Training Sessions
Presenters and topics by week, with a brief description of each day's episode topic and featured presenter(s):
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,
Week 56: (watch now)
Tuesday, May 4
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Learn how farmers can reduce stress to combat mental health issues and why a healthy diet along with plenty of rest plays a role in overall mental health. Tune in to hear the latest research on farm adolescence and mental health.
- Amy Myrdal Miller, MS, RDN, FAND, Founder and President of Farmer’s Daughter Consulting
- Josie M. Rudolphi, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Farmstead cheese operations are beginning to populate the countryside. As we celebrate American Cheese Month, hear the story of these entrepreneurs and managers as they share their experiences establishing and maintaining their businesses, from quality control to traceability.
- Jake Feltz, Manager of Feltz’s Dairy Store
- Ben Shibler, Cheese Manager and Head Cheesemaker at Ponderosa Farmstead
- Alise Sjostrom, Co-Owner/Head Cheesemaker at Redhead Creamery and Co-Owner at Jer-Lindy Farms
Ultrasounding allows you to look at calf lungs for evidence of damage from calfhood pneumonia and provides information quickly. Discover how ultrasounding works and why it’s a beneficial tool for dairy producers.
- Dr. Jason Kroll, Livestock Veterinarian at Lodi Veterinary Care
- Sherri Meinholz, General Manager at Blue Star Dairy Farms
Week 55: (watch now)
Tuesday, April 27
Learn the basic components of an effective nutrient management plan and other considerations when working with tile drainage.
- Dennis Frame, owner of Timber Ridge Consulting
- Eric Cooley, Co-Director of Discovery Farms
Paired calf housing is becoming a more popular way to raise calves. Learn from two calf managers how they have successfully incorporated the “buddy system” into their calf operation.
- Laura Raatz, Herd Manager and Calf Manager, Wagner Farms, Inc., Cecil, Wis.
- Christine Bender, Owner/Herd Manager, McFarlandale Dairy LLC, Watertown, Wis.
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 54: (watch now)
Tuesday, April 20
Proper manure management is important to help protect the environment and increase farm profitability. Hear about best practices for managing manure and key steps to take if a manure spill occurs.
- Kevin Erb, Director of the Conservation Professional Training Program for UW-Madison, Division of Extension
California passed a law requiring dairy farms to cut methane production by 40% by 2030. Learn how that state’s farmers have already reduced methane production by 25%.
- Dr. Frank Mitloehner, PhD, Professor and Air Quality Extension Specialist with the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis
Learn from a producer panel about their experiences in switching to a calf pasteurizer feeding system and how the new system fits into their operation.
- Yogi Brown, Sunburst Dairy, Belleville, Wis.
- Rosario Ibarra, Grotegut Dairy Farm, Inc., Newton, Wis.
- Heidi Fischer, Fischer-Clark Dairy Farm, LLC, Hatley, Wis.
Week 53: (watch now)
Tuesday, April 13
Tune in for a refresher on top safety concerns for the upcoming planting and growing season and learn what tasks are age-appropriate for youth helping on the farm.
- Cheryl A. Skjolaas, Agricultural Safety and Health Specialist, Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, UW-Madison/Division of Extension
- Marsha Salzwedel, Project Scientist at Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation/National Farm Medicine Center
Hear about the climate and weather trends that will influence spring planting and affect the 2021 growing season.
- Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist for Nutrien Ag Solutions
Hear 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 52: (watch now)
Tuesday, April 6
Robotic milking systems are becoming more common. Hear what producers have learned first-hand as they share their experiences with their robotic milking systems.
- Dan Venteicher, owner/manager, Honey Creek Dairy LLC
- Jared Feltz, co-owner, Feltz Family Farms & Dairy Store
- Dr. James Salfer, Extension Professor, Center for Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Minnesota
Automatic calf feeders can be used as a tool to reduce labor and improve calf nutrition, but still come with challenges. Learn how two producers are managing their automated calf feeders for profitability.
- Zoey Nelson, COO of Brooks Farm 1855 LLC
- Heather Johnson, Calf Barn Manager, Alfalawn Farm
Tune in to learn more about the SCiO Cup used by consultants and some dairy producers on the farm to measure dry matter in haylage, corn silages, small grain silages and other feed ingredients within a few minutes.
- Terry Allen, North American Business Development Manager, Consumer Physics
- Dr. Luiz Ferraretto, Assistant Professor and Ruminant Nutrition Extension Specialist, UW-Madison
Week 51: (watch now)
Tuesday, March 30
Learn how the state of Wisconsin is investing in its agriculture economy and dairy farm families.
- Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers
- Randy Romanski, Secretary-Designee of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Learn the keys of an effective “stay” interview to understand what employees value most about their current role in your organization.
- Liz Griffith, Market Development, Human Resource Consultant, Encore Consultants
Hear 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