May 2020 Vol. 2
Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization ®
LOOKING FOR TOP DAIRY INDUSTRY TALENT? An online resource from PDPW provides a great way to connect with students from universities and technical colleges who are seeking full- and part-time positions on dairies and in dairy-related occupations. Check out the PDPW talentCONNECT™ site to view experiences and skills of qualified individuals that may be the perfect fit for your organization.

If you are a student who would like to learn more about posting your information at talentCONNECT, contact PDPW at 800-947-7379 or email [email protected] . 
Dairy currents
CELEBRATE DELICIOUS during National Dairy Month this year with materials and resources from Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. The focus of this year’s campaign is telling farmers’ stories to help Wisconsin citizens connect with farmers and build trust. Click here to access a number of resources including mouth-watering recipes (Aged Cheddar Apple and Bacon Crostini! Mascarpone and Sharp Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese! String Cheese-Stuffed Crust Pizza! Aged Cheddar Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake!), as well as social-media content and suggestions, mobile resources and communications tools.
CONSUMER TRUST IN FOOD SYSTEM REMAINS HIGH during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey conducted by the International Food Information Council earlier this month. Consumers stocked up on pantry items and packaged food in March and April; while those sales have slowed, it’s expected the trend of purchasing packaged and frozen food will remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. About 43% of consumers report eating healthier now than before the pandemic. In addition, consumers have adopted a number of behaviors to feel safer while shopping, including wearing masks for in-store shopping, and more widespread use of online shopping and curbside delivery.

Click here to see the full survey results and here for a Food Dive article summarizing impact.
USDA RELEASES UPDATED RULES FOR PLANT BIOTECH SYSTEM . The SECURE (Sustainable, Ecological, Consistent, Uniform, Responsible, Efficient) rule is the first major overhaul since 1987, and is focused on removing duplicative and antiquated processes to streamline the process of reviewing and regulating technologies. One change in the rule states that if a company uses biotechnology to create a product with traits that could have been created by traditional plant breeding, it will no longer have to go through a USDA pre-market review. Click here for the USDA announcement of the final rule.
For your dairy
REDUCING HEAT STRESS BEFORE AND AFTER CALVING delivers a range of benefits. In a study published in the Journal of Dairy Science, researchers detailed results of both prenatal and postnatal heat-abatement strategies on the growth and productivity of calves. Prenatal heat-stress abatement improves weight gain, hematocrit levels in blood, and immunoglobulin transfer. Postnatal heat-stress abatement modulates thermoregulatory responses, feed intake, and calf health. Learn more here .
PDPW Prime Exhibitors are industry leading dairy companies and service providers.

In upcoming editions, we’ll highlight several exhibitors.

Thank you, PDPW Prime Exhibitors. We appreciate your continued support!

To view PDPW Prime, click here .
DIGITAL DERMATITIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON hoof-health challenges on dairies. It can also be one of the most straightforward to control, according to Dr. Gerard Cramer, DVM, DVSc, associate professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota. During a presentation at the 2020 PDPW Virtual Business Conference, Dr. Cramer explained that digital dermatitis is a lifelong infection. Once an animal is diagnosed, the goal is to manage and maintain the infection at the herd level.

He offered the following management tips:
  • Pay attention to heifers. If there are no cases of digital dermatitis pre-calving, most of them will stay free of it in the lactation following calving
  • In the treatment plan, aim to reduce pain as soon as possible
  • Responsibly use the appropriate products at the lowest possible dose
  • If cases begin to climb, increase foot bath use
  • Focus on maintaining clean, dry feet in the herd. Consider the timing of alley scrapers and make sure cows do not need to cross a swell of manure as they move. 
The Dairy Signal
STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE DAIRY SIGNAL. Join industry leaders every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as experts share updates on the latest news and trends, as well as strategies to manage during challenging times. The next several episodes will air June 2, 3, and 4; and June 9, 10, and 11. To view live episodes as they air, click here at noon Central Time on the corresponding day.

Recorded versions of every episode of The Dairy Signal™ are available for free here . Archived recordings are available in English and Spanish (via La Señal Lechera™).

Coming up next week:
Tuesday, June 2
What details do you need to provide to your lender and what do producers need to know about the banking world. 
  • Sam Miller, Managing Director, Head of Agriculture, BMO Harris Bank
  • Steve Schwoerer, Senior Dairy Lending Specialist, Compeer Financial

Wednesday, June 3
Learn how consumer buying habits have shifted during these uncharted times and what future trends could look like .
  • Charlie Arnot, CEO of The Center for Food Integrity

Thursday, June 4
Hear how the COVID-19 situation has impacted the environment and how the industry is responding. 
  • Dr. Frank Mitloehner, Ph.D., Professor and Air Quality Extension Specialist with the Department of Animal Science at University of California, Davis

Presenters and topics covered in the last couple weeks include:
Updates on the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and the USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box program.
  • Jim Mulhern, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation

Perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on dairy farming around the world and how other countries and regions are being impacted.
  • Mary Ledman, Global Dairy Strategist, Rabobank

Details and timelines for the Wisconsin CFAP programs and signups. (Visit the Coronavirus Food Assistance web site for details on payment rates, eligibility, and records needed for application.)
  • Sandy Chalmers, State Executive Director, USDA Wisconsin Farm Service Agency
  • Tom Brandt, Farm Loan Chief, Wisconsin Farm Service Agency

Dairy producer scenarios that maximize net profit.
  • Victor Cabrera, Ph.D., Professor and Extension Specialist in Dairy Management, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Tim Swenson, Senior Business Consultant, Compeer Financial

Updates on what DMI is doing to increase demand for dairy-product consumption.
  • Barbara O’Brien, president of Dairy Management, Inc

Latest update on economic trends, ongoing global impact and how re-opening some parts of the industry is affecting the overall economy.
  • Economist Dan Basse, AgResource Company

The Dairy Signal is a resource intended for everyone in the dairy community. If you have suggestions for future programs and/or presenters, email [email protected] . 
For your business mind
OSHA HAS RESUMED REQUIREMENTS FOR COVID-19 ILLNESS REPORTING after relaxing reporting rules earlier in the pandemic. As of May 26, employers must record all COVID-19 incidences if the case:
  • Meets the definition established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
  • Is work-related
  • Involves one or more of the general recording criteria under the Occupational Safety and Health Act

To determine whether a COVID-19 illness is work-related or not, review guidance provided by OSHA here , and a summary from Ruder Ware law firm here .
MOVING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE WITH COMPLIMENTS. During a presentation at the 2020 PDPW Virtual Business Conference, keynote speaker Michael Hoffman shared that providing feedback and reinforcing good work by saying “Thank you” or “I appreciate that” is key for employees to build confidence and repeat positive performance. If providing positive feedback and giving compliments is not something that comes easy to you, he recommends the following tips:
  • Think of giving compliments as a skill to practice. Be specific by saying “I really appreciate that you checked on that sick calf one more time … went out of your way to help your team members … arrived ten minutes early today … "
  • Focus on broadening your observation skills
  • Recognize that a compliment has nothing to do with your feelings; it’s about telling an employee what he or she needs to hear
  • If giving compliments is new to your management style, you might get push back or surprise at the beginning – but don’t stop
HOW DO SOME PEOPLE ALWAYS BOUNCE BACK even from the most challenging circumstances? Managing through a crisis can be difficult. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to cope during bad times and accomplish critical tasks, including:
  • Understand what you can control and what you can’t; then focus on actions you can take to make your situation better
  • Surround yourself with positive people. Even if you’d rather be alone, engaging with other people provides an outlet and way to connect with those who’ve had similar experiences.
  • Look for easy wins … find something you can complete quickly and successfully
  • Give others the benefit of the doubt

Read more in the full article .
Throwback thought
ALWAYS SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR. This time of year, we don’t commonly have Thanksgiving or the Christmas holiday season on our minds. Still, there’s value in focusing on the blessings in our lives no matter the season, especially during times of instability. Take a few minutes to listen to this PDPW Podcast from earlier this year for Hank Wagner’s thoughts on the importance of gratitude.
Quote
“A life without cause is a life without effect.”
~Barbarella
Thank you sponsors
Professional Dairy Producers
820 North Main St.
Juneau, WI 53039
800-947-7379