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January 2026 Vol. 1
Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®
| | Check out what's coming this week on The Dairy Signal! | | Jan. 6 - Feeding Do's and Don'ts in a Low Milk Price Market | | Tune in every Tuesday and Thursday live from noon to 1 p.m. CT, or catch previous episodes on demand here. | | |
CORNERSTONE DAIRY ACADEMY®
March 3-4, 2026
Madison, Wis.
APPLY BY JANUARY 15! Build practical communications and leadership skills with three learning pillars taught by world-class facilitators; designed for students, emerging professionals, or anyone navigating change or new opportunities in dairy. All sessions simultaneously translated into Spanish.
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EXTREMELY LIMITED AVAILABILITY!
Up to two spots are now available for PDP's once-in-a-lifetime international trip to New Zealand in February 2026. If you were considering the trip before it sold out, now is the time to act! Learn more and contact Julie Gabris from the PDP team at 920-382-2012 for details and to reserve your space(s) now!
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MANAGERS ACADEMY FOR DAIRY PROFESSIONALS®
January 20-22, 2026
San Juan, Puerto Rico
IT'S NOT TOO LATE! Step away from the day-to-day and sharpen your edge as a business leader.
Join fellow progressive dairy owners and managers in Puerto Rico, Jan. 20–22, 2026, for three days of advanced learning, inspiration, and collaboration.
You’ll gain:
✅ Executive-level strategies to protect margin and grow value.
✅ Immersive out-of-industry tours in Puerto Rico.
✅ A powerful peer network.
Learn more and apply.
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FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR DAIRY®
Kewaunee, Wis.
Level Two -
Jan. 15-16, 2026
Feb. 4-5, 2026
Mar. 10-11, 2026
Learn more and register.
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2026 PDP BUSINESS CONFERENCE
March 4-5, 2026
Madison, Wis.
Full program now available! View here.
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THE EFFECT OF A 140 DAY VOLUNTARY WAITING PERIOD on milk yield, fertility and culling rates was the focus of research published in the Journal of Dairy Science. Researchers studied high-yielding, second-parity cows across 12 herds and found that the longer waiting period could enhance fertility without compromising milk production or affecting culling rates. Read the full study to learn more.
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POST-CALVING CARE AFTER DYSTOCIA can make a huge difference in the health of both cow and calf. After a long labor, the cow may show little interest in her calf. Ensuring she has warm water in a short, shallow bucket can help with hydration. Calves can be stimulated with towel-drying or other methods, giving caffeine or using Madigan Squeeze. Calves should also receive adequate amounts of high-quality colostrum. Learn more in the article from UW-Extension.
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| Your Farm - Your Footprint® | | |
KNOW YOUR NUMBER
PDP's Your Farm - Your Footprint puts your farm at the forefront of sustainability as the dairy supply chain looks to reduce its carbon footprint. Through Tier 1, dairy producers can receive non-government grants up to $9,750 per farm (up to 2,500 acres) to get their carbon footprint scores. A confidential third party will gather your information and help you learn your farm’s environmental footprint score, how it's calculated and potential opportunities to reduce your score.
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Discover your farm's environmental footprint score through nationally and globally recognized accounting programs Farm ES, Cool Farm Tool and COMET-Farm™.
- It's your data! You own and are able to share this information, or not, with others as you so choose.
- Receive a customizable roadmap of recommendations with practical steps to improve your farm's score.
- You have the option to participate in peer groups with fellow producers to share ideas and best practices in a safe, confidential environment.
Learn more and sign up today at www.pdpw.org/your-farm-your-footprint/.
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AS CONSUMER EXPECTATIONS SHIFT toward personalization, technology and health-focused solutions, dairy is well positioned for the future of precision nutrition. Advances in wearables, biomarkers and AI-driven recommendations are changing how people choose foods, and dairy is already part of many nutrition plans. Read more in an article from JDS Communications’ The Future of Milk issue.
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MEAT STICKS HAVE SURGED into one of America’s fastest-growing snack categories, with sales topping $3.3 billion as consumers seek convenient, high-protein options. Brands are expanding capacity and distribution, while a wider variety of flavors and better-for-you options attract new customers. The trend reflects shifting snacking habits toward portable protein and innovation in the meat stick space. Learn more in a Food Dive article.
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Walt Moore: A Lifelong Passion for Dairy and Continuous Improvement
Walt Moore of Walmoore Holsteins Inc. in West Grove, Pennsylvania, is a fourth-generation dairy producer whose passion for the industry runs deep. “I’ve been motivated since I was six,” Walt says. “It’s in my DNA.” From an early age, he knew dairy farming was his calling, and that commitment has shaped his life and business. Today, Walmoore Holsteins stands as a testament to decades of dedication to growth, innovation and leadership.
Education and networking have been key drivers of Walt’s success. For nearly 15 years, he has attended PDP’s Managers Academy for Dairy Professionals®, using the insights gained to strengthen his operation and expand into new ventures. Under his leadership, Walmoore Holsteins has grown beyond dairy to include a Wagyu beef business and a milk trucking enterprise. These strategic moves reflect Walt’s forward-thinking approach and his belief in continuous improvement.
“What motivates me? It’s hard work, 24/7, 365, but I love it,” Walt explains. “If I enjoy it six days out of seven, what else am I going to do that’s better? I love everything about it: the animals, the challenge of making them productive, improving genetics, getting another pound of milk, better components. And I love working with people.” Walt takes pride in building a strong team culture, hiring young, eager employees and helping them grow. “They may not have a lot of knowledge yet, but I enjoy training and educating them, and seeing them succeed.”
At the heart of Walmoore Holsteins is a culture of collaboration and progress. “I try to make it a culture of improvement, where everyone is pulling from the same end of the rope,” Walt says. “At the end of the day, it’s milk and meat out the door, and what are we collectively doing to make that better?” His philosophy of teamwork and innovation ensures that Walmoore Holsteins continues to thrive in an ever-changing industry.
To learn more, check out the entire interview here.
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"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."
-William Arthur Ward
| | Thank You, National Partners | | Thank You, Legacy Partner | | |
Professional Dairy Producers
820 North Main St.
Juneau, WI 53039
800-947-7379
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