11

Acting quickly is paramount immediately following critical accidents and medical emergencies. Learn about how to use common items to employ life-saving tactics when prompt action is of vital importance.

• Chris St. Pierre, Safety Instructor

October 12

As the weather cools and harvest begins its full swing, hear about what is driving ag and dairy markets today and discover which trends will have the most impact into 2024.

• Dan Basse, President, AgResource Company

RELATIONSHIPS WITH AGRISERVICE PROFESSIONALS CAN BE LIFE-SAVING when professionals are trained to recognize and respond to depression, chronic stress or other mental health challenges that could lead to physical challenges or suicide. While farmers are often less likely to seek the services of a therapist or counselor, they will continue to work with professionals and consultants such as veterinarians, accountants, brokers, nutritionists and more. An article from Michigan State Extension outlines signs of distress including:



• Sudden generosity and giving away prized possessions.
• Mood changes
• Feelings of hopelessness

Learn more and find resources for professionals and families here. 

CLEAN, SANITIZED FOOTWEAR HELPS ACHIEVE BIOSECURITY GOALS on dairies of all sizes. To minimize the spread of microbes, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, the footwear of employees and visitors should be cleaned and disinfected before entering and after being in contact with animal areas. Boot wash and disinfection stations at entrances and exits should include water, buckets, a brush, soap and disinfectant. Read the article from UW-Extension for details and best practices for stepping up biosecurity. 

COMPANIES FINDING SUCCESS WITH COMBINATION OF DAIRY AND ALCOHOL in ice cream, beverages and more. PROOF Hard Ice Cream infuses hard liquors such as bourbon and tequila as well as fortified wine into its handcrafted ice cream with flavors such as Bourbon Caramel, Bourbon Chocolate Cherry, Strawberry Moonshine, and more. Market Insights reports more than 900 new alcohol products with dairy ingredients have launched in the past five years around the globe, using a range of ingredients like lactose, permeate and upcycled whey, as well as milk, cream and milk powders. Learn more in the articles about ice cream and beverages from Dairy Foods. 

CLEAR THINKING: TURNING ORDINARY MOMENTS INTO EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS. Times of high pressure are when we should be thinking the most clearly, but that is often not the case. This book provides tools to recognize the moments that are critical and strategies for applying our best reasoning at the right times. Learn how to optimize decision making, gain a competitive advantage and live a more intentional life.

Learn more here.

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” – T.S. Eliot, author

October 17, 18, 19

Calf Care Connection®

October 26

Dairy Processor Tour

November 8-9

Financial Literacy for Dairy®- Level 1

Juneau, Wis.

December 13-14

Dairy Managers Institute®

Juneau, Wis.

February 11-17

Explore California Tour

March 12-13

Cornerstone Dairy Academy®

Wisconsin Dells, WI