TEST - FOR REVIEW - PDP Manager's Memo

November 2025 Vol. 3

Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization^®

The Dairy Signal^®

Check out what's coming this week on The Dairy Signal!

November 18 - Your Farm - Your Footprint: Share Your Insights

Bring your questions for dairy producers who have participated in the Your Farm – Your Footprint^® initiative. Hear about what they have learned through the process and how they have used their confidential data analysis to make decisions on the farm.

David Trimner, General Manager and Co-Owner, Miltrim Farms Inc.
Paul Lippert, Owner, Grass Ridge Farm, LLC

November 20 - Screw Flies in Focus: History, Action, Awareness

Tune in for a timely conversation about New World screwworm flies, including what it was like for animals and producers when they were present in the U.S., what the USDA is doing to prevent their return and what to look for.

Dr. Keith Poulsen, PhD, Director, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL), University of Wisconsin

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Previously on The Dairy Signal

November 11

How do you ensure that the ration you developed matches what your cows are actually eating? Tune in for a discussion on conducting TMR audits and strategies for precision feeding.

Austin Sears, Regional Sales Manager, Diamond V

November 13

Don’t miss an update on the market, export and weather news that will impact the dairy industry and your operation for the rest of 2025 and into 2026.

Ben Buckner, Chief Grains and Dairy Analyst, AgResource Company

Tune in every Tuesday and Thursday live from noon to 1 p.m. CT, or catch previous episodes on demand here.

Opportunities to Learn

DAIRY WELLBEING WORKSHOP

Nov. 19, 20, 2025

Green Bay, Wis.

DON'T WAIT: ONLY A FEW SPACES LEFT! Hear from leading experts on animal handling and preventing lameness and take an exclusive tour of American Foods Group. Pre-registration is required for this program. Learn more and register.

DAIRY INSIGHTS SUMMIT

Dec. 11, 2025

Madison, Wis.

THINK BEYOND TOMORROW at the one-day event for dairy's thought leaders and trailblazers.

From evolving consumer demands to breakthrough innovations and economic pressures, the future of dairy depends on how we respond today.

Join the conversations about what's next, understanding why some innovations fail and others succeed, and ensuring long-term industry profitability.

Learn more and register.

DAIRY MANAGERS INSTITUTE

Dec. 16-17, 2025

Green Bay, Wis.

THREE TIERS OF TRAINING to build stronger managers and leaders. Simultaneous Spanish translation ensures that your entire team can learn together.

Learn more and register.

MANAGERS ACADEMY FOR DAIRY PROFESSIONALS®

January 20-22, 2026

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Learn more and register.

FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR DAIRY

Kewaunee, Wis.

Level Two -

Jan. 15-16, 2026

Feb. 4-5, 2026

Mar. 10-11, 2026

Learn more and register.

CORNERSTONE DAIRY ACADEMY®

March 3-4, 2026

Madison, Wis.

Applications due Jan. 15

Learn more and apply.

For Your Business Mind

ARE YOU PREPARED to handle a visit from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other officials with questions about employee immigration status? A new video resource provides clear, practical guidance to prepare from both a legal and communications standpoint, including making sure that I-9 forms are on file for all employees and that your business has protocols for visits along with communications messages and designated spokespeople ready to field media inquiries. Watch video.

DON’T JUST TALK ABOUT A MISSION OR PURPOSE. Focus instead on how you and everyone in your organization can live out that purpose every day. An article from Forbes magazine argues that real purpose isn’t a slogan—it’s built through consistent actions. The most effective leaders weave purpose into daily decisions, meeting agendas, hiring practices, and recognition. By making impact visible and modeling authenticity, they create genuine meaning and motivate teams through what they do, not what they say. Read more.

Your Farm - Your Footprint®

A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR YOUR FARM

Your farm's advisory team is an important part of your success. With Your Farm - Your Footprint (YFYF), you can add a sustainability consultant to the team.

YFYF is a hands-on program designed to help you confidentially measure, manage and improve your farm’s sustainability. From optimizing resource use to building a more sustainable future, YFYF provides the tools and expertise you need.

“As dairy farmers, we're always looking for the next new idea and insight to forward our business. Your Farm - Your Footprint gave us incredibly helpful insight and consulting."

Jacob Hoewisch

Hoewisch Homestead Dairy

Learn more and sign up today at www.pdpw.org/your-farm-your-footprint/.

For Your Dairy

MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND the third annual 2025 Wisconsin Water and Soil Health (WWASH) Conference, set for Dec.16-17 in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. The conference is focused on exploring the intersection of on-farm research, soil health, and water quality. Visit the website to learn more about keynote speakers, interactive breakout sessions and roundtable discussions, all designed to deepen expertise and provide actionable insights for your farm or the producers you support. Learn more.

PREPARE NOW TO PREVENT A MASTITIS OUTBREAK when cold weather hits. Mastitis is often a problem during winter months because it is harder to keep cows clean and bacteria growth is supported by a wet environment. Plan ahead to ensure an adequate amount of clean bedding in stalls or bedded packs, and fall is the time to trim or flame udders to keep udders clean. Finally, post-dipping is key; when temperatures are extremely cold, udders may need to be dried before cows leave the parlor. Read the full article from Penn State Extension to learn more.

On the Road: Cozy Nook Farm

At Cozy Nook Farm, dairy farming and community engagement have gone hand in hand for more than 60 years. The sixth-generation dairy farm owned and operated by Tom and Joan Oberhaus and their son, Charlie, milks around 80 cows, mostly registered Brown Swiss and Guernseys.

Located in Waukesha, Wis., just west of Milwaukee, the farm’s commitment to education, transparency and hospitality has made it a regional destination for visitors throughout the year, especially during fall and holiday season.

Joan’s parents, Jim and Kathy, began selling pumpkins to diversify the dairy farm business in 1963, and it has grown into a Fall Market that opens each year at the end of September. There are more than 40 varieties of pumpkins, gourds, squash and fall decor, along with farm tours and hayrides for families and school groups. These visits offer a valuable chance to share information about how cows are cared for as well as Wisconsin’s dairy economy.

Tom and Joan added Christmas tree sales in 1985 featuring locally grown Fraser, Balsam and Canaan firs, along with wreaths, garland and handcrafted decorations. Christmas tree sales begin the Friday after Thanksgiving each year. Learn more on their website.