Dairy Stream

Dairy Strong Speaker Jeff Eggers: Adjust leadership style to adapt

The 2026 is Jan. 14-15 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, we hope you can join us - learn more at dairystrong.org.

We are showcasing past Dairy Strong conference speakers and some of the key highlights. Jeff Eggers is a leading senior policy advisor, best-selling author and organizational performance expert and former Navy SEAL. He has 20+ years of experience managing strategic efforts and leading high-stakes, high-performing teams during his time with the White House, Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy as a Navy SEAL. Jeff spoke at the 2025 Dairy Strong conference. 

Join us at Dairy Strong on January 14-15 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Gain timely political updates, dive into the dynamics of producer-processor relationships and learn strategies to sustain a stronger future for dairy through innovation and collaboration. United together, we’re leading with purpose—one person, one policy and one farm at a time. To learn more, visit dairystrong.org.

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. 

 

How We Got Here: Melichar Broad Acres in Port Washington, Wisconsin

Voice of Milk and BMO are proud to bring back the “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 Adam and Kendall Melichar, owners of Melichar Broad Acres, and Jen Peal of BMO discuss early influences, improvements to better the farm, challenges, financial preparations and the future of the farm and dairy industry.

This three-part series is sponsored by BMO.

About the guests:

• Adam and Kendall Melichar, owners of Melichar Broad Acres in Port Washington, Wisconsin where they milk 1,750 cows and farm 1,700 acres.  

• Jen Peal is an agricultural banking officer for BMO and manages a portfolio of diverse production agricultural and agribusiness related customers with a focus on dairy farms. She has over 20 years of banking experience.  

2025 Season 2: How We Got Here Podcast series

• How We Got Here: Ocooch Dairy in Hillsboro, Wisconsin

2024 Season 1: How We Got Here Podcast series

• 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

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. 

Join us at Dairy Strong on January 14-15 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Gain timely political updates, dive into the dynamics of producer-processor relationships and learn strategies to sustain a stronger future for dairy through innovation and collaboration. United together, we’re leading with purpose—one person, one policy and one farm at a time. To learn more, visit dairystrong.org.

Dairy Streamlet: How We Got Here: Melichar Broad Acres in Port Washington, Wisconsin

Voice of Milk and BMO are proud to bring back the “How We Got Here” podcast series featuring dairy farmers sharing the history of their farm and the 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 Nov. 5.

This three-part series is sponsored by BMO.

About the guests:

• Adam and Kendall Melichar, owners of Melichar Broad Acres in Port Washington, Wisconsin where they milk 1,750 cows and farm 1,700 acres.  

• Jen Peal is an agricultural banking officer for BMO and manages a portfolio of diverse production agricultural and agribusiness related customers with a focus on dairy farms. She has over 20 years of banking experience.  

2025 Season 2: How We Got Here Podcast series

• How We Got Here: Ocooch Dairy in Hillsboro, Wisconsin

2024 Season 1: How We Got Here Podcast series

• 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

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. 

Join us at Dairy Strong on January 14-15 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Gain timely political updates, dive into the dynamics of producer-processor relationships and learn strategies to sustain a stronger future for dairy through innovation and collaboration. United together, we’re leading with purpose—one person, one policy and one farm at a time. To learn more, visit dairystrong.org.

How We Got Here: Ocooch Dairy in Hillsboro, Wisconsin

Voice of Milk and BMO are proud to bring back the “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 Jim Mlsna, owner of Ocooch Dairy, and Brad Guse of BMO discuss early influences, improvements to better the farm, challenges, financial preparations and the future of the farm and dairy industry.

This three-part series is sponsored by BMO.

About the guests:

• Jim Mlsna is the owner of Ocooch Dairy in Hillsboro, Wisconsin where they milk 950 cows and farm 1,450 acres.  

• Brad Guse manages a portfolio of diverse production agricultural relationships made up of primarily dairy farm accounts. Brad has over 30 years of experience in agricultural banking. 

2024 Season 1: How We Got Here Podcast series

• 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

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. 

Join us at Dairy Strong on January 14-15 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Gain timely political updates, dive into the dynamics of producer-processor relationships and learn strategies to sustain a stronger future for dairy through innovation and collaboration. United together, we’re leading with purpose—one person, one policy and one farm at a time. To learn more, visit dairystrong.org.

Dairy Streamlet: How We Got Here: Ocooch Dairy in Hillsboro, Wisconsin

Voice of Milk and BMO are proud to bring back the “How We Got Here” podcast series featuring dairy farmers sharing the history of their farm and the 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 Oct. 15.

This three-part series is sponsored by BMO.

About the guests:

• Jim Mlsna is the owner of Ocooch Dairy in Hillsboro, Wisconsin, where they milk 950 cows and farm 1,450 acres.  

• Brad Guse manages a portfolio of diverse production agricultural relationships made up of primarily dairy farm accounts. Brad has over 30 years of experience in agricultural banking. 

2024 Season 1: How We Got Here Podcast series

• 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

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. 

Join us at Dairy Strong on January 14-15 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Gain timely political updates, dive into the dynamics of producer-processor relationships and learn strategies to sustain a stronger future for dairy through innovation and collaboration. United together, we’re leading with purpose—one person, one policy and one farm at a time. To learn more, visit dairystrong.org.

Farm succession planning — including non-family members

Farm transition plans are starting to include non-family members and it offers unique opportunities and challenges in succession planning. We will cover how transition plans have evolved, lending support, essential items, tools, economic pressures and policy items.  Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest Bill Oppriecht of Compeer Financial discuss the following topics: 

• Evolution of farm transitions
• Lender support
• Essential items
• What’s driving the shift to non-family members
• Successful example of a blended farm ownership
• Risks for non-family members
• Lending tools or resources
• Biggest challenge
• Economic pressures
• Advice to dairy owners who don’t have a successor
• Policy
• Reviewing transition plans

Special thanks to Compeer Financial for sponsoring this episode.

About the guest

• Bill Oppriecht is a senior dairy lending specialist at Compeer Financial. He has been part of the Farm Credit System for more than 11 years, with the last six years focusing specifically on dairy operations. Bill grew up on a small dairy farm and uses that background to help support dairy producers in southern Wisconsin. Bill graduated from University of Wisconsin-Platteville, double majoring in ag business and animal science with a dairy emphasis. He is a member of Dairy Business Association, Professional Dairy Producers, Farm Bureau and the Wisconsin Holstein Association. Bill resides in southwestern Wisconsin with his wife, Heidi, and two sons, Alex and Evan. 

Resources

• Success in Succession Planning series (1 of 3): How to get organized
• Success in Succession Planning series (2 of 3): Financial analysis
• Success in Succession Planning series (3 of 3): Legal and mediation
• Dairy Streamlet: Succession planning and creating generational wealth
• Succession planning and creating generational wealth

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. 

Join us at Dairy Strong on January 14-15 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Gain timely political updates, dive into the dynamics of producer-processor relationships and learn strategies to sustain a stronger future for dairy through innovation and collaboration. United together, we’re leading with purpose—one person, one policy and one farm at a time. To learn more, visit dairystrong.org.

Dairy Streamlet: Farm succession planning — including non-family members

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 September 24.

Farm transition planning is an important topic that we continue to cover on Dairy Stream as new tools and insights are shared. Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest Bill Oppriecht of Compeer Financial discuss essential items, involving non-family members, resources and how to keep tabs on your succession plan.

Special thanks to Compeer Financial for sponsoring this episode.

About the guest

• Bill Oppriecht is a senior dairy lending specialist at Compeer Financial. He has been part of the Farm Credit System for more than 11 years, with the last six years focusing specifically on dairy operations. Bill grew up on a small dairy farm and uses that background to help support dairy producers in southern Wisconsin. Bill graduated from University of Wisconsin-Platteville, double majoring in ag business and animal science with a dairy emphasis. He is a member of Dairy Business Association, Professional Dairy Producers, Farm Bureau and the Wisconsin Holstein Association. Bill resides in southwestern Wisconsin with his wife, Heidi, and two sons, Alex and Evan. 

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. 

Join us at Dairy Strong on January 14-15 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Gain timely political updates, dive into the dynamics of producer-processor relationships and learn strategies to sustain a stronger future for dairy through innovation and collaboration. United together, we’re leading with purpose—one person, one policy and one farm at a time. To learn more, visit dairystrong.org.

 

Digital twins and environmental modeling

If you’re the next generation to take over the family farm, you will want to learn about digital twins and environmental modeling. We will cover what it is, what digital insights to track, affordable data sources, risk, engaging policy makers, protecting data and the future of this technology. Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest Dr. Bruno Basso discuss the following topics: 

• What are digital twins and environmental modeling
• Projects Dr. Basso has worked on
• What insights to track
• Affordable and popular data sources
• Is this risky?
• How to engage lawmakers
• Protecting data
• Other industries using this technology
• Next generation of sustainable crop nutrition

Special thanks to Pivot Bio for sponsoring this episode.

About the guest

• Dr. Bruno Basso, professor of earth and environmental sciences, integrates diverse disciplines such as biophysics, climatology, hydrology, genetics, agronomy and soil science to understand the spatial and temporal variabilities of crop yield and environmental outcomes in agricultural systems. With a focus on sustainable row crop production, Basso is harnessing advanced UAV technology and predictive process-based models to quantify the impact of current and future climate, soil, genetics and management on crop yield and ecosystem services. 

Resources

• Bruno Basso - Digital Twins to Scale Sustainable Agricultural Systems YouTube video
• 2025 MSU Tech Transfer Achievement Award-Bruno Basso’s Crop Yield Modeling System article
• Dr. Bruno Basso’s Lab with Michigan State University

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. 

Join us at Dairy Strong on January 14-15 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Gain timely political updates, dive into the dynamics of producer-processor relationships and learn strategies to sustain a stronger future for dairy through innovation and collaboration. United together, we’re leading with purpose—one person, one policy and one farm at a time. To learn more, visit dairystrong.org.

Dairy Streamlet: Digital twins and environmental modeling

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 Sept. 3.

Digital twin and environmental modeling will be a valuable tool for farmers in the near future. Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest Dr. Bruno Basso of Michigan State University discuss the what it is, affordable and popular data sources, risk, engaging with policy makers and the future of sustainable crop nutrition.

Special thanks to Pivot Bio for sponsoring this episode.

About the guest

• Dr. Bruno Basso, professor of earth and environmental sciences, integrates diverse disciplines such as biophysics, climatology, hydrology, genetics, agronomy and soil science to understand the spatial and temporal variabilities of crop yield and environmental outcomes in agricultural systems. With a focus on sustainable row crop production, Basso is harnessing advanced UAV technology and predictive process-based models to quantify the impact of current and future climate, soil, genetics and management on crop yield and ecosystem services. 

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. 

Join us at Dairy Strong on January 14-15 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Gain timely political updates, dive into the dynamics of producer-processor relationships and learn strategies to sustain a stronger future for dairy through innovation and collaboration. United together, we’re leading with purpose—one person, one policy and one farm at a time. To learn more, visit dairystrong.org.

Adaptive strategies to combat the shifting weather patterns

We are taking a big picture look at the challenges mother nature has brought us and how farmers are overcoming these challenges. We will cover adaptive strategies farmers are implementing, crop selection, new technologies, pest control and more. Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest Chris Clark of UW-Extension discuss the following topics: 

• Shifting weather patterns and the impact on planting and harvesting windows
• Adaptive strategies
• Crop selection and varieties
• Emerging best practices in nitrogen and phosphorus
• Compaction in the Midwest
• Data tools for in-season decision making
• New or increasing pest and disease threats
• Agronomic trends or challenges in the next 3-5 years
• Resources for farmer education

Special thanks to Pivot Bio for sponsoring this episode.

About the guest

• Chris Clark is an agronomic outreach specialist with Northeast Wisconsin for the nutrient and pest management team for the University of Wisconsin Division of Extension. Chris partners, cooperates and brings together farmers, researchers and industry providing agronomy outreach she focuses on crop and soil nutrient use. Chris began her role at Extension in 2023. Prior to joining Extension, Chris worked in private sector agronomy lab testing for 12 years, and as a agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor for 9 years. She has a BA in Agricultural Education from UW-River Falls and is a Wisconsin Certified Crop Advisor and has been a member of the WI CCA board for 6 years. 

Resources

• Wisconet
• Ag Weather Outlook
• Agriculture Data | Wisconsin State Climatology Office
• UW Extension Agriculture- Agriculture – Extension
• Farmer-led services through Farmers for Sustainable Food
• Find a farmer-led group near you

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. 

Join us at Dairy Strong on January 14-15 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Gain timely political updates, dive into the dynamics of producer-processor relationships and learn strategies to sustain a stronger future for dairy through innovation and collaboration. United together, we’re leading with purpose—one person, one policy and one farm at a time. To learn more, visit dairystrong.org.