Dairy Stream

Combating heat stress and preventing income loss

Heat stress in animal productivity has cost the U.S. beef and dairy industries an estimated $1.2 billion every year. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Tim Thompson, senior dairy specialist at Provimi, about implementing proper air movement, hydration and feed ration into a heat stress program. Thank you to Provimi, for sponsoring this podcast. 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.

Renewable natural gas projects: Understanding the basics and economics

The manure from dairy farms and their digesters are poised to play a big role in the future of renewable energy. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Brian Dolski, chief financial officer at Pagel’s Family Businesses, and Greg Steele, senior dairy lending specialist at Compeer Financial about the business structure, common challenges and economics of RNG projects. Thank you to Compeer Financial for sponsoring this podcast. 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.

*Link to a helpful resource from Newtrient 

How to utilize manure and increase profitability

Manure can be complex for farmers, but with proper management the benefits can be profitable. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Dr. Jamie Patton, soil scientist with the nutrient and pest management program at UW-Madison, on understanding the basic terms associated with manure, new technologies and techniques, steps to better manure management and the economic value of dairy manure. Thank you to The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin for sponsoring this podcast. 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.

*Link to the Runoff Risk Advisory Forecast tool

What to know about FMMOs and PPDs

As requested from our listeners, Dairy Stream dove into the topic of Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs) and Producer Price Differentials (PPDs). Mike Austin talks with Dr. Marin Bozic, assistant professor in dairy foods marketing economics at the University of Minnesota, about the usefulness of FMMOs, the causes of negative PPDs and how to solve issues related to pricing in the future. Thank you to Compeer Financial for sponsoring this podcast. 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.

Attention cheese lovers: Check out Cheeselandia

Cheeselandia is bringing together cheese enthusiasts that have a love for Wisconsin cheese. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Suzanne Fanning, senior vice president of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and chief marketing officer of Wisconsin Cheese to discuss the members of Cheeselandia, how cheese processors are involved and how a dairy farmer can engage with the group. Thank you to Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin for sponsoring this podcast. 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 women in leadership roles

Women are getting more involved in the dairy community and are finding themselves in leadership roles more often. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin spoke with three accomplished women about the value of leadership and advice they had for other women to get involved. Amy Penterman of Dutch Dairy, Heidi Fischer of Fischer-Clark Dairy Farm and Jamie Witcpalek of Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy talked in-depth about their challenges over the years and seizing the leadership opportunity when it arises. Thank you to Cargill for sponsoring this podcast. 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.

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

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. Thank you to Cargill for sponsoring this podcast. 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.

Farmer-led watershed conservation group measures progress

Science is showing that farmers across Wisconsin have been improving soil health and water quality through their involvement in a growing number of farmer-led watershed conservation groups. With its latest data in hand, the Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance (LASA) in southwestern Wisconsin shares the secrets of its success. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with conservation specialist Dana Christel at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, dairy farmer and LASA President Jim Winn and agronomist Ryan Temperly at Ross Soil Service. Thank you to The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin for sponsoring this podcast. 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.

New York dairy sees value in partnerships

Twin Birch Dairy in Skaneateles, New York, in the Owasco watershed did a study that found the water exiting the farm was actually cleaner than the water entering the farm. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Dirk Young, owner of Twin Birch Dairy, and Peter Rogers, board member of the Owasco Watershed Lake Association, about the study, sustainability practices used on the farm and more. Thank you to the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy for sponsoring this podcast. 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.

What the Wisconsin election means for dairy

The Dairy Business Association has kept a close eye on the election and what the results might mean for the dairy community going into 2021. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with John Holevoet, DBA's director of government affairs, about the dairy-friendly candidate endorsement process, changes in the Senate and Assembly and opportunities ahead. Thank you to Michael Best & Friedrich for sponsoring this podcast. 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.