Dairy Stream

Sustainability partnership nets farmers more income

Farmers in the Turkey Hill Clean Water Partnership are getting a premium on their milk check for implementing sustainability practices. Dairy Steam host Mike Austin talks to Lindsay Reames, director of sustainability and external relations for the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, and Jenna Mitchell, Pennsylvania state director for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, about the innovative group, which is a U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award winner. 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.

Dairy Innovation Hub: Analyzing the costs and benefits of manure management regulations

An exciting research project recently launched through the Dairy Innovation Hub analyzes the costs and benefits of manure management regulations for dairy farm economic viability and soil and water sustainability. The goal of this project is to analyze how and under what circumstances manure regulations improves water quality. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks to experts Dr. Jeremy Foltz, professor in the department of agricultural and applied economics at UW-Madison and Dr. Marin Skidmore, post-doc in the Nelson Institute for environmental studies at UW-Madison. Thanks to Agri-King 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 partnership utilizes subsurface manure drip irrigation

One of the 2020 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award winners is proof that organizations from different sectors can work together to improve complex sustainability challenges. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Ryan Flaherty, director of business partnerships at Sustainable Conservation, Richie Mayo, farm manager at De Jager Farms and Domonic Rossini, agronomic relationship manager at Netafim USA. They discuss the dip irrigation process, regulatory landscape, crop benefits 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. *Here is a link to the document referenced in the podcast.

Oregon’s largest dairy farm shares sustainability secrets

Threemile Canyon Farms in Boardman, Oregon, one of the winners of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award, approaches sustainability in a variety of ways, from a closed-loop system, a methane digester that produces renewable natural gas, feeding produce byproducts and more. They also had a lot of success with their internship program. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with general manager, Marty Myers, about how it all works together. 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.

Taking steps to improve water quality in Wisconsin

Based on recommendations from a water quality task force, the Wisconsin state Assembly in February 2020 passed a $10 million package of bills aimed at curbing water contamination, increasing well testing and bolstering conservation efforts. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Reps. Todd Novak and Katrina Shankland, who led the task force, about what has been accomplished so far, what steps might be needed and the stalled legislation’s prospects.  Thanks to GLC Minerals 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 customer of the future

COVID-19 has impacted the dairy customer of the future and normalized online grocery shopping. Dairy continues to be in the cart. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, about their marketing strategy towards customers, restaurants and grocery stores, advice for the dairy community to engage with the customer of the future and how to get involved. Thanks 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.

What are Producer Price Differentials (PPDs) and how does it impact your milk check

Confused by Producer Price Differentials (PPDs)? Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talked with Mark Stephenson, who is the director of dairy policy analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, about the Federal Milk Marketing Order, Producer Price Differentials (PPDs) and what they are and how they are calculated, what causes a negative PPD, the fluctuations in milk prices and the future outlook for milk checks. Stephenson also co-wrote this document to help make sense of your milk price during COVID-19. Thanks to Agri-King 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.

How to start a farmer-led watershed group

Farmer-led conservation groups have been growing in popularity as a way for farmers to expand conservation practices and document their progress in water quality and soil health. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Rachel Rushmann, Producer-led Program manager at Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; Steve Richter, director of agriculture strategies at The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin; and Lauren Brey, director of strategic partnerships and sustainability for the Dairy Strong Sustainability Alliance, who together created the Producer-led Group Roadmap: Finding Success in Farmer-Led Watershed Organizations, a new resource to guide farmers in their efforts. Thanks to GLC Minerals 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.

Farmers turned lawmakers: Advice on raising agriculture's voice in government

Fewer lawmakers today have a farming background even though agriculture remains an all-important part of our communities and country. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Wisconsin state Senator Howard Marklein and state Representative Dave Considine about their experiences on the farm and now at the Capitol. They encourage farmers to make their voices heard and they offer advice for farmers interested in running for office. 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.

Caring for dairy farm employees during COVID-19

Like other owners of essential businesses, dairy farmers are taking extra precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure their employees are healthy and safe. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Wisconsin dairy farmer Amy Penterman and dairy consultant Elsie Gonzalez about on-farm communication, safety and resources to help navigate this unusual situation. 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.