PDPW Manager's Memo

January 2023 Vol. 1

Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®

Opportunities to learn

NEXUS®

Application Deadline: January 16, 2023

DAIRY INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY WILL STAR ON THE NEXUS STAGE, and there’s still time to apply for your chance to showcase the next big idea for dairy during the 2023 PDPW Business Conference on March 15-16, 2023. Five finalists will receive 15 minutes of stage time and have five minutes to engage in Q&A with farmers. Learn more here and apply today to introduce your product or idea and receive valuable feedback from forward-thinking farmers at dairy’s premier educational event — application deadline is January 16, 2023.

Cornerstone Dairy Academy®

March 14-15, 2023

Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

THREE PILLARS OF LEADERSHIP TRAINING ON TAP at the 2023 Cornerstone Dairy Academy® held in conjunction with the PDPW Business Conference at Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. The application-based program provides training to sharpen and build on three core leadership styles for today’s dairy producers and industry professionals. Facilitators include Holly Green, Rachel Wagner, Hank Wagner, Dr. David Kohl, Dr. Richard Kyte and Tom Thibodeau. Applications are being accepted now for the March 14-15, 20223, program.

View the flier here to learn more about the topics explored in each pillar. For more details and to apply before the January 31 deadline, click here.

PDPW Business Conference

March 15-16, 2023

Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

CHECK OUT WHAT’S IN STORE AT THE 2023 BUSINESS CONFERENCE! The full schedule is now available! Make plans to invest in yourself, your team and your business by attending the two-day event on March 15-16, 2023, at the Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. A full slate of inspiring keynote speakers, impactful breakouts, specialty and hands-on sessions, as well as youth sessions, Nexus® stage presentations and the Hall of Ideas will provide opportunities to learn, connect and recharge for the year ahead. Download the 2023 Business Conference flier here.

PDPW CARBON CONFERENCE

January 31, 2023

Madison, Wis.

UNDERSTAND THE INS, OUTS AND OPPORTUNITIES of the carbon marketplace for your farm by attending the 2023 PDPW Carbon Conference. Conference sessions are designed specifically to answer the questions that today’s producers are asking as they review options for their farms, including the financial implications and how carbon programs fit into existing business plans and future goals. A key focus will be understanding how one’s carbon footprint is calculated to give dairy producers their baseline number and evaluate how various practices will impact their farm’s footprint and finances. Learn more and register here; download the program flier here.

DAIRY WELLBEING WORKSHOP

February 21 and 22, 2023

Green Bay, Wis.

FIND A PATH TO BETTER PAIN MANAGEMENT for animals at every stage of their life cycle at the 2023 PDPW Dairy Wellbeing Workshop. Two repeating one-day programs will be held on Feb. 21 and 22 at Tundra Lodge Resort Waterpark and Conference Center in Green Bay, Wis. Attendees will learn how to assess animal welfare to make ethical decisions about animal care, understand and identify painful events throughout a cow’s life and see firsthand how on-farm decisions impact cull-cow quality on a tour of American Foods Group. Learn more and register here; download the program flier here.

For your dairy

DRY, CLEAN CALF BEDDING SHOULD BE TOP PRIORITY as winter stretches on in many parts of the country. Young calves spend most of their time lying down, and a clean, dry surface ensures their hair coat can insulate them against cold ground and air temperatures. A Heifer Blueprint publication from UW Extension provides checklists and photos for the entire calf care team, including the “knee test” for bedding comfort and cleanliness and ensuring there is enough bedding that calves’ legs are not visible. Read more and download the publication here.

OPTIMIZING SOCIAL HOUSING FOR CALVES. Research has shown that social housing environment can improve social skills, bonding and cognition, increase solid food intake and growth. In a recent episode of The Dairy Signal®, Dr. Trevor DeVries, PhD, professor and Canada Research Chair in Dairy Cattle Behaviour and Welfare University of Guelph, reviewed research about the impact of social housing on behavior and growth of calves. He also highlighted the management factors that can reduce disease risk in social-housing situations. Key elements for maintaining calf health include all in/all out management systems, regular maintenance and cleaning of autofeeders, dry bedding and good ventilation, maintaining group size to less than 8 to 10 calves per pen, increasing space allowance, and separating calf housing from older animals. Watch the Jan. 10 episode of The Dairy Signal to learn more.

CORRECT USE OF ESOPHAGEAL TUBES IS KEY to young calf nutrition and health in key situations such as ensuring colostrum consumption, providing milk when calves are unable to suck from a nipple and providing electrolytes to sick calves. Start with a clean, sanitized tube that is in good condition and free from nicks and rough edges. Having one tube specifically for colostrum feedings and another to administer fluids to sick calves can help decrease infection risks for newborns. Read the full article from Michigan State Extension for tips on each step, including restraining the calf, measuring and inserting the tube, administering fluids, and removing and sanitizing the tube.

For your business mind

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR CONFERENCE ON PHOSPHORUS IN WISCONSIN WATERS. The Center for Water Policy, with support from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin and a wide variety of partners is hosting “Phosphorus: Lessons from 10+ Years of Numeric Standards for Wisconsin’s Waters” on Feb. 7, 2023, in Madison, Wis. The conference will feature academic research and case studies to foster discussion around policy mechanisms that address the ongoing challenge of phosphorus management and water pollution. Keynote speaker Dan Egan will present his keynote address over lunch as he speaks about his forthcoming book, The Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance. The address will include a conversation with Center for Water Policy director Melissa Scanlan. Learn more and register here.

CALCULATING CULL RATE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND the age at which cows are leaving the herd, the reasons for culling, and the financial impact on the operation is important. An article from Penn State Extension highlights that as the cost of raising heifers continues to increase, dairy cows become profitable to the farm in their third lactation. Considering whether the farm is culling merely to replace them with younger, more genetically superior animals or whether cows are leaving due to injuries that can be prevented with facility or management improvements can help farm owners and managers make decisions that are best for the herd’s productivity and profitability. Learn more in the full article.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “DOING” AND “OWNING” can make a big difference when you delegate projects to team members. As a manager, delegating a task to someone often means you’re still involved in giving direction, reviewing progress and evaluating final results. In contrast, asking someone to “own the process” of completing a task means they take responsibility to complete the project within established guidelines and goals – requiring less of your time and attention. Read more in the article about how finding projects team members can own allows you to free up time so you can focus on the most important tasks within your roles.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS is to take time to write yourself a letter about your own goals and values. A Fast Company article shares tips on doing so to reflect on the past year and asking yourself five questions for the year ahead:

What are the fears you plan to tackle or things you believe are holding you back?
What are some adventures you will embrace in the year to come?
How will you connect or reconnect with others in your life?
How will you plan to grow?
What can you do to serve others?

Click here to learn more, including tips for reviewing the letter throughout the year to gauge progress or make changes.

The Dairy Signal

DON’T MISS THE DAIRY SIGNAL. The start of the New Year is the perfect 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:

January 3

With winter weather upon us, ensure your entire team is prepared for working in it. Join in for a discussion on proper clothing and preparation for cold weather, as well as how to respond to injuries such as frost bite, hypothermia and more, and when to seek emergency care.

Dr. Steve R. Krikhorn, MD, Medical Director for AgriSafe Network, Senior Occupational Medicine Consultant for UMASH

January 4

Tune in to learn about a feed additive with an added bonus. Hear from a producer who has used Agolin additive for reducing methane in cows, its impact on feed efficiency and opportunities for producers to benefit financially and receive carbon credits for use.

Peter Williams, CEO, Advantec Associates Inc., and Partner, Feedworks USA Ltd.
John Koepke, Koepke Farms, Oconomowoc, WI

January 5

Start the New Year with a look at the latest news and analysis of agriculture and dairy markets and trends that will impact your operation and bottom line now and in the future.

Dan Basse, President of AgResource Company

January 10

As adoption of social housing of calves continues to expand across the industry, new methods and questions arise. Tune in for an interactive discussion of the challenges and opportunities of social housing, specifically focusing on practices that optimize calf behavior, nutrition and management in these systems.

Dr. Trevor DeVries, Ph.D., Professor and Canada Research Chair, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph

January 11

January is an ideal time to review your insurance coverage for farm and other policies. Learn how to prevent yourself from being under-insured or over-insured, and understand the risks of both scenarios.

Sara Grade, Products and Product Training Manager, Rural Mutual Insurance Company

January 12

Kickstart your wellness journey with a discussion of how to set, measure and meet your health goals, and how to get back on the bandwagon after a setback.

Morgan Ekovich, Owner and Head Trainer, Get Fit with ME LLC

Dairy currents

MINIMIZE RISKS OF TOWING DURING WINTER SEASON by reviewing a safety checklist with your team. The presence of snow, ice, and mud during winter and spring can make towing challenging and dangerous. Things to consider before towing include:

Is the vehicle capable of towing the weight of the trailer plus the weight of the load in the driving conditions?
Does the vehicle have the appropriate braking ability? A trailer hauling more than 1,000 pounds should have its own brake system.
Are the tires sturdy, properly inflated and appropriate for the job?
Is the tow chain, rope or cable the right length and in good condition?
Are you using more than one vehicle for towing? Hitch each vehicle independently, not in a single-file line.
Is the area clear of bystanders, workers and other objects?

Review the full checklist from Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) here.

FOOD TRENDS FOR 2023 INCLUDE HEALTHFUL BEVERAGES, demands for probiotics and protein, a focus on food labels, and diversity in food systems. International Food Information Council (IFIC) highlighted these trends, pointing out that providing “more energy and less fatigue” were the most important benefits in food and beverages for 37% of Americans, while the “emotional/mental health” benefit was among the top three sought out by Gen Z. Probiotics have been steadily growing in popularity, with digestive and gut health being the third-most commonly sought-after benefit among Americans. Probiotics are increasingly being added to foods such as chocolate, ice cream, juices, sauces and nutrition bars. Learn more about these and other trends in the full article .

CROP INSURANCE REBATES ARE AVAILABLE FOR COVER CROP PLANTINGS. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is now accepting applications for the new cover crop insurance premium rebate program. Recipients will receive a $5 per acre rebate on their summer 2023 crop insurance premium for acres planted with cover crops in 2022. DATCP has $800,000 or 160,000 acres to award – funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The online rebate application, program details, FAQs and more can be found on DATCP’s website and will remain open until January 31, 2023.

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