Dairy Stream

The topic of succession planning is something we will always continue to learn about and today we are taking a unique approach to succession planning and focusing on common misconceptions.  

Dairy Stream host Joanna Guza and guest, Attorney Will McKinley, discuss the following topics: 

• Most common misconception
• Who should be involved
• Timeline
• Estate plans
• ‘Fair means equal’
• ‘Sweat equity takes the place of wages’
• Giving up control of the farm
• Legal protection from outside forces
• What you should be asking your attorney
• Advice to young farmers

 About the guest:

• Will McKinley is the President and CEO of Menn Law Firm, a full-service law firm headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, with one of the state's largest agribusiness legal practices.  Will focuses primarily on helping farms and ag-related businesses with a wide range of legal issues, but in particular, Will enjoys working with farms on business succession planning.   

This is sponsored by the Menn Law Firm.

Resources:

• Menn Law Firm Agribusiness resource
• Contact Will:  William-Mckinley@mennlaw.com

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. 

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 Aug. 26.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest, Will McKinley, President and CEO of Menn Law Firm, discuss the most common misconception of farm succession planning, timeline of transitioning a farm, sweat equity, what you should be asking your attorney and advice to young farmers.

This is sponsored by the Menn Law Firm.

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.

Labor is the second biggest cost on the dairy farm. We want to help you analyze the labor on your farm to see what financially makes sense.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest, Brad Herkenhoff, discuss the following topics: 

• Biggest money and time suckers on the dairy farm
• Hidden cost with labor
• Healthy labor-cost-per-hundredweight
• Where to start when analyzing labor
• Automation options and pros/cons
• Low-hanging fruit with efficiency
• Reviewing the balance sheet
• Employee housing vs. paying higher wages
• Effective incentive-based pay structures
• Labor audits
• Farm transition mistakes when it comes to labor team
• Future of labor on the farm

About the guest

• Brad Herkenhoff is a Senior Dairy Lending Specialist at Compeer Financial.  His primary role at Compeer is to work closely with dairy clients providing industry expertise in finance strategy.  He is committed to working with dairy farm families on identifying their goals and helping to work towards them.  He works with dairies in MN and western WI.  Brad was born and raised in central MN where his family continues to operate a dairy farm. His brother and sister-in-law have taken over the now 5th generation family farm; however, Brad is still active in the farm primarily helping with agronomy work as needed. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance at St. Cloud State University and has been in the Ag lending industry for 20 years. He is active in local and community events and has been involved in the dairy industry his whole life. 

Learn more about Compeer Financial.

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. 

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 Aug. 12.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest, Brad Herkenhoff, Senior Dairy Lending Specialist at Compeer Financial, discuss the big money and time suckers on the farm, hidden labor costs, healthy labor-cost-per-hundredweight, reviewing balance sheet and the future of labor on the dairy farm.

Learn more about Compeer Financial.

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

Dairy Stream and the Menn Law Firm are proud to present the third annual “How We Got Here” podcast series featuring dairy farmers sharing the history of their farm and steps they have taken to get to where they are today.

Dairy Stream host Joanna Guza and guests, Chuck Ripp and Kailyn Kippley, third and fourth generations at Ripp’s Dairy Valley, discuss early influences, improvements to be better the farm, challenges, financial preparations and the future for the farm and dairy industry.

This three-part series is sponsored by the Menn Law Firm.

About the guests:

• Chuck Ripp is a third-generation farmer with his brothers, Troy and Gary, and they own Ripp’s Dairy Valley in Dane. They manage more than 1,800 head of cattle and farm 1,600 acres. Chuck was awarded the DBA Advocate of the Year award at the Dairy Strong conference for his contributions to the Wisconsin’s dairy community. He is also an a board member of Yahara Pride Farms.  
• Kailyn Kippley is the daughter of Chuck and the fourth generation to be taking over Ripp’s Dairy Valley. She has been working as the herdsperson since 2022.  

Season 1: How We Got Here (2024):

• How We Got Here: Norm E Lane in Chili, Wisconsin
• How We Got Here: Solhawk Dairy in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
• How We Got Here: Verhasselt Farms in Kaukauna, Wisconsin

Season 2: How We Got Here (2025):

• How We Got Here: Ocooch Dairy in Hillsboro, Wisconsin
• How We Got Here: Melichar Broad Acres in Port Washington, Wisconsin
• How We Got Here: Scheps Dairy in Almena, Wisconsin

Season 3: How We Got Here (2026):

• How We Got Here: Bomaz Farms in Hammond, Wisconsin
• Next episode releasing this fall.

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 Stream and the Menn Law Firm are proud to present the third annual “How We Got Here” podcast series featuring dairy farmers sharing the history of their farm and steps they have taken to get to where they are today. 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 July 29.

This three-part series is sponsored by the Menn Law Firm.

About the guests:

• Chuck Ripp is a third-generation farmer with his brothers, Troy and Gary, and they own Ripp’s Dairy Valley in Dane. They manage more than 1,800 head of cattle and farm 1,600 acres. Chuck was awarded the DBA Advocate of the Year award at the Dairy Strong conference for his contributions to the Wisconsin’s dairy community. He is also an a board member of Yahara Pride Farms.  
• Kailyn Kippley is the daughter of Chuck and the fourth generation to be taking over Ripp’s Dairy Valley. She has been working as the herdsperson since 2022.  

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. 

Components and beef on dairy are the strong themes in this interview. We dive into a farm’s true net revenue, historic high beef prices and future items to keep an eye on.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest, Dr. Megan Roberts, discuss the following topics: 

• Structural shifts occurring now compared to 5-10 years ago
• Diversification in dairy changing baseline stability
• Three items to note on your milk check
• Calculating a farm’s ‘true’ net revenue
• Hedging strategies
• Beef on dairy, herd rebuild
• Cost of purchasing vs raising a replacement heifer vs crossbred calf
• Less cull cows, what does the next 12–18-month dairy cycle projection
• Keeping an eye on in 2026 and into 2027

About the guest

• Dr. Megan Roberts is a seasoned agricultural economist at Compeer Financial, bringing experience in farm economics, agribusiness education and policy analysis. With deep roots in agriculture, Megan combines academic expertise and hands-on farming experience to provide real-world insights that help farmers navigate economic challenges and opportunities. Before joining Compeer, Megan spent years teaching agricultural economics and business in higher education, including leadership roles in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and as an Extension educator at the University of Minnesota. She holds a doctorate in agricultural education from Texas A&M University, along with a master’s and bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Beyond academia, Megan is a farmer herself, living on a farrow-to-finish hog, corn and soybean farm in southern Minnesota with her husband and son. Growing up on a dairy farm and now co-managing her family’s operation, she understands the day-to-day realities of farming, giving her a unique perspective that blends economic theory with practical application. Megan is a regular speaker at industry events and published author on farm business strategies and ag policy. Her ability to break down complex economic trends into actionable insights makes her a trusted resource for today’s farmers and agribusiness professionals.

This is sponsored by Compeer Financial.  

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 July 6

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 July 15.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest, Dr. Megan Roberts, agricultural economist at Compeer Financial, discuss the biggest structural shifts occurring now compared to 5-10 years ago, understanding a farm’s baseline with multi-commodity businesses, beef herd rebuild and what to keep an eye on in 2026 and into 2027.

This is sponsored by Compeer Financial.  

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 July 6

Deer Run Dairy completed energy-efficient upgrades with Focus on Energy since 2017 and they updated lighting, refrigeration, water systems and ventilation. Deer Run Dairy has earned $47,203.04 in Focus on Energy rebates to support these improvements and combined upgrades result in annual electricity savings of 839,511 kWh, which is equivalent to $105,946.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guests, Duane Ducat and Joel Roltgen, discuss the following topics: 

• Overview of savings at Deer Run Dairy
• How Deer Run learned about Focus on Energy
• Updating lighting, Deer Run Dair updated:
  • Replaced 250–1000W HID fixtures with efficient LED high-bay and exterior fixtures. 
  • Added LED troffers and direct-wire T8 replacements. 
  • Installed LLLC-enabled fixtures in select areas for advanced controls and additional savings. 
• Dairy refrigeration tune-ups
• VFDs on primary and secondary agricultural water systems
• Variable speed vacuum pumps
• High-speed ventilation fans with VFDs
• Initial investments
• Process of working with Focus on Energy
• What’s next for Deer Run Dairy in energy efficiency
• How to get started with Focus on Energy, find an advisor here.

About the guests

• Joel Roltgen is an Energy Advisor for Wisconsin's Focus on Energy Program, serving agricultural customers in northeastern Wisconsin. He joined Focus on Energy in 2019, providing operational efficiency strategies and financial incentives to agriculture operations and industry partners. Joel brings many years of engineering and management experience, having worked with employees at all levels in various industries.  

• Duane Ducat, who is one of the owners of Deer Run Dairy in Kewaunee, Wisconsin where they milk 1,800 cow and farm 3,000 acres. Duane is a board member of the Dairy, Business Association and Peninsula Pride Farms.  

This is sponsored by Focus on Energy.

Resources:

• Contact us at 800.762.7077 or business@focusonenergy.com
• Full list of opportunities here.
• Focus on Energy Trade Ally list here.
• 2026 Agribusiness catalog here
• Dairy Stream rewind: Unforeseen money savings and benefits of agricultural tune-ups
• Dairy Stream rewind: Save money through a farm energy assessment

• Top 5 Ways to Save Energy on Your Dairy and Livestock Farm

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. 

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 July 1.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guests, Duane Ducat, owner of Deer Run Dairy, and Joel Roltgen, agribusiness energy advisor with Focus on Energy, discuss the update made at Deer Run Dairy, which saved them thousands of dollars. We give an overview of the money saved, most impressive energy savings project, process of working with Focus on Energy and what’s next in the energy efficiency space for dairy.

This is sponsored by Focus on Energy.

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.