Raising healthy calves isn’t just about helping them survive their first weeks—it’s about setting them up for lifetime productivity. One of the biggest factors in long-term success? Gut health. In this episode, Taylor Wolfe, a territory sales representative with DBC Ag Products, shares what she’s seeing on Northeast dairy farms and why prioritizing gut health and immune support from day one leads to healthier, more productive calves. Wolfe also explains what sets First Arrival® apart and how pro...
Apr 24, 2025•11 min•Season 7Ep. 16
Connecticut dairy producer Amanda Freund recently took the national stage to promote her product Cow Pots (and in turn, the dairy industry) during a televised episode of Shark Tank. Host Kimmi Devaney sat down with her to learn about this experience and how this product has changed manure management on their farm over the past 20-plus years, how diversifying their farm has been a game changer and so much more. This is a high-energy episode you won’t want to miss. Contact Freund at cowpots.com, @...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 7Ep. 15
Afimilk recently released the first product to accurately identify individual cow dry matter intake and calculate the feed efficiency of each animal. Product manager, Veronica Shabtai, DVM, shares the research behind the ground-breaking development and producer Jacob de Jong from Parkview Dairy in California, talks about how he's used the service to enhance the accuracy and profitability of his culling decisions. Listen to hear that and more. This episode is sponsored by Afimilk ....
Apr 21, 2025•16 min•Season 7Ep. 14
Dairy farmers have several options when designing and implementing beef-on-dairy programs. One approach is breeding dairy cows to beef sires, producing crossbred calves that enter the beef value chain. However, an increasing number of dairies are choosing HerdFlex beef embryos , which result in full-beef calves. Evaluating embryo quality is crucial for dairy farmers when considering beef-on-dairy options. Understanding the processes involved with these embryos is essential, and we provide compre...
Apr 10, 2025•18 min•Season 7Ep. 13
There’s a new type of AI in town, and one you might not be as familiar with. Shari van de Pol, CEO of Cattleytics, joins host Matti McBride to explain how and why dairies can benefit from artificial intelligence. Learn the different types of AI, what applications you might use it for and understand the benefits and limitations of this technology.
Apr 08, 2025•29 min•Season 7Ep. 12
Brad Peterson, VP of Sales at Total Farm Marketing, discusses how AI-powered tools and proactive strategies are transforming dairy marketing and risk management. He explores how the TFM360 system uses AI and data-driven insights to help dairy farmers optimize milk pricing, manage feed and fuel costs, and navigate market volatility. Brad also shares how Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) insurance works alongside these strategies to provide a safety net against downturns. Learn how Total Farm Marketi...
Apr 03, 2025•15 min•Season 7Ep. 11
On this Progressive Dairy Podcast , Matt Dodd, DVM, a Ruminant Field Technical Specialist with Diamond V, shares strategies to support the herd throughout the marathon of heat stress season. As the season progresses, producers implement different strategies to help the herd combat heat and humidity. He will dive into pre-season prep, management adjustments and the use of additives, such as Diamond V™ Ice Plus, to support maintaining milk production and reproductive health. As temperatures rise, ...
Mar 27, 2025•12 min•Season 7Ep. 10
Tune into this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to learn about dairy policy, what is new in Washington D.C. and how it is affecting dairy right now from Gregg Doud, who is the president and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). Here's a breakdown of the episode: [~1:05] Overview of Doud’s background, previous roles, etc. [~5:00] Doud shares what’s new in Washington D.C. in the past few months since the new administration took office [~5:55] A comparison between the two Trump ...
Mar 25, 2025•57 min•Season 7Ep. 9
Join host Matti McBride as she chats with Ryan Leiterman, director of technical services at Crystal Creek Natural, about calf barn ventilation. Learn the difference between a good or bad draft in calf barns, Leiterman’s suggestions for design and his recommendations for airspeed in barns. Here is the episode breakdown: 0:40 – Leiterman’s background 2:00 – Defining a draft 4:20 – A recipe for a “bad draft” 10:05 – Amount of fresh air a calf should have 16:11 – What does the smell of ammonia tell ...
Mar 11, 2025•40 min•Season 7Ep. 8
This podcast explores the role of probiotics in maintaining the health and productivity of dairy cows and calves. It highlights how specific probiotic strains enhance gut health, digestion, and immune function, leading to improved herd stability and fewer health challenges. Key points: Strain Selection Matters : Not all probiotics are equal—specific strains provide targeted benefits, making strain selection crucial for effective probiotic use. Probiotics and Digestive Health : Beneficial bacteri...
Feb 27, 2025•24 min•Season 7Ep. 7
In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast , learn how to set your star employees up for success as they transition into a supervisor role. Dr. Bob Milligan joins host Kimmi Devaney to chat about easing stress during this leadership transition, getting buy-in from other employees as their peer becomes their supervisor, skills that are essential to work on before transitioning into a leadership role and much more. This episode can also help those employees hoping to move up into a superviso...
Feb 25, 2025•44 min•Season 7Ep. 6
DMI’s Megan Maisano and Aris Georgiadis speak with DMI’s Scott Wallin about how the checkoff is sharing dairy’s impact on children with the “First 1000 Days”. She also explains how the checkoff is promoting this research through our nutrition and health professionals and to consumers via trusted online resource centers. Tune in to find out! Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast The Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast offers firsthand perspectives on examples of local, national and global checkoff collaborations t...
Feb 20, 2025•23 min•Season 7Ep. 5
Veterinarian Michelle Schack joins host Matti McBride on this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to discuss the importance of employee training and management. Learn more about why documentation, communication and repetition matters regarding training. Here is the episode breakdown: 0:50 – Schack’s background 1:40 – The importance of documentation 3:08 – Training at onboarding 6:00 – Schack explains how DairyKind works 7:20 – Schack’s suggestions for finding time for training 11:30 – Bridg...
Feb 11, 2025•24 min•Season 7Ep. 4
Mental health among veterinarians has been a hot topic in the industry for several years. In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast , Dr. Jen Roberts from Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) joins host Kimmi Devaney to discuss the importance of mental health among veterinarians and dairy producers, examine survey data and share some tips for how people involved in agriculture can improve their physical and mental well-being to be their best selves. Link to BI’s Share the Weight program Link to Prog...
Jan 28, 2025•42 min•Season 7Ep. 3
HerdFlex beef embryos are great tool for dairies that are taking advantage of the beef on dairy trend. Embryos offer more than obtaining calves with a higher market value. A number of farms have also found embryos can have a positive impact on dairy herd reproductive performance, especially in the case of cows that have been bred with semen multiple times without conceiving. This episode is sponsored by Simplot Animal Sciences. Simplot's Animal Sciences team uses an innovative approach to provid...
Jan 16, 2025•14 min•Season 7Ep. 2
In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast , Bethany Dado-Senn of Vita Plus joins host Matti McBride to discuss calf care. Learn from Dado-Senn as she discusses the importance of colostrum quality and management, general sanitation, calf management in the winter months, the benefits of pair housing calves and more. Here is the episode breakdown: 0:50 – Dado-Senn’s background 2:15 – The importance of sanitation and plane of nutrition 4:20 – Colostrum management 5:40 – Feeding colostrum and ...
Jan 14, 2025•33 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Join Progressive Dairy Podcast co-hosts Kimmi Devaney, Walt Cooley and Matti McBride – along with special guest David Cooper, who is the managing editor of Progressive Cattle magazine – for a recap of their favorite articles, podcast episodes and some of the biggest dairy news stories of 2024. Stay tuned to the end for an entertaining New Year's-themed round of rapid-fire questions to learn what they want to forget from the last year, New Year’s resolutions and more. Listen to the biosecurity ep...
Dec 31, 2024•53 min•Season 6Ep. 57
Join Wisconsin dairy farmer Dan Scheps and agronomist Parker Heise as they discuss the benefits of HarvXtra® Alfalfa. From improved forage quality and harvest flexibility to the potential for increased milk production and feed efficiency, this episode covers why HarvXtra® Alfalfa is a must for modern dairy operations. Tune in to learn how it can help boost your farm's productivity and profitability. This episode is sponsored by Forage Genetics International. For more than 30 years, FGI has led t...
Dec 26, 2024•17 min•Season 6Ep. 56
USDA reports indicate that the incidence rate of mastitis has increased from 13% in 1996 to 25% in 2014. Considering the average case of clinical mastitis in the United States costs an average of $569, it’s imperative for dairy producers to adopt protocols to prevent this costly disease. Dr. Craig Louder, Axiota® technical service veterinarian, joins us to discuss the importance of udder health, the role of strategic trace mineral supplementation on milk quality , and how producers can help supp...
Dec 19, 2024•23 min•Season 6Ep. 55
Join host Kimmi Devaney as she chats with Oregon dairy producer and Progressive Dairy columnist Dwayne Faber about moving the dairies to another state, how he keeps employees motivated when he cannot always be there, the qualities he looks for in key employees and what has surprised him most during the transition from managing two farms nearby to managing them from afar. Here is a breakdown of the episode: [~1:10] About you and your farms [~2:25] What it was like starting a dairy in 2009 [~3:20]...
Dec 17, 2024•29 min•Season 6Ep. 54
It’s the big question. And the one Dr. Todd Bilby is asked most often. What can a dairy do to boost repro efficiency? In this Progressive Dairy sponsorcast, listen in as Dr. Bilby, Merck Animal Health Director of Dairy Technical Services, discusses his repro philosophy and what solutions move margins. Episode highlights include: Using technology to increase hormone effectiveness Comparing prostaglandin products Management decisions that matter most This episode is sponsored by Merck Animal Healt...
Dec 12, 2024•10 min•Season 6Ep. 53
Join Barb O’Brien, CEO of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), and Marilyn Hershey, a Pennsylvania dairy farmer and Chair of DMI, as they explore the exciting “dairy renaissance” fueled by rising consumer engagement, health professional endorsements, and cutting-edge social media campaigns, the dairy industry is experiencing a powerful revival. O’Brien delves into the “Now, Next, Future” strategy—where the “Now” focuses on delivering immediate results, the “Next” emphasizes continued investment in scien...
Dec 05, 2024•14 min•Season 6Ep. 52
Fifth-generation dairy farmer from Amelia Court House, Virginia, Jeremy Moyer joins host Matti McBride on this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast . Learn about Oakmulgee Dairy Farm, a new robotic milking facility, the decision to invest in a methane digester, advice Moyer has for producers considering large investments at their dairy and more. Here is the episode breakdown: 0:28 – About Oakmulgee Dairy Farm 1:40 – Making the decision to invest in a methane digester 4:00 – Unique properties...
Dec 03, 2024•23 min•Season 6Ep. 51
What would you do to protect the most vulnerable group on the farm? For Iowa dairy producer James Vander Waal, the answer was found in a first-of-its-kind technology. In this Progressive Dairy sponsorcast, listen in as Merck Animal Health Customer Success Specialist Sarah Anderson and Vander Waal discuss why he committed to SenseHub Dairy Youngstock monitoring, what the results have been and what he’d say to other dairy producers about youngstock monitoring. Episode highlights include: Labor ben...
Nov 21, 2024•11 min•Season 6Ep. 50
In this two-part episode, hear from Dana Coale – deputy administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Dairy Programs at the USDA – about the five areas of milk pricing included in the USDA’s Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) final decision, and learn about the referendum process. Later in the episode, Alex Gambonini joins host Kimmi Devaney to discuss the impact these proposed amendments may have on milk prices. Dairy producers and cooperatives will have until Dec. 31, 2024, to cas...
Nov 19, 2024•58 min•Season 6Ep. 49
In this episode, Steve Pavelski, Nedap large herd specialist, discusses the value of new cow sorting technology in simplifying herd management and helping farmers save time and labor. He explains how Nedap’s new SmartSort sort gate system integrates RFID technology to automate sorting to streamline tasks like health checks and breeding. Doing so allows farms to efficiently sort cows without disrupting daily operations, ultimately improving both cow comfort and operational efficiency. Here’s the ...
Nov 14, 2024•16 min•Season 6Ep. 48
Raising resilient calves begins with high-quality nutrition in early life. Focusing on gut health and microbiome development creates a solid foundation for future productivity. Calves that receive proper early-life nutrition are better equipped to face disease challenges and grow into optimal cows that deliver strong performance throughout their lives. Dr. Jill Soderstrom, milk replacer solutions specialist for Purina Animal Nutrition, joins us today to share why maintaining a healthy gut and mi...
Nov 07, 2024•17 min•Season 6Ep. 47
In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast , Jamie Sullivan of Rippleview Hoof Care joins host Matti McBride to discuss hoof care. Learn how Sullivan got his start in hoof trimming, his take on misconceptions surrounding lameness, tips for detecting lameness, the importance of a designated trim area and more. Here is the episode breakdown: 1:00 – Get to know Jamie Sullivan 2:40 – Sullivan’s take on lameness misconceptions 5:15 – The importance of recordkeeping of hoof treatments 7:30 – Com...
Nov 06, 2024•23 min•Season 6Ep. 46
How can dairy producers and nutritionists know if their prebiotics or probiotics are worth the investment? In this episode, Papillon Agricultural Company team members Matt Kauffman and Dr. Devan Paulus Compart discuss: How we know if functional additives are working What specific goals producers and nutritionists can set How complimentary on-farm sampling can help you get the most from your additives This episode is sponsored by Papillon Agricultural Company . Papillon Agricultural Company devel...
Oct 31, 2024•17 min•Season 6Ep. 45
How can dairies take repro rates to the next level? In this Progressive Dairy sponsorcast, dairy producer Luis Davalos and Merck Animal Health Dairy Marketing Manager Austin Snook discuss: Ways to catch more heats How monitoring and Ovsynch protocols can complement each other Holistic herd management This episode is sponsored by Merck Animal Health. With identification, monitoring and biopharma products fully integrated in one portfolio, Merck Animal Health offers the only true full-solution app...
Oct 24, 2024•10 min•Season 6Ep. 44
