July 2022 Vol. 2 Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®

GRAB YOUR SEAT FOR THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME! This bucket-list trip will take you along the Australian coast to explore the Great Barrier Reef, visit Australian dairy farms, walk the famous Bondi Beach, ride the Cairns Skyrail and so much more. With the perfect combination of agriculture and adventure, your experience in the “land down under” will be nothing short of amazing.   Traveling with PDPW means we take care of the details so you can direct your focus on the breathtaking experiences of this spectacular continent. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store:   Healesville Sanctuary: Koalas and kangaroos and echidnas, oh my! This bushland haven is teeming with iconic Australian wildlife in their natural habitat. AgVic Ellinbank Research Farm-National Centre for Dairy Research and Development: With a long history of generating research, the research farm is Australia’s leading dairy innovation facility, fast-tracking state-of-the-art technology solutions and showcasing them to the dairy world. Murray Gums Estate: Explore this winery and multi-award-winning olive grove plantation while enjoying one-of-a-kind wine and olive oil tastings. Great Barrier Reef: Dive in – literally – to one of the seven wonders of the natural world for an unforgettable day of marveling at the sites and snorkeling. You can also spend time exploring in a glass-bottom boat and a semi-sub tour. Top it off by lingering at the tropical buffet lunch overlooking the reef. Mungalli Dairy Farm: Surrounded by a world-heritage-listed rainforest, brothers Rob and Dan of Mungalli Dairy Farm will share their family's journey to biodynamic practices to maintain a healthy relationship between the soil, their animals, environment and people. Jaques Coffee Plantation: As a pioneer in the Australian commercial coffee-growing industry, learn how they have created a sustainable business with about 85,000 trees, 15 year-round staff and over 40 years of experience. The food and coffee drinks served at their café are just icing on the cake. Scenic World Railway Experience: Travel west to the World-Heritage and UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains to hop aboard the world's steepest railway. Buckle up and get ready for stunning views from what feels like the top of the world.   An optional extension for four days, Tasmania is also available; details on these stops are on our website.   All tour participants will depart from the Dallas/Fort Worth airport Saturday, March 18, and return either Saturday, April 1 (Australia-only attendees) or Tuesday, April 4 (Australia + Tasmania attendees). Registration includes roundtrip airfare, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, professional tour guides, group meals and tour/event admissions.   The cost for the international tour to Australia (March 18, 2023 - April 1, 2023) is $8,500 per traveler. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. The additional cost for the Australia + Tasmania international tour (March 18, 2023 - April 4, 2023) is $2,300 per traveler. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot.   Space is limited; call today to reserve your seat. Contact Julie Gabris at PDPW by calling 800.947.7379 or emailing [email protected].   To see the full itinerary and more details, click here.

Opportunities to learn

MAKING AN IMPACT IN YOUR COMMUNITY CAN START at an ACE (Agricultural Community Engagement®) Twilight Meeting. These free educational events bring together local leaders, elected officials and community members of all backgrounds. Scheduled for Aug. 29, 30, 31 and Sept. 1, as detailed below, each meeting starts with a dairy tour at 6 pm, followed by ice cream and facilitated discussion to share ideas for collaboration on issues such as water, conservation, transportation, road safety and more.   Monday, August 29 - Vernon County Wall-Stone Holsteins LLC S7414 Fortner Road DeSoto, WI 54624 Tuesday, August 30 - Buffalo County Bragger Family Dairy W89 Pape Valley Road Independence, WI 54747 Wednesday, August 31 - Clark County JTP Farms W1202 County Road A Dorchester, WI 54425 Thursday, September 1 - Dodge County McFarlandale Dairy LLC N302 County Road K Watertown, WI 53098   Brought to you in partnership with the Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Towns Association, Pheasants Forever Wisconsin and PDPW, and are open to the public. Bring a guest – and please RSVP in advance. Learn more here.

For your dairy

MONITORING MILK COMPONENT REPORTS CAN PROVIDE INSIGHTS on the health and nutritional status of your dairy herd, according to an article from Penn State Extension. Currently, typical milkfat and milk protein levels for Holsteins are greater than 3.7% and 3.0%, respectively. For Jerseys, typical milkfat is greater than 4.9%, and for milk protein, greater than 3.8%.   If the herd-milkfat test is below 0.3% of the breed average, it could indicate underlying problems even if production remains at normal levels in the short term. Animals could be experiencing subclinical acidosis, and the long-term effects can negatively impact milk production and trigger laminitis and other health problems. Addressing nutritional and feeding management strategies to avoid drops in milk volume and components will result in a positive return on investment. Learn more here.

QUALITY CALF CARE IN SUMMER STARTS WITH CARETAKERS. Summer heat can be difficult for everyone on the farm, including animals and those who care for them. Taking extra steps to help the calf-care team stay cool, hydrated and equipped with the resources they need will go a long way to keeping calves healthy during hot, sticky weather.   Take care of your team by: Providing a refrigerator to store drinks and snacks Providing extra breaks to avoid heat exhaustion Teaching team members to identify symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke Meeting with team members to review calf care protocols specific to hot weather   Learn more and find a checklist of summer calf care reminders in the full article from Michigan State Extension.

COW PERSONALITIES CAN IMPACT RESPONSE TO CONCENTRATE in automated milking systems (AMS), according to preliminary research published in the Journal of Dairy Science. Fifteen cows were studied over two 28-day periods with a common basal partial mixed ration (PMR), then two levels of concentrate allowance in the AMS. When on the H-AMS (high level) treatment, cows who were more “alert-curious” consumed more PMR, whereas cows who were more fearful of the novel human were less likely to receive the maximum amount of AMS concentrate available, limiting their total dry matter intake and increasing the day-to-day variability of DMI intake. Learn more in the full study.

For your business mind

GREAT TRANSITIONS DON’T JUST HAPPEN, they take respectful communications, integrated family dynamics, a focus beyond taxes, strategic coordination and execution. The July 19 episode of The Dairy Signal™ featured Tim Schaefer and Liz Griffith discussing how families can prepare for transition planning and overcoming common barriers to the important process. They noted that just like in a dairy farm operation, having the right people in the right roles is key to successful outcomes. Watch the episode to hear tips for effective transition planning, with a special focus on understanding priorities and goals of multiple generations.

ESCAPE THE LEADERSHIP “ECHO CHAMBER” by creating an environment where team members are comfortable providing feedback and sharing ideas. An article from Harvard Business Review provided recommendations, including: Demonstrate curiosity and listen Practice “yes, and” to acknowledge and build on ideas Speak last Seek different perspectives Walk the talk   Learn more about each of these and examples here.

WHEN IS GETTING THINGS DONE BETTER THAN GETTING THINGS PERFECT? While we strive for excellent work from ourselves and our team members, sometimes a tendency toward perfectionism can delay a project from being completed. If you drag your feet on starting a high-profile project until “just the right time,” an article from Fast Company suggests several steps to minimize stress while getting work done: Start today, even if it feels awkward Catch perfectionist habits early Focus on the work, not the feedback Hold yourself to every deadline   Read the full article to learn more.

The Dairy Signal

TUNE INTO THE DAIRY SIGNAL™. Join leading experts across dairy and agricultural industries, universities, and government and regulatory associations for insights on the most pressing issues in today’s marketplace. These 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.   Recently covered topics and presenters include: July 19 Hear about some of the most common obstacles in transition planning and the important steps to manage through them. Discover strategies to prepare family members for the planning process and learn what to look for in an advisor. Episode presenters will be: Liz Griffith, Market Development, Human Resource Consultant, Encore Consultants Tim Schaefer, CFP, Certified Family Business Advisor, Certified Professional Business Coach, Encore Consultants July 20 Learn about the DAIRI platform developed at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, including how producers can use the program to understand and benchmark key production numbers such as income over feed cost. Episode presenters will be: Dr. Andrew Bohnhoff, Director of Forage and Nutrition, Prairie Estates Genetics Dr. Austin Polebitski, PhD, Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UW-Platteville July 21 Whether helping with chores, playing outside or working a summer job, children from toddlers to teens often spend more time on the farm during the summer months. Learn how to prepare farms for having young children around and explore what distractions could lead children to unsafe situations and how to prevent them. Episode presenter will be: Melissa Ploeckelman, Outreach Specialist, National Farm Medicine Center at Marshfield Clinic Research Institute July 26 The 2022 corn crop moves forward despite less-than-optimal conditions. Tune in for a forecast of silage quality and recommendations for the upcoming chopping season. Alfalfa quality and its place in dairy rations will also be featured. Episode presenter will be: Dr. John Goeser, PhD, Director of Nutritional Research & Innovation at Rock River Lab, Inc., and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Dairy Science Department at University of Wisconsin-Madison July 27 Sponsored by Balchem, the July edition of “Rising Stars: Graduate Research Showcase” will highlight students from University of Idaho studying the effects of heat stress on hepatic and mammary epithelial cells, as well as the impact of wildfire-smoke inhalation on dairy calf health. Episode presenters will be: Adamarie S Márquez Acevedo, second-year master's student in Animal Physiology at the University of Idaho Alexandra Pace, master’s student at the University of Idaho Dr. Amy Skibiel, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Idaho July 28 Thanks to funding from the Dairy Innovation Hub, scientists have been studying the use of on-farm anaerobic digesters and improving air quality and odor management. Tune in to learn how using biochar reduces hydrogen sulfide in the process. Specific findings about manure storage coverings will also be shared. Episode presenter will be: Dr. Joseph Sanford, PhD, Assistant Professor in the School of Agriculture, UW-Platteville, and faculty researcher for the Dairy Innovation Hub

Dairy currents

FDA TO CONDUCT REVIEW OF HUMAN FOODS PROGRAM following stresses of COVID-19 pandemic and other issues that led to baby formula recall and shortage. The 60-day independent investigation will look into the structure, function, funding and leadership of the food regulatory and safety programs within the agency. The increasing diversity and complexity of the country’s food systems and supply chain has added stress to an already complicated chain of command and responsibilities. Learn more in the article from Food Dive.

MILK IS STILL TOP CHOICE FOR U.S. CONSUMERS. A recent poll commissioned by fairlife found that 77% percent of Americans prefer classic dairy milk over non-dairy alternatives and more than 70% have positive memories or nostalgia of drinking milk as a child. The study also found that 60% of respondents find milk to be a “great refreshing drink” during summertime heat. Learn more here.

YOGURT POPULARITY ON THE RISE after declining sales and demand before the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2022, the category showed an 8% increase in sales over the prior year, driven by more in-home snacking and awareness of the health benefits of yogurt. Lower-sugar and high-protein content yogurts, as well as new formats like drinkable yogurt, are also driving growth. Increasing consumer interest in gut health also provides an opportunity for the category. Read more in the Supermarket News article.

PDPW educational calendar

August 29, 30, 31 & September 1 ACE® Twilight Meetings DeSoto, Independence, Dorchester & Watertown, WI November 9-10 Financial Literacy for Dairy ®- Level 1 Juneau, WI October 18-19 Herdsperson Workshop TBD October 25-27 Calf Care Connection© TBD

March 14-15 Cornerstone Dairy Academy™ Wisconsin Dells, WI March 15-16 Business Conference Wisconsin Dells, WI March 18-April 1 International Tour Australia

Words to live by

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” - Maya Angelou

Thank you sponsors

Professional Dairy Producers 820 North Main St. Juneau, WI 53039 800-947-7379

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌