September 2023 Vol. 2

Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®

Explore California with PDPW

EXPERIENCE CALIFORNIA LIKE NEVER BEFORE WITH PDPW THIS FEBRUARY 11-17,2024. With the perfect mix of business and pleasure, PDPW will take the stress out of planning. All you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy. Highlights include:

• A day to enjoy and roam around World Ag Expo
• Wine-tasting and relaxation in Napa Valley
• A full day of beauty at Yosemite National Park
• Top-tier dairy farms
• More destinations to be released soon

Space is limited to the first 50 PDPW dairy farm members. A non-refundable deposit of $500/traveler is required to secure your spot.

Learn more and register here.

LEADING RESEARCHERS, PROGRESSIVE FARMERS AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOURS are all on tap for the 2023 Herdsperson Workshop events, set for Oct. 11 and 12 in Arlington, Wis., and Marshfield, Wis. All sessions will be simultaneously translated into Spanish. Maximize reproduction and transition cow care with presentations from Megan Lauber and Dr. Paul Fricke, Dr. Jerry Gaska, Dr. Usman Arshad and Dr. Heather White, and afternoon farm tours will apply the morning’s concepts and discoveries. 

Learn more and register here. 

GET CALVES OFF TO THE BEST START with the latest research and management practices presented at 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. Calf care managers, calf feeders and team members will learn about 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. 

Learn more and register here. 

Dairy Processor Tours

Oct. 26, 2023

Chilton, Wis.

TAKE AN INSIDE LOOK, LEAVE WITH A NEW PERSPECTIVE on the 2023 PDPW Dairy Processor Tour. Join fellow dairy producers to tour three innovative facilities: Henning’s Cheese, Lamers Dairy, and Agropur (Luxemburg, Wis.). See firsthand how the raw product is processed into the cheese, milk and dairy ingredients that consumers in Wisconsin and around the world enjoy. In addition, hear from the processor teams about their opportunities and challenges.

Learn more and register here.

MAKE PLANS TO TAKE YOUR FINANCES TO THE NEXT LEVEL with the 2023-24 Financial Literacy for Dairy program. The multi-level, multi-session financial development program is designed to provide dairy farmers, veterinarians, nutritionists, and other agribusiness professionals with a solid financial understanding and foundation. 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. 

SUCCESS IS NOT JUST ABOUT MANAGING COWS, it is about managing successful teams, too. English and Spanish speakers can build and sharpen their management skills at the 2023 Dairy Managers Institute. The program features three tiers of learning taught by experts Dr. Becky Stewart-Gross, Michael Hoffman, Dr. Kevin Bernhardt, and Linda Swindling. The two-day program will be held Dec. 12-13, 2023, at PDPW Headquarters in Juneau, Wis. 

Learn more and register here.

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. 

NEW RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FOOTBATH INSTALLATION AND USE based on research conducted at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine. The recommended footbath is 12 feet long and 24 inches wide, with a step-in height of 10 inches. If this size footbath is filled to the recommended 3.5 inches, it holds approximately 52 gallons of solution. UW Extension has released a new fact sheet with background on new research, as well as tips for location and retrofitting existing footbaths. 

Read more here. 

CAN ISOACIDS BOOST PRODUCTIVITY in dairy cows? An article from Michigan State University reviews research and recommendations on the use of isoacids as dietary supplements. Isoacids are naturally produced in the rumen through protein digestion and have been found to influence hormones associated with nutrient utilization for milk production. Studies have shown that incorporating isoacids into dairy cow diets may improve milk production performance, but it can take three weeks or more to see a measurable difference. 

Learn more in the full article.

AMINO ACID SUPPLEMENTS MAY BE NEEDED IN LOW PROTEIN RATIONS, according to a study published in the Journal of Dairy Science. Histidine is an essential amino acid for protein synthesis, and researchers found that supplementing it in the diets of cows fed reduced protein concentrations can help maintain and increase milk and milk protein production. Diets with reduced protein concentration have been introduced as part of efforts to lower environmental nitrogen pollution from leaching, run-off and ammonia volatilization, but can lead to lower milk production. 

Read more in this article and full study.

BE PREPARED FOR NEGOTIATIONS FOR SOLAR OPPORTUNITIES on farmland by doing homework first. Wisconsin is a favorable location for solar developers and can present profit opportunities for landowners, but any agreement should be reviewed carefully before signing. A key point is selecting a location for the solar array that meets the requirements of the developer, but also takes into consideration the productivity of the land, how the farming operation will be impacted, and how that land fits into future transition or expansion plans. Download the full fact sheet for key factors, terms and considerations to review. 

UNDERSTAND SECURITY FEATURES OF CLOUD STORAGE PROVIDERS to ensure that your data is protected. Cloud storage can be a reliable and secure solution for business and personal data, but can also raise concerns about privacy and protection. Key factors to consider when selecting a storage provider are:

• Data encryption
• Access controls and identity management
• Data redundancy and replication
• Regular auditing and monitoring

Learn more about each of these considerations here.

CELEBRATING BIG AND SMALL WINS IS IMPORTANT to building stronger teams and better communications in a workplace. A TLNT article highlights that recognition, appreciation and engagement are all part of celebrating wins. Recognition could be as simple as a positive comment in a conversation, a shout-out in a newsletter or a handwritten note. Celebrating wins together as a team can build a stronger community. Read more ideas for engaging with your team here. 

CONNECT WITH LEADERS, RESEARCHERS, INNOVATORS. The Dairy Signal® continues to bring a wide array of valuable information to the dairy industry. From leading experts across dairy and agricultural industries to researchers at universities and government agencies, The Dairy Signal brings insights and the opportunity to interact with the most timely topics in the industry. 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:

September 19

Dairy finances are commonly discussed in agriculture. Dive deeper into various aspects of retirement as well as circumstances in which there is potential to invest outside of the farm, including factors to consider in positioning one’s business for success down the road.

• Dr. Brady Brewer, PhD, assistant professor, Agricultural Economics Department, Purdue University

September 20

Tune in for a discussion on the top geopolitical developments in the world, including the Russia-Ukraine war, Chinese and European economic woes, and a new class of rising powers, along with possible impacts on global agricultural commodities, particularly dairy.

• Jacob Shapiro, partner and director of geopolitical analysis, Cognitive Investments

September 21

Join an interactive conversation about improving calf health and immune function with a focus on postnatal calf management and nutrition.

• Dr. Lautaro Rostoll Cangiano, Assistant Professor, Bovine Immunology, Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences, UW-Madison

September 26

This interactive discussion focuses on using transition milk in calf feeding programs, including how long to incorporate it and a review of potential side effects.

• Dr. Theresa Ollivett, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Large Animal), Assistant Professor, Food Animal Production Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine

September 27

Meet new leadership at National Milk Producers Federation and learn about priorities for the organization and initiatives that will impact the industry and dairy producers.

• Jim Mulhern, President & CEO, National Milk Producers Federation
• Gregg Doud, Chief Operating Officer, National Milk Producers Federation

September 28

As the third quarter of 2023 wraps up, tune in for an update on dairy markets, exports and industry news that will impact producers for the remainder of the year and the start of 2024.

• Ben Buckner, Chief Grains and Dairy Analyst at AgResource  

ADVICE TO LIMIT HIGH-FAT DAIRY FOODS IS CHALLENGED with recent research study of diets around the world. A study published in the European Heart Journal found that diets rich in fruits, vegetables, full-fat dairy, nuts, legumes and fish were linked to lower chances of cardiovascular disease and early mortality. Researchers noted that priority should be put on increasing “protective” foods like nuts, fish and dairy instead of focusing on lowering fat content. 

Read more here.

“SWICY” IS THE NEW TREND IN PROTEIN INNOVATION. The combination of sweet and spicy — termed “swicy” — has been used for centuries around the world and is being seen in both dining out and in-home food options today. Examples are the Honey Pepper Pimento sandwich at Chik-fil-A and a “sweet heat” limited-time menu at Outback Steakhouse. Sweetness helps tame capsaicin, the chemical compound in peppers that delivers heat and allows people to better taste the complexity of food’s flavors.

Read more in the article.

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

October 11, 12

Herdsperson Workshop

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