Training Sessions
Presenters and topics by week, with a brief description of each day's episode topic and featured presenter(s):
Week 66: (watch now)
Tuesday, July 13
Opportunities exist for bovine tuberculosis (TB) to reemerge in the U.S. Learn how to minimize your herd’s risks for introduction and spread of TB and hear firsthand how one family dairy dealt with this zoonotic disease.
- Dr. Darlene Konkle, DVM, MS, DACVIM, State Veterinarian, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
- Dr. Elisabeth Patton, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM, Assistant State Veterinarian, Wisconsin DATCP
- Steve Maddox, Maddox Dairy, Burrel, California
Certain areas of the U.S. have received adequate moisture; other areas are still in a drought-stricken state. Learn how this will affect the dairy state and where we are at in terms of quality and quantity of second-crop harvesting and corn growth.
- Dr. John Goeser, PhD, Director of Nutritional Research & Innovation at Rock River Lab, Inc., and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Dairy Science Department at University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Scott Fleming, Nutrient Management Specialist and Sampling Director from Rock River Lab
Learn how nitrates can affect groundwater and hear the latest update on Discovery Farm’s nitrogen-use efficiency research project as it relates to fine-tuning crop decisions and how this study weaves into the new DNR regulations.
- Amber Radatz, Co-Director, Discovery Farms
- Ryan Heiderman, Nitrogen Projects Coordinator, Discovery Farms
Week 65: (watch now)
Tuesday, July 6
Learn how the agricultural industry can capitalize on alternative energy resources such as geothermal, solar and wind.
- Adam Wehling, Dean of Agriculture, Energy, Construction & Transportation, Chippewa Valley Technical College
- Frank Cardoza, Dairy Operations Manager, Philip Verwey Farms, Hanford, Calif.
Hear the latest consumer research when it comes to e-commerce beef growth, the changes that occurred over the last year on both the retail and consumer side, as well as an outlook on alternative protein sales.
- Shawn Darcy, Senior Director, Market Research, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
- Brandon Scholz, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association
Gain insight on the latest news and analysis of agricultural markets and trends that will impact dairy producers and the ag industry.
- Dan Basse, Economist and President of AgResource Company
Week 64: (watch now)
Tuesday, June 29
It’s officially summer and that equates to hot and humid days. Learn how to maintain calf health during warmer weather and how one producer works daily keeping 8,000 calves comfortable and hydrated.
- Dr. Geof Smith, DVM, MS, PhD, Veterinarian, Dairy Technical Services, Zoetis
- Sherry Arnold, Busse’s Barron Acres, Barron, Wis.
Hear from two “rising stars” in dairy research talk about some of the recent work on silage quality and its nutritive value.
- Dr. Luiz Ferraretto, Ruminant Nutrition Extension Specialist, University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Ben Saylor, Ruminant Nutrition PhD Candidate, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences
- Cole Diepersloot, MS Student, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences
Find out how Dairy Farmers of America remains competitive as the largest cooperative in the nation and the innovations keeping them in the forefront of the industry.
- Kristen Coady, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Dairy Farmers of America
- David Darr, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA)
Week 63: (watch now)
Tuesday, June 22
New products are being developed and marketed at a steady pace, including GoodSport, a hydrating sports drink formulated from milk. Learn the concept behind this product and how the Center for Dairy Research provides product development, research and troubleshooting for those looking to create something new.
- Michelle McBride, Founder & CEO, GoodSport™ Nutrition
- Tom Guerin, Research Program Manager, Center for Dairy Research
Learn about consumer food interests and branding, cheese pairings and tips, recipe appetizers to celebrate dairy and current media efforts to promote Wisconsin’s dairy industry.
- Molly Browne, Education Manager, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
- Tina Peterson, National Program Manager, Media Appearances-Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
Hear the latest news and analysis of agricultural markets and trends that will impact dairy producers and ag industry.
- Dan Basse, Economist and President of AgResource Company
Week 62: (watch now)
Tuesday, June 15
Hear an overview of how weather patterns are affecting the United States and find out what’s in store the rest of the summer.
- Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist for Nutrien Ag Solutions
The majority of first crop hay has now been harvested. Dive into a nutritional analysis of this crop and how harvesting higher quality feeds can offset overall feed costs.
- Dr. John Goeser, PhD, Director of Nutritional Research & Innovation at Rock River Lab, Inc., and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Dairy Science Department at University of Wisconsin-Madison
Adding value to your dairy by diversifying on-farm sales is growing in popularity. Glean tips on how to start, market and maintain a successful business.
- Kristin Quist, Dairy Manager, Minglewood, Inc., Deer Park, Wis.
- Heather Moore, Owner, Moore Family Farms and Moore Local, Maquoketa, Iowa
Week 61: (watch now)
Tuesday, June 8
Find out what’s trending when it comes to consumer buying habits, what’s the recent perception on plant-based and cell-based alternatives to dairy and meat and how certain new initiatives could affect the dairy industry.
- Charlie Arnot, CEO of The Center for Food Integrity and president of Look East
Heat stress can affect overall economics, production, fertility and alter milk composition. Learn some of the more effective heat abatement practices and feeding techniques to combat heat stress.
- Dr. Geoffrey E. Dahl, Harriet B. Weeks Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Florida
Hear the latest news and analysis of agricultural markets and trends that will impact dairy producers and ag industry.
- Dan Basse, Economist and President of AgResource Company
Week 60: (watch now)
Tuesday, June 1
Hear two “rising star” dairy researchers share some of their recent work including results from an epidemiological analysis of the impact of sub-clinical ketosis on cows and herds, and findings on rumen-protected choline as a nutritional intervention during heat stress and on overall cow and calf health.
- Dr. Heather White, PhD, Associate Professor of Nutritional Physiology of the University of Wisconsin-Madison,
- Ryan Pralle, Assistant Professor of Animal Science and Researcher, Dairy Innovation Hub, University of Wisconsin – Platteville and
- Henry Holdorf, PhD Candidate, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison
There have been some new appointees on key agricultural legislative committees. Find out who is new and what’s in store when it comes to agricultural and environmental policy, trade and exports and the overall health of the U.S agricultural economy.
- Paul Bleiberg, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, National Milk Producers Federation
Business IQ is being proven in today’s world of tight margins. What is your business and financial IQ? Are you up for the challenge?
- Gary Sipiorski, independent business and financial consultant
- Dr. Kevin Bernhardt, Professor of Agribusiness at UW-Platteville School of Agriculture and Farm Management Specialist
Week 59: (watch now)
Tuesday, May 25
Farmers are always on the go but still need to communicate – how can we connect with our teams through our laptops, phones and other devices? Learn how to stay connected when working remotely and what the future holds for data integration.
- Jeremy Cherny, Founder and President, Tobin Solutions
Discover what’s new at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin as they work to increase awareness and affinity for Wisconsin dairy products and find out what’s happening in the retail marketplace across the United States.
- Suzanne Fanning, Senior Vice President, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and Chief Marketing Officer, Wisconsin Cheese
- Mike Edge, Senior Regional Marketing Director, East, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
Hear the latest news and analysis of agricultural markets and trends that will impact dairy producers and ag industry.
- Dan Basse, Economist and President of AgResource Company
Week 58: (watch now)
Tuesday, May 18
Gain insights on how the hacked pipeline between Texas and New York will affect fuel supply and the potential impact on dairy and beef producers, as well as consumers buying trends at the grocery level. Session will also include an overview of milk and commodity pricing trends and policies that could affect producers.
- Dr. Mark Stephenson, PhD, Director of Dairy Policy Analysis at UW-Madison and Director of Wisconsin’s Center for Dairy Profitability
Managing employees is a full-time responsibility. Glean ideas from several dairy producers on how they motivate and educate their employees.
- Sarah Daugherty, Workforce Development Manager, Paramount Calves, Darlington, Wis.
- Katie Gerrits, Director of Human Resources, Breeze Dairy Group, Pine River, Wis.
- Kevin Wulf, Community Relations and Employee Education, Riverview LLP, Morris, Minn.
Hear an update on domestic and international dairy markets and policy, activity in our key dairy exporting regions around the world and what products are having the biggest impact on the U.S. economy.
- Mary Ledman, Global Dairy Strategist, Rabobank
Week 57: (watch now)
Tuesday, May 11
Wisconsin is celebrating 180 years in the cheesemaking industry. Learn about the Master Cheesemaker program and how several cheesemakers have taken advantage of the program.
- Pam Hodgson, Master Cheesemaker at Satori Cheese
- Chris Renard, Master Cheesemaker and owners Renard’s Cheese and Rosewood Dairy Inc.
- Andy Johnson, Assistant Coordinator, Cheese Industry & Applications for the Center for Dairy Research and Coordinator, Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker Program
Teenagers are an important part of the summer workforce on many dairy farms today. Learn about teen characteristics, possible distractions and impulsive behaviors, and find out how to tap into a free online training course aimed at supervising young agricultural workers.
- Marsha Salzwedel, Project Scientist at Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation/National Farm Medicine Center
- Diane Rohlman, Assistant Professor and Director of the Healthier Workforce Center of the Midwest
Hear the latest news and analysis of agricultural markets and trends that will impact dairy producers and ag industry.
- Dan Basse, Economist and President of AgResource Company,