In this episode, we will introduce you to the 2025 Nexus Innovation Award winners. They were recently recognized at Professional Dairy Producers Business Conference. One of the award winners is an innovative new lending marketplace that can help producers find funding for tech-centered projects. Another winner has a sort gate that uses electromagne…

DMI’s Anne Marie Splitstone, EVP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, and Silvia Robles, VP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, speak with DMI’s Scott Wallin about the evolution of fluid milk innovation since 2015, emphasizing consumer insights and industry partnerships. They highlight the role of the Dairy Foods Research Center Network, which…

Raising healthy calves isn’t just about helping them survive their first weeks—it’s about setting them up for lifetime productivity. One of the biggest factors in long-term success? Gut health. In this episode, Taylor Wolfe, a territory sales representative with DBC Ag Products, shares what she’s seeing on Northeast dairy farms and why prioritizing…

Connecticut dairy producer Amanda Freund recently took the national stage to promote her product Cow Pots (and in turn, the dairy industry) during a televised episode of Shark Tank. Host Kimmi Devaney sat down with her to learn about this experience and how this product has changed manure management on their farm over the past 20-plus years, how di…

Afimilk recently released the first product to accurately identify individual cow dry matter intake and calculate the feed efficiency of each animal. Product manager, Veronica Shabtai, DVM, shares the research behind the ground-breaking development and producer Jacob de Jong from Parkview Dairy in California, talks about how he's used the service t…

Dairy farmers have several options when designing and implementing beef-on-dairy programs. One approach is breeding dairy cows to beef sires, producing crossbred calves that enter the beef value chain. However, an increasing number of dairies are choosing HerdFlex beef embryos, which result in full-beef calves. Evaluating embryo quality is crucial …

There’s a new type of AI in town, and one you might not be as familiar with. Shari van de Pol, CEO of Cattleytics, joins host Matti McBride to explain how and why dairies can benefit from artificial intelligence. Learn the different types of AI, what applications you might use it for and understand the benefits and limitations of this technology.…

Brad Peterson, VP of Sales at Total Farm Marketing, discusses how AI-powered tools and proactive strategies are transforming dairy marketing and risk management. He explores how the TFM360 system uses AI and data-driven insights to help dairy farmers optimize milk pricing, manage feed and fuel costs, and navigate market volatility. Brad also shares…

On this Progressive Dairy Podcast, Matt Dodd, DVM, a Ruminant Field Technical Specialist with Diamond V, shares strategies to support the herd throughout the marathon of heat stress season. As the season progresses, producers implement different strategies to help the herd combat heat and humidity. He will dive into pre-season prep, management adju…

Tune into this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to learn about dairy policy, what is new in Washington D.C. and how it is affecting dairy right now from Gregg Doud, who is the president and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). Here's a breakdown of the episode: [~1:05] Overview of Doud’s background, previous roles, etc. [~5:00]…

Join host Matti McBride as she chats with Ryan Leiterman, director of technical services at Crystal Creek Natural, about calf barn ventilation. Learn the difference between a good or bad draft in calf barns, Leiterman’s suggestions for design and his recommendations for airspeed in barns. Here is the episode breakdown: 0:40 – Leiterman’s background…

This podcast explores the role of probiotics in maintaining the health and productivity of dairy cows and calves. It highlights how specific probiotic strains enhance gut health, digestion, and immune function, leading to improved herd stability and fewer health challenges. Key points: Strain Selection Matters: Not all probiotics are equal—specific…

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, learn how to set your star employees up for success as they transition into a supervisor role. Dr. Bob Milligan joins host Kimmi Devaney to chat about easing stress during this leadership transition, getting buy-in from other employees as their peer becomes their supervisor, skills that are essentia…

DMI’s Megan Maisano and Aris Georgiadis speak with DMI’s Scott Wallin about how the checkoff is sharing dairy’s impact on children with the “First 1000 Days”. She also explains how the checkoff is promoting this research through our nutrition and health professionals and to consumers via trusted online resource centers. Tune in to find out! Your Da…

Veterinarian Michelle Schack joins host Matti McBride on this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to discuss the importance of employee training and management. Learn more about why documentation, communication and repetition matters regarding training. Here is the episode breakdown: 0:50 – Schack’s background 1:40 – The importance of document…

Mental health among veterinarians has been a hot topic in the industry for several years. In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Dr. Jen Roberts from Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) joins host Kimmi Devaney to discuss the importance of mental health among veterinarians and dairy producers, examine survey data and share some tips for how people…

HerdFlex beef embryos are great tool for dairies that are taking advantage of the beef on dairy trend. Embryos offer more than obtaining calves with a higher market value. A number of farms have also found embryos can have a positive impact on dairy herd reproductive performance, especially in the case of cows that have been bred with semen multipl…

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Bethany Dado-Senn of Vita Plus joins host Matti McBride to discuss calf care. Learn from Dado-Senn as she discusses the importance of colostrum quality and management, general sanitation, calf management in the winter months, the benefits of pair housing calves and more. Here is the episode breakdow…

Join Progressive Dairy Podcast co-hosts Kimmi Devaney, Walt Cooley and Matti McBride – along with special guest David Cooper, who is the managing editor of Progressive Cattle magazine – for a recap of their favorite articles, podcast episodes and some of the biggest dairy news stories of 2024. Stay tuned to the end for an entertaining New Year's-th…

Join Wisconsin dairy farmer Dan Scheps and agronomist Parker Heise as they discuss the benefits of HarvXtra® Alfalfa. From improved forage quality and harvest flexibility to the potential for increased milk production and feed efficiency, this episode covers why HarvXtra® Alfalfa is a must for modern dairy operations. Tune in to learn how it can he…

USDA reports indicate that the incidence rate of mastitis has increased from 13% in 1996 to 25% in 2014. Considering the average case of clinical mastitis in the United States costs an average of $569, it’s imperative for dairy producers to adopt protocols to prevent this costly disease. Dr. Craig Louder, Axiota® technical service veterinarian, joi…

Join host Kimmi Devaney as she chats with Oregon dairy producer and Progressive Dairy columnist Dwayne Faber about moving the dairies to another state, how he keeps employees motivated when he cannot always be there, the qualities he looks for in key employees and what has surprised him most during the transition from managing two farms nearby to m…

It’s the big question. And the one Dr. Todd Bilby is asked most often. What can a dairy do to boost repro efficiency? In this Progressive Dairy sponsorcast, listen in as Dr. Bilby, Merck Animal Health Director of Dairy Technical Services, discusses his repro philosophy and what solutions move margins. Episode highlights include: Using technology to…

Join Barb O’Brien, CEO of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), and Marilyn Hershey, a Pennsylvania dairy farmer and Chair of DMI, as they explore the exciting “dairy renaissance” fueled by rising consumer engagement, health professional endorsements, and cutting-edge social media campaigns, the dairy industry is experiencing a powerful revival. O’Brien del…

Fifth-generation dairy farmer from Amelia Court House, Virginia, Jeremy Moyer joins host Matti McBride on this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast. Learn about Oakmulgee Dairy Farm, a new robotic milking facility, the decision to invest in a methane digester, advice Moyer has for producers considering large investments at their dairy and more.…

What would you do to protect the most vulnerable group on the farm? For Iowa dairy producer James Vander Waal, the answer was found in a first-of-its-kind technology. In this Progressive Dairy sponsorcast, listen in as Merck Animal Health Customer Success Specialist Sarah Anderson and Vander Waal discuss why he committed to SenseHub Dairy Youngstoc…

In this two-part episode, hear from Dana Coale – deputy administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Dairy Programs at the USDA – about the five areas of milk pricing included in the USDA’s Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) final decision, and learn about the referendum process. Later in the episode, Alex Gambonini joins host Kimmi D…

In this episode, Steve Pavelski, Nedap large herd specialist, discusses the value of new cow sorting technology in simplifying herd management and helping farmers save time and labor. He explains how Nedap’s new SmartSort sort gate system integrates RFID technology to automate sorting to streamline tasks like health checks and breeding. Doing so al…

Raising resilient calves begins with high-quality nutrition in early life. Focusing on gut health and microbiome development creates a solid foundation for future productivity. Calves that receive proper early-life nutrition are better equipped to face disease challenges and grow into optimal cows that deliver strong performance throughout their li…

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Jamie Sullivan of Rippleview Hoof Care joins host Matti McBride to discuss hoof care. Learn how Sullivan got his start in hoof trimming, his take on misconceptions surrounding lameness, tips for detecting lameness, the importance of a designated trim area and more. Here is the episode breakdown: 1:0…

How can dairy producers and nutritionists know if their prebiotics or probiotics are worth the investment? In this episode, Papillon Agricultural Company team members Matt Kauffman and Dr. Devan Paulus Compart discuss: How we know if functional additives are working What specific goals producers and nutritionists can set How complimentary on-farm s…

How can dairies take repro rates to the next level? In this Progressive Dairy sponsorcast, dairy producer Luis Davalos and Merck Animal Health Dairy Marketing Manager Austin Snook discuss: Ways to catch more heats How monitoring and Ovsynch protocols can complement each other Holistic herd management This episode is sponsored by Merck Animal Health…

In this episode, join host Kimmi Devaney and Dr. Wade Robey for a conversation about mycotoxins, strategies to mitigate mycotoxin issues and more. Robey is the president of Amlan International and vice president of agriculture at Oil-Dri Corporation of America, where he leads Amlan’s animal health business and oversees Oil-Dri’s R&D and Agriculture…

Dairy farmers are reaping the benefits of current high prices for dairy-beef crossbred calves thanks to historically lower cattle replacements and strong beef demand. Opportunities for beef-on-dairy strategies remain strong, especially beef embryo-based programs. Feeders and packers seek uniformity between animals and efficient growth. They are wil…

In this episode, Native Microbials is joined by three customers — Mal Machado, Jason Nunes, and Gerrit Roeloffs — to discuss the importance of rumen health and their experiences with bird flu. The conversation addresses what we currently know about the virus, and how improved cow health can help mitigate its impact on milking herds. This episode is…

What bottlenecks prevent calves from reaching their genetic potential? How can data help you identify trends and make informed calf health and management decisions? What tools can make it easier? Join Wayne Worden, farm performance consultant with VAS and Dr. Mike Nagorske, director of veterinary technical services and research with SCCL, as they s…

Discussing cow comfort, genetics, succession planning and social media presence, brother and sister Tyler and Mackenzie Reynolds join host Matti McBride on this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast. Learn how a new barn has resulted in increased production, how three siblings returned to the western New York dairy, the impact genetics has had o…

In 2024, how can producers work through industry pressures and still hit their production goals? In this Progressive Dairy sponsorcast, Merck Animal Health Customer Success Specialist, Sarah Anderson, and Territory Manager, Jeannie Bishop, discuss: Finding answers to the skilled labor shortage Using data quickly and efficiently Combining solutions …

In this episode, join host Kimmi Devaney as she visits with Dr. Geof Smith, who is the managing dairy technical services veterinarian at Zoetis, about longevity and how to get calves off to the best start possible. Here is the episode breakdown: [~0:30] About Smith’s background in the dairy industry working with calves [~1:15] His overall thoughts …

Final preparations are underway for World Dairy Expo 2024. Laura Herschleb, General Manager, joins podcast host, Lisa Behnke, to share what you can expect if you attend, and how you can join virtually, if unable to make the trek to Madison, Wisconsin. Learn what's new at this year's show and how Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu (HPAI) is being addressed…

Dr. Sara Place of Colorado State University joins host Matti McBride in this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast. An associate professor of feedlot systems and researcher with CSU’s AgNext, Place has been working with enteric emissions in cattle for the past decade. Learn about CSU’s feed additive calculator tool, how the beef and dairy indust…

In this episode, Dr. Emily Meccage, senior manager of research and development at Forage Genetics International and Dave Ribeiro, a California dairy farmer, discuss Dave’s experience with growing and feeding alfalfa on his dairy farm and what HarvXtra alfalfa offers dairy producers. This episode is sponsored by Forage Genetics International. For mo…

What sets SenseHub Dairy monitoring apart from other monitoring systems? It’s reliable data that leads to needle-moving insights. It’s intuitive reports that simplify tasks and identify problems sooner. It’s time-saving cow location tools. And it’s fully integrated with M-Power, the new full-solution approach to dairy from Merck Animal Health. Now,…

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Dr. Mark Kinsel joins host Kimmi Devaney to discuss how to optimize the data available on the farm when making management decisions. Kinsel is the CEO of Agricultural Information Management Inc. and is also a veterinarian who has worked in many different areas throughout his career. Here is the epis…

Justin Graham of Brooksco Dairy joins Matti McBride on this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, chatting about milk quality. Learn about Graham’s role as staff veterinarian at southern Georgia’s Brooksco Dairy; milk quality protocols, including Brooksco’s sand reclamation program; challenges and changes in milk quality over the years; and his…

Biosecurity should be a top priority for dairy producers to keep their herds healthy. By implementing strict biosecurity measures, producers can prevent the spread of disease among their cattle and workers. Investing in these protocols is not just a matter of farm management but a commitment to animal welfare, public health and the long-term viabil…

In this episode, Dr. Jeffrey Bewley from Holstein Association USA visits with host Kimmi Devaney about the opportunities and limitations of utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in the dairy industry. Here’s a breakdown of the episode: [~0:55] About Bewley’s background [~1:30] What is AI and machine learning? [~4:00] Current uses in the dairy indu…

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Dr. Ken Griswold, the Lead Ruminant Technical Manger @Selko, will talk with us about the importance of Ramping Up Your Herd Health. With today’s feed prices and an extremely volatile market, keeping your animals in top notch health is key. As a PhD, and also a father of two daughters who grew up sho…

On this Progressive Dairy Podcast, Matt Kauffman, Great Lakes Regional Sales Manager at Papillon Agricultural Company, chats with Clayton Stoffel, Technical Services Manager at Papillon, about getting the most from amino acid blends. They examine the importance of quality control, ration diversity and targeting amino acids, plus how all of this imp…

From improving soil properties to being a powerhouse ingredient in feed rations, alfalfa has a lot to offer dairy producers. Emily Meccage, Ph.D., senior manager of research and development with Forage Genetics International, joins the discussion to share about the many opportunities for dairy farmers to capitalize on growing, harvesting and feedin…