Dairy Stream

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. 

Milk pricing: Reform starts with farmer-processor relationship

With lingering memories of record-large milk check deductions, seemingly every group tied to dairy is now exploring options for milk pricing reform. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Mitch Davis of Davis Family Dairies, a member of Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative’s board of directors who served on a multi-state task force about milk pricing reform, and Dr. Marin Bozic, a nationally recognized dairy economist who serves as an adviser to the Edge board. They went in-depth on Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative's priorities and contracting principles. Thank you to BMO Harris Bank 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. 

Automation: The farm workforce of the future

Is it time for a change or updates? Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Richard Franta, capital sales specialist at DeLaval, about where to start when considering automation, what systems provide the best ROI and how to prepare for your transition. Thank you to DeLaval 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. 

Future of your milk check: Edge unveils milk pricing reform priorities

We are providing our listeners with an additional episode to introduce Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative's milk pricing reform priorities. Hear from Tim Trotter, CEO of Edge; Mitch Davis of Davis Family Dairies; and economist Dr. Marin Bozic. View the full list of milk pricing reform priorities 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.