PDP
VISION PARTNER
Current trends shaping the U.S. dairy industry
Compeer Financial
Several key themes are emerging across farm and processor levels in the U.S. dairy industry, influencing profitability and strategy heading into 2026. These include strong beef demand, shifting margins, component-driven pricing and continued processor investment.
LEGACY PARTNER
Investing in tomorrow, rooted in community
Dairy’s Foundation
The dairy community shows up every day with grit, optimism, and a shared commitment to doing meaningful work. For more than two decades, Dairy’s Foundation® has supported that spirit by investing in leadership, education, and mentoring programs that leave a lasting impact.
MISSION PARTNERS
What 2026 cheese trends mean for dairy’s future
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
As consumer expectations evolve, new opportunities are emerging for dairy farmers who are leading the way in quality, sustainability, and innovation. Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin’s 2026 Cheese Trends Report reveals how science, craftsmanship, and producer-driven progress are shaping the future of dairy. Here’s what these trends mean for your farm—and where the industry is headed next.
As milk price drops, calf sales provide crucially needed revenue
Rabobank
U.S. milk production continues to surge, with October posting another month of strong year-over-year growth and historically large cow numbers. Robust component gains, expanded cheese and butter output, and record-setting export demand are helping absorb supply, but profitability now hinges on strategic herd management and alternative revenue streams like beef-dairy cross calves.
Utilizing trim records to proactively manage hoof health
Zinpro
Proactively managing hoof health is a team effort. Proper lesion identification and accurate record keeping provide a strong foundation for identifying trends, addressing issues and achieving a common goal of improved hoof health and productive cows.
CORPORATE PARTNERS
Evaluating water quality to boost productivity, animal health
Armor Animal Health
Water is one of the most important nutrients, but do you know the quality of the water on your farm? Clean, high-quality water boosts milk production, animal health and growth. Test your water quality and consider water treatment options such as chlorine dioxide to enhance profitability.
How to milk like a veterinarian for mastitis control
BouMatic
Mastitis control starts in the milking parlor, not the treatment room. Strip foremilk, respect the 60-second prep-lag window, and wear clean gloves; these simple steps can cut bacterial spread by 50% and protect your herd's udder health. Dr. Angela Kinney breaks down the precise milking procedures that separate struggling dairies from successful ones.
Checkoff powering science behind whole milk
Dairy Management Inc.
Whole milk is earning renewed scientific respect, and your dairy checkoff is leading the charge. National Dairy Council researchers are uncovering how dairy fat supports heart health, satiety and more. Their findings are reshaping how experts view whole milk’s place in a healthy diet.
Building energy efficiency into new dairy facilities
FOCUS ON ENERGY®
When building a new barn or milking parlor, each decision can impact your long-term costs. Incorporating energy-efficient lighting, ventilation systems, and dairy equipment can help farmers lower utility bills while improving productivity. The following sustainable strategies focus on creating facilities that are efficient and ready for the future.
Where to spend and where to save when you need to tighten your farm belt
GEA
When the milk check shrinks, what can be cut or modified to make your dairy smarter and more efficient? And, what should stay the course to prevent larger financial pitfalls? Keith Engel offers a few considerations based on his decades of experience helping farms through various economic climates.
Embracing change: Innovation is key to dairy farm profitability
GreenStone Farm Credit Services
Margins are tightening as input costs rise faster than milk prices, making the old model of “just add more cows” increasingly unrealistic. Today’s most successful dairies are those leaning into strategic innovation to boost their own profitability and shape the future of the industry.
The conversation no farmer wants to have – until it is too late
Menn Law Firm
Farmers frequently avoid discussions about farm succession planning because it requires acknowledging their own mortality, not to mention the reality that their own children lack the same love of farming as they hold. Putting off the conversation, though, only causes problems.
Farm succession: Evolution or revolution?
Nicolet National Bank
Are you delaying estate and succession plans? You're not alone. These are very personal topics. We want to help. Read on for communication strategies and ideas to start and smooth out the process for you, your family and your farm partners.
PDP is Dairy's Professional Development Organization. Producer-led and membership-based, we're here to share ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help individual dairy producers – and our industry as a whole – succeed. Our focus is on producer professionalism, stakeholder engagement and unified outreach.
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