July 21, 2026

 Issue 187

IDP in Motion: The Dairy Business is a People Business

Like many IDP members, I grew up being active in 4-H and FFA and fell in love with the cows as part of my family’s dairy operation. That love led me to a career in the dairy industry where I have come to realize this is a people business. Yes, of course, the cows are at the center of our daily work but it is the people we surround ourselves with who make a difference.

Much of the work we do at IDP is based on relationships. For example, we spend time in both Indianapolis and Washington DC advocating for our industry. I’m pleased progress is being made on the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026. This legislation modernizes the H-2A visa program by expanding access to a year-round workforce and eliminating unpredictable swings in wage rates, among other changes. We keep the voice of the dairy producer at the table as our elected officials debate actions that have great impact on our farms.

Helping our teams improve is another important part of our “people business.” We are grateful to Elanco and Dehm Associates for their sponsorship of our very well attended Spanish training sessions for middle managers. Our most recent session focused on “Milk Money Management” which helped connect the dots between what happens in the milk house to the finances of the dairy. This session reinforced that a farm’s success depends on its people. Our seminars are a one of a kind program in the country.

Getting to know each other is a fulfilling part of our industry. Phibro is sponsoring a fall bus trip where we can gain knowledge while enjoying each other’s company. More details will be coming soon about this trip that will travel through Illinois and Missouri.

We can’t forget the Indiana State Fair is right around the corner where many from our industry will gather to cheer on the next generation of dairy producers as they show their animals. What’s better than enjoying a milkshake at the Dairy Bar with a fellow dairy producer?

Wishing everyone a safe summer.

Steve



Steve Obert, Executive Director

Steveobert@indianadairy.org

817-779-6775 

In This Issue

Our Mission in Action

Sponsor Spotlight

IDP Member Moments



Industry Insight

BOAH's New Dairy Director



Our Mission in Action: ADIA Ice Cream Social a Sweet Success

The American Dairy Association Indiana’s 37th Annual Ice Cream Social is officially in the books, and we thank everyone who braved the heat on July 16 to enjoy a sweet dairy treat.



Our organization is proud to present $5,800 to Indiana Sports Corp. The event wouldn't be possible without partners like Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Kroger and Prairie Farms. For more pictures from the event, check out our social media @INDairy.

Sponsor Spotlight: FERA Diagnostics & Biologicals

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in College Station, Texas, FERA Diagnostics & Biologicals Corp. is a family-owned biotechnology company dedicated to advancing livestock health, welfare, and productivity through innovative, science-driven solutions. FERA partners with producers across dairy, beef, and swine operations in North America and international markets to support data-driven, on-farm decision-making that improves animal well-being and operational efficiency.

At the core of FERA’s portfolio are two flagship technologies: FerAppease® and AccuMast®. Backed by more than 13 peer-reviewed published studies, FerAppease is the only product scientifically proven to lower cortisol and improve performance. Designed to support animals during stressful events, it delivers benefits across dairy, feedlot, and swine production systems. AccuMast is a rapid, on-farm mastitis diagnostic system that enables early detection of intramammary infections, empowering dairy producers to make timely, targeted treatment decisions. Together, these technologies help improve animal health, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, and enhance long-term profitability.

FERA recently invested more than $19 million in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing and headquarters campus in Texas, expanding domestic production capacity and accelerating research and development efforts.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with the Indiana Dairy Producers as a sponsor,” said Raphael Saraiva, Key Account Manager for the Dairy Division at FERA Diagnostics & Biologicals. “At FERA, we share IDP’s commitment to supporting producers with practical, science-based solutions that improve animal welfare and farm profitability. We look forward to continuing to strengthen Indiana’s dairy community.”

To learn more about FerAppease®, AccuMast®, and FERA’s solutions, please visit www.feraah.com.

IDP Member Moments: From Maine to Indiana: Poland Dairy Focused on Efficiency

While the state of Maine offers beautiful scenery and blueberries, it isn’t the most hospitable spot for a dairy. “It is literally the end of the line for everything,” says Michael Poland. While the family had lived in Maine for generations, the Poland family looked for new opportunities in the heartland and decided on Warren County, Indiana, in 2003.

Part of the reason Indiana was the winning state was due to Michael getting an ag engineering degree from Purdue University. Today, Michael and his wife, Courtney, along with four full time employees, run the dairy in Boswell where they milk 330 cows and raise their own heifers. They also raise their own forage.

Michael’s engineering expertise helps solves problems on the farm, and nine years ago they began using robots to help with labor shortages. “The future for those who have midsize farms is to try and be as efficient as possible when it comes to skilled labor,” he says. “The robots take care of the basic labor so we can maximize the time of our people.” He shares that this allows them to have the type of quality per cow attention possible on smaller farms but is hard to do with a mid-size herd. “By using the robots, we can spend time with cows that have the greatest need,” he says.

Michael is optimistic about the future of dairy from a marketing standpoint in that society is “coming out of the slump” of when people were hearing the message of “don’t drink full fat and stay away from butter.” He says, “Our industry is getting people to understand the nutritional advantage of dairy and the benefits of full fat in their diets.”

On the farm side of things, Michael sees progress in the ability to use data collection and analysis to efficiently manage individual cows at scale. While artificial intelligence may be handy in some situations like data summaries, he cautions it will never replace expertise like having a nutritionist.

The challenges he sees are familiar to every farmer – finding skilled labor. “While I can get unskilled labor, it is hard to find the herdsmen, calf managers and others with management skills we need,” Michael says.

The Polands serve the industry in several ways. They give virtual dairy tours as part of ADAI’s outreach efforts, and Michal serves on the IDP board. “Being on the board has been helpful and it is refreshing as I get access to information like what is going on legislatively,” he says. “It is good to know we dairy farmers have a voice and can influence actions that impact our farms.”



He wants his fellow dairy producers to know that the IDP Board members have a great deal of input and provide direction for the organization. “I really appreciate how Steve Obert asks for our input and insight, the work he does is focused on our direction. IDP really is working on behalf of every single dairy farm in our state.” 

Industry Insight: In the Milk House with BOAH: About to Build, Remodel, or Replace? Don’t Forget BOAH!



If you are planning to build a new dairy, remodel an existing facility, or replace and/or make equipment changes, be sure to communicate with your inspector to verify the proper steps to take before starting.

All changes to the facility or equipment require an Application to Install or Modify A Milking System. This application gives BOAH the needed information to approve the changes you are making to meet the PMO and Indiana Code requirements. Accompanying the application, you will need to provide a drawing of the facility indicating the changes being made. Page 2 of the Modify application contains a list of what BOAH looks for in the drawing. Once this is completed and received by BOAH, the Farm Supervisor for review. After review, the application will be either approved or sent back for clarification. Once approved, let the changes begin!

If you are building a new facility, the above steps are followed but must also include a Permit To Sell Raw Milk For Pasteurization.

All forms along with information and guidance can be found on the BOAH website at www.in.gov/boah/dairy-inspection/dairy-farms/ .



As usual, you can always contact your BOAH inspector for more information.

Introducing BOAH’s New Dairy Division Director



BOAH is pleased to announce the Matt Hauschild has been promoted to Director of the Dairy Division. Matt brings significant experience garnered from more than 36 years of experience in the private and public sector where he focused on dairy processing, regulatory oversight, and plant operations management. He has been part of the BOAH team for more than 10 years, most of that time serving as Chief Milk Plant Supervisor.

Industry Insight: Where have all the Heifers Gone?

By Dr. Mike Schutz, Professor and Head, Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota

The decreasing number of replacement heifers relative to milk cows is a trend the dairy industry is watching closely. The story at the link below shares an in-depth analysis by Dr. Schutz, who is a good friend as the founder of the Indiana Dairy Producers.



Link here for insight into the question “where have all the heifers gone?”



Where Have the Heifers Gone? | IDP

Our Mission in Action: Summer Options for Ponded Pastures and Fields

From our partners at the Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance

There’s planting season, then there’s replanting season. For some parts of the state, there was re-replanting season. Now we’re running out of options for fields that have experienced a fair amount of precipitation in a short amount of time. All around the state, ponding has occurred in low areas. Some fields have been luckier than others and stayed underwater a short enough time period to see minimal plant stand reduction, like in the rolling hills. Some fields have been maddeningly unlucky, like much of our river bottom ground or fields with minimal, although obviously not entirely negligible, slope. What options do we have left for bare spots or bare fields?

First, take note of where the problems exist. Could tile, a Water and Sediment Control Basin (WASCOB), or dry dams fix the issue? If so, and cash flow permits, investigating tying some drainage solutions to other NRCS practices might make a good EQIP or CSP application. Although pattern tile might be a good solution where whole fields have a hard time draining, contour tile is still a viable option for some problem areas in an otherwise well-drained field.

The path of least management is to leave the drowned portions to the weeds and let the combine, sprayer, mower, or tillage equipment terminate whatever growth occurs post-harvest. Weeds that get a good start this time of year go to seed relatively quickly, however, feeding the weed seed bank may not be ideal.

We are still well into the window for a successful cover crop planting of warm season plants. Sorghum-sudan can be planted now for a hay cutting before the first freeze. Cover crop mixes that include buckwheat, the millets, teff, sunflower, cowpeas, flax, or phacelia all have a good window for summer planting in July. All are a good alternative to giant ragweed or Johnsongrass that grow quickly in the heat. Keep in mind that cover crop mixes have winners and losers depending on the weather, but don’t discount a single species because it did not play well with others this year.

A very short season corn (70-80 day maturity) might still be an option for those who want to cut silage. The first frost in most of Indiana wouldn’t let that kind of corn reach black layer, but there’s a chance it could get into dent before the weather stops its growth. The Corn Growing Degree Day Tool at https://mrcc.purdue.edu/tools/corngdd can help you decide whether this is a viable option.

In some situations where the sprayer via ground rig, ATV, backpack, or drone can access the lost areas, applying a herbicide to create a chemical fallow condition will keep the weeds away. In this scenario, planning for the next cash crop should take into consideration plantback restrictions for some of the herbicides with more residual activity than others, particularly on ground that might have a winter crop or cover crop.

Finally, on ground where water soluble nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus may have been doled out early at crop maintenance rates, scouting and planning on how to apply rescue treatments if deficiency symptoms begin to appear is a recommended practice. Tissue sampling to see potential deficits before they appear may be warranted.