Dairy Stream

Dairy Streamlet: Overview of dairy markets and policies with Dr. Marin Bozic

Learn more about BankFirst.

The Dairy Streamlet is a condensed version of a long Dairy Stream episode and covers the high-level points of the conversation. If this topic interest you, then listen to the full episode on April 8.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest, Dr. Marin Bozic, a nationally recognized dairy economist who serves as an adviser to the Edge board of directors, discuss the top highlights for dairy in the last four months, Federal Milk Marketing Orders, global conflicts, value of milk and market signals to keep an eye on.

Learn more about Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream.  Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com.

*Recorded March 30, 2026

 

Unique approach to succession planning with Barb Dartt

Learn more about BankFirst.

We have covered succession planning many times on Dairy Stream and this time we are taking a unique approach that focuses on the alignment of family and business goals to support long-term family harmony and business success.  

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest, Barb Dartt, discuss the following topics: 

• First things to assess and align to improve succession planning
• Collaborative dialogue, how to practice it
• Handling difficult conversations
• Leadership development in succession planning
• Structured governance
• Biggest thorns in succession planning
• Advice to the next generation
• How to revisit succession plans

About the guest

• Barb Dartt is a principal consultant for The Family Business Consulting Group. She has more than 20 years’ experience helping individuals and family groups grapple with the joys and challenges that are a natural part of families owning and managing businesses together.  At The Family Business Consulting Group, Barb helps families get aligned, anticipate and prevent future challenges, and communicate effectively to grow their businesses. 

Resources:

• Lydia Tuthill’s article on the 3 Cs 
• Barb's article on Next Gens “grabbing hold” and Letting Go... by Avoiding the Identity Trap
• Crucial Conversations
• Death by Meeting
• FBCG Resources
  • Managing Conflict in the Family Business
  • Power, Authority, and Influence: The Hidden Challenges of Succession Planning
  • Three Key Conversations for Sibling Partnerships to Succeed in Succession
  • Having “The Talk:” Navigating the Family Business Succession Conversation with Your Parents
  • Family Business Succession: 15 Guidelines

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream.  Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com. 

Dairy Streamlet: Unique approach to succession planning with Barb Dartt

Learn more about BankFirst.

The Dairy Streamlet is a condensed version of a long Dairy Stream episode and covers the high-level points of the conversation. If this topic interest you, then listen to the full episode on April 1.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest, Barb Dartt, principal consultant for The Family Business Consulting Group, discuss assessing and aligning farm owners, biggest thorn, preparations and what’s next in the space of succession planning.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream.  Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com. 

DBA members help prevent local ordinance

Members of the Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin’s leading dairy advocacy group, demonstrated the positive impact farmers can have when they come together to prevent unnecessary and burdensome local ordinances designed to limit the productivity of dairy farms.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guests Erin Tomasik and Paul Fetzer discuss the following topics: 

• Rock Elm township local ordinance in Pierce County, Wisconsin
• Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permits
• Conversations leading up to the committee meeting
• DNR meeting with the town board
• Testifying at town board meetings
• Bridging the gap
• Monitoring local ordinances
• Running for local office

About the guests

• Erin Tomasik is the Community Relations Manager at the Voice of Milk, where she works to ensure farmer voices are represented on local policy issues. She supports the organization’s government affairs team as well as its permitting and regulatory efforts. Erin collaborates closely with members to connect them with resources, participate in important town meetings and advocate for practical change at the county level. With over 4 years of experience in agricultural advocacy, she has a strong commitment to supporting farmers and the dairy community. 
• Paul Fetzer is a retired dairy farmer and his family is running Fetzer Farm in El Paso, Wisconsin. Where they milk 1,400 cows and farm 3,000 acres. Paul is a past DBA board member and was awarded the 2024 DBA Advocate of the Year. 

Resources:

• DBA members help prevent local ordinance in Rock Elm, read here.
• Nutrient Management Planning resource  
• Livestock Facility Siting resource 
• Contact DBA team
• DBA policy priorities
• Connect with Erin, email Erin at etomasik@voiceofmilk.com 

Learn more about the Dairy Business Association.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream.  Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com. 

Rewind: Orion Samuelson: "I want to be remembered as a good listener"

Dairy Stream Rewind with Orion Samuelson on Jan. 13, 2021.

It was an honor to host the voice of agriculture. Dairy Stream's Mike Austin talks with farm broadcast legend Orion Samuelson about his over 60 years of broadcasting experience. Orion shares his favorite stories, gives advice, reminiscences on memories and shares future plans. 

WGN Radio shared a tribute to Orion here. 

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com. 

Dairy Streamlet: DBA members help prevent local ordinance

The Dairy Streamlet is a condensed version of a long Dairy Stream episode and covers the high-level points of the conversation. If this topic interest you, then listen to the full episode on March 18.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guests Erin Tomasik, community relations manager and Paul Fetzer, retired dairy farmer and DBA member board member, discuss the recent burdensome local ordinance designed to limit the productivity of dairy farms in Rock Elm township. They discuss the local ordinance, collaborative efforts, monitoring local ordinances and running for local office.

Resources:

• DBA members help prevent local ordinance in Rock Elm, read here.
• Nutrient Management Planning resource  
• Livestock Facility Siting resource 
• Contact DBA team
• DBA policy priorities
• Connect with Erin, email Erin at etomasik@voiceofmilk.com 

Learn more about the Dairy Business Association.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream.  Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com. 

Regenerative farming with Meadowbrook Dairy Inc. in Minnesota

Details matter and our guest doesn’t miss a beat sharing insight on the challenges and successes with regenerative farming practices.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest Alex Udermann of Meadowbrook Dairy Inc. discuss the following topics: 

• Meadowbrook Dairy’s start in regenerative farming
• Go-to cover crops
• Making educated decisions
• Soil health mentorship
• Most impactful equipment for regenerative practices
• Precision nutrient management practices
• What consumers are asking
• Conservation goals
• Improving animal health from in-field conservation efforts
• Perspective on feed additives
• What’s next for regenerative farming

About the guest

• Alex Udermann is a fifth-generation dairy, beef, and row crop farmer who operates alongside his parents, John and MaryLou, his wife Kirsten, and his brother Jake and sister-in-law Sam. Their farm focuses on regenerative practices including no-till, cover crops, and responsible nutrient and manure management. They also provide custom no-till planting, cover crop seeding, custom manure hauling, and direct-to-consumer beef sales. Alex serves as an active member and mentor with the MN Soil Health Coalition, helping educate farmers and communities on soil health practices   

Resources:

• Meadowbrook Farm website
• Follow Meadowbrook Dairy on Facebook.
• UM-Extension article on the Udermann family
• MN Soil Health Coalition website

Learn more about the Voice of Milk.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream.  Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com. 

Dairy Streamlet: Regenerative farming with Meadowbrook Dairy Inc. in Minnesota

The Dairy Streamlet is a condensed version of a long Dairy Stream episode and covers the high-level points of the conversation. If this topic interest you, then listen to the full episode on March 4.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest Alex Udermann of Meadowbrook Dairy Inc. discuss regenerative farming practices, precision nutrient management, what consumers are asking and what’s next for the future of regenerative farming practices.

About the guest

• Alex Udermann is a fifth-generation dairy, beef, and row crop farmer who operates alongside his parents, John and MaryLou, his wife Kirsten, and his brother Jake and sister-in-law Sam. Their farm focuses on regenerative practices including no-till, cover crops, and responsible nutrient and manure management. They also provide custom no-till planting, cover crop seeding, custom manure hauling, and direct-to-consumer beef sales. Alex serves as an active member and mentor with the MN Soil Health Coalition, helping educate farmers and communities on soil health practices   

Learn more about the Voice of Milk.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream.  Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com. 

Automating Hoof Health to Detect Lameness

Every step a dairy cow takes counts. There is a new tool available for farmers to detect lameness before it’s visible. Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest Tera Baker discuss the following topics: 

• Basics of hoof health care
• Automating hoof care
• Accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI) findings
• Materials needed on farm
• How it fits into a hoof care plan
• ROI
• Lifespan of equipment
• Advice to a farmer who is hesitant about adding AI on the farm
• Future of hoof health care

About the guest

• Tera Baker is the North American Marketing Manager for the NedapDairy Business, bringing a lifelong passion for agriculture and a career spanning multiple segments of the dairy industry. Originally from Three Oaks, Michigan, she holds a B.S. in Agribusiness Management from Michigan State University and an MBA from Central Michigan University. Tera’s career includes roles in pharmaceutical sales and leading the precision livestock sales unit at Topcon, and has spent time living and working with farms in Texas, Wisconsin, and Michigan in addition to national and international roles. She is especially energized by Nedap’s commitment to technology creation and its role as a key connector among leading brands serving progressive dairy farmers. Beyond her work at Nedap, Tera remains deeply rooted in agriculture. She farms cash crops with her family, co-owns a precision ag dealership with her husband, and operates a U-Pick flower farm experience. Tera brings a grounded yet forward-looking perspective on dairy technology, innovation, and the future of livestock management. 

Resources:

• SmartSight with Nedap
• Article on Nedap ignites the era of AI-powered vision technology with SmartSight

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream.  Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com. 

Dairy Streamlet: Automating Hoof Health to Detect Lameness

The Dairy Streamlet is a condensed version of a long Dairy Stream episode and covers the high-level points of the conversation. If this topic interest you, then listen to the full episode on Feb. 18.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest Tera Baker of Nedap discuss the basics of hoof health, automating hoof care, working with your hoof trimmer, artificial intelligence, ROI and the future of hoof health care.

This episode is sponsored by Nedap.

About the guest

• Tera Baker is the North American Marketing Manager for the NedapDairy Business, bringing a lifelong passion for agriculture and a career spanning multiple segments of the dairy industry. Originally from Three Oaks, Michigan, she holds a B.S. in Agribusiness Management from Michigan State University and an MBA from Central Michigan University. Tera’s career includes roles in pharmaceutical sales and leading the precision livestock sales unit at Topcon, and has spent time living and working with farms in Texas, Wisconsin, and Michigan in addition to national and international roles. She is especially energized by Nedap’s commitment to technology creation and its role as a key connector among leading brands serving progressive dairy farmers. Beyond her work at Nedap, Tera remains deeply rooted in agriculture. She farms cash crops with her family, co-owns a precision ag dealership with her husband, and operates a U-Pick flower farm experience. Tera brings a grounded yet forward-looking perspective on dairy technology, innovation, and the future of livestock management. 

 

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream.  Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com.