Dairy Stream

Preparing for the next 10 years in dairy

Forecasting the future is no small task. In this episode of Dairy Stream, Iowa dairy farmer Christina Zuiderveen shares how the dairy community can prepare for the next ten years of dairy. New Dairy Stream host Joanna Guza dives into the topics below with Christina:

• 3:12: What was happening with Christina and her farm ten years ago in 2013
• 4:59: What issues will be top of mind from 2023 to 2033
• 11:13: What are the top concerns that we need to start working on right now
• 12:21: What have you automated and what are your plan for automation
• 14:08: What will relationships look like in the next ten years
• 15:52: How should a farm and/or processor communicate about expansion goals
• 17:20: What opportunities do you see in the next ten years
• 21:27: How can farms prepare for challenges and opportunities
• 22:40: How can dairy businesses better support farms
• 25:43: How can we have a better relationship with our policymakers
• 26:35: What trends should dairy be tracking outside of agriculture
• 29:20: What advice do you have for dairymen and women to be successful

Special thanks to Compeer Financial for sponsoring this episode.

About the guest, Christina Zuiderveen

Christina grew up on dairy farms in both California and Michigan. She moved to Iowa in 2012 with her husband, Nate.  They milk 2,700 at their home farm, Black Soil Dairy, in Iowa and also work with her brother, Tim den Dulk, at two sites in South Dakota, Dakota Plains and Mount Hope. With all three sites, they milk about 15,000 cows. Christina has served on the Central Plains Dairy Association board and currently serving on the Iowa State Dairy Association Board and school board of their Christian School. Christina also had the privilege of testifying before the Senate Ag Subcommittee on milk price reform. Along with being a farmer and wife, she is also a mother of three children.

Learn more about the Dairy Strong conference Jan. 18-19 2023 here. This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. 

Dairy Streamlet: Preparing for the next 10 years in dairy

The Dairy Streamlet is a new, condensed version of Dairy Stream that takes the long episode and covers just the high-level points of the conversation. If this topic interests you and you’ like to learn more, we encourage you to listen to the Jan. 18 episode. 

Dairy Stream host Joanna Guza asks three questions to dairy farmer, Christina Zuiderveen, about her top concerns for the next ten years in dairy, how farmers should prepare and advice to be successful.

Special thanks to Compeer Financial for sponsoring this episode.

About the guest, Christina Zuiderveen

Christina grew up on dairy farms in both California and Michigan. She moved to Iowa in 2012 with her husband, Nate.  They milk 2,700 at their home farm, Black Soil Dairy, in Iowa and also work with her brother, Tim den Dulk, at two sites in South Dakota, Dakota Plains and Mount Hope. With all three sites, they milk about 15,000 cows. Christina has served on the Central Plains Dairy Association board and currently serving on the Iowa State Dairy Association Board and school board of their Christian School. Christina also had the privilege of testifying before the Senate Ag Subcommittee on milk price reform. Along with being a farmer and wife, she is also a mother of three children.

Learn more about the Dairy Strong conference Jan. 18-19 here, use promocode DAIRYSTREAM to receive 10 percent off your registration. This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. 

Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com. 

Part 2: Looking back with an eye on the future

The first part of this episode was released on Dec. 28 and was a reflection of Dairy Stream and Mike Austin's time as a farm broadcaster and podcast host. This episode dives into listener feedback and the 2023 Dairy Stream focus.

This episode covers:

• 1:41: Feedback from Dairy Stream listeners
• 5:27: Dairy Stream focus for 2023 
• 8:48: Mike's perspective on topics Dairy Stream should focus on 
• 13:27: Mike's closing comments and final signoff 

Learn more about the Dairy Strong conference Jan. 18-19 here, use promocode DAIRYSTREAM to receive 10 percent off your registration. This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. 

 

 

Part 1: Looking back with an eye on the future

Dairy Stream reflects on its almost three year anniversary and Mike Austin shares insight from his over 40 year farm broadcasting to podcasting experiences. You also hear from the new Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza. 

This episode covers:

• 2:30: Mike shares where agriculture was 40 years ago to today
• 11:02: Joanna shares where agriculture and podcasting was 3 years ago to now  
• 17:20: Top Dairy Stream episodes 
• 27:14: What Mike has learned from being a farm broadcaster to podcast host

Part 2 will cover Dairy Stream listener feedback and the 2023 focus.

Learn more about the Dairy Strong conference Jan. 18-19 here, use promocode DAIRYSTREAM to receive 10 percent off your registration. This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. 

Dairy Feed in Focus: A menu approach to improve your farm

The Dairy Feed in Focus program offers a menu approach for all size farms to improve conservation efforts. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Ricardo Costa, agricultural strategy manager at The Nature Conservancy, Mercedes Talvitie, farm sustainability analyst at Foremost Farms USA and Derek Jacobs, farm manager and one of the owners of Jacobs Hillview Dairy in Hilbert, Wisconsin about the program. They discuss efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through conservation practices, feed additives, targeted fertilization and the economic benefits of the program. Thank you to The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin for sponsoring this episode. 

TO JOIN AND LEARN MORE, CONTACT:

• Interested farmers that ship to Foremost Farms in Wisconsin or Michigan Milk Producers Association in Michigan, contact Ricardo Costa at Ricardo.costa@tnc.org
• Processors interested in learning more and bringing the project to their area can contact us at soil@tnc.org
• Learn more at www.nature.org/workinglands 

Learn more about the Dairy Strong conference Jan. 18-19 here, use promocode DAIRYSTREAM to receive 10 percent off your registration. This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. 

Could dairy be the next craft beer? The future of dairy beverages

There are opportunities and optimism in the future of dairy beverages. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with John Lucey, director at the Center for Dairy Research, about 'craft milk,' shelf-stable and value-added products and exporting dairy beverages. He shares the opportunities dairy has in creating functional products and improving packaging. Thank you to Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin for sponsoring this episode. 

 

Learn more about the Dairy Strong conference Jan. 18-19 here, use promocode DAIRYSTREAM to receive 10 percent off your registration. 

This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. 

National-scale project examines dairy’s greenhouse gas footprint

Across eight states, dairy farms are participating in the Dairy Soil and Water Regeneration Project to determine dairy farms' greenhouse gas footprint. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talked with Mara Cloutier, a Ph.D in soil science and biogeochemistry with the Soil Health Institute, and Lee Kinnard, dairy farmer of Kinnard Farms in Casco, Wis. They discussed carbon associated with cover crops, reduced tillage, different manure-based products and how soil health practices are practical on all-sized dairies. Thank you to The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin for sponsoring this episode. 

Learn more about the Dairy Strong conference Jan. 18-19 here, discount registration ends Nov. 1. This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. 

Making sense of Wisconsin’s dollars

Policy decisions made today impact the future of Wisconsin agriculture. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin visited with Jason Stein, research director at the Wisconsin Policy Forum, about the rural roads and the transportation budget, workforce development, taxes, broadband and key themes in the next state budget. Thank you to Compeer Financial for sponsoring this episode.

Learn more about the Dairy Strong conference Jan. 18-19 here, discount registration ends Nov. 1. This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. 

Sustainability focus includes methane reduction, no-till and cover crops

Deer Run Dairy in Kewaunee County takes a holistic approach to sustainability focusing on no-till, cover crops, methane reduction and more. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Duane Ducat, owner of Deer Run Dairy, and Lauren Brey, managing director of Farmers for Sustainable Food about Deer Run Dairy being recognized as one of four Outstanding Dairy Farms with a U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award. The farm was specifically highlighted for its involvement and progress in a three-year sustainability project and eye-opening experiences on the dairy. Thank you to The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin for sponsoring this episode. 

This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. 

Adopt a Cow for your classroom

Encourage your community to discover dairy by joining the Adopt a Cow program for free! Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Karen Doster, director of youth and school programs at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, and Heather Jauquet, dairy farmer at Synergy Dairy. They discuss the logistics of the program, commitment of the farms involved and curriculum takeaways. Thank you to Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin for sponsoring this episode. 

Learn more and register for the Adopt a Cow program by Sept. 15, here. Farmers that are interested in participating in the program, contact Karen at kdoster@wisconsindairy.org. 

This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.