Training Sessions
Presenters and topics by week, with a brief description of each day's episode topic and featured presenter(s):
Week 40: (watch now)
Tuesday, January 5
Learn the latest hoof trimming methods, herd level factors that influence lameness incidence and how dairy producers can reduce the incidence of lameness.
- Dr. Gerard Cramer, DVM, Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota
Hear an update on transition cow research and feed efficiency trials predicting individual cow feed intake and how they utilize nutrients differently, as well as an update at the Dairy Innovation Hub.
- Dr. Heather White, PhD, Assistant Professor of Nutritional Physiology of UW-Madison
Farm estate and transfer plans are only effective if they are kept up to date. Learn action plans to keep your farm succession plan and estate plan current and in line with business and personal goals.
- George Twohig and Troy Schneider, Partners and Attorneys at Twohig, Rietbrock, Schneider & Halbach Law Office
Week 39: (watch now)
Tuesday, December 29
Learn the latest research findings in optimizing fertility of sexed semen in lactating dairy cows and non-lactating dairy heifers.
- Dr. Paul Fricke, Ph.D., Dairy Reproduction Specialist at University of Wisconsin-Madison
Hear the latest news and analysis of agricultural markets and trends as we close out 2020 and look ahead into 2021.
- Dan Basse, Economist and President of AgResource Company
Week 38: (watch now)
Tuesday, December 22
Take a look at the top nutrition trends in 2020 and hear about some of the hidden opportunities in nutrition management, feed costs and inventory management to take your dairy to the next level in 2021.
- Dr. John Goeser, Ph.D., Director of Nutritional Research & Innovation at Rock River Lab, Inc., and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Dairy Science Department at University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Matt Akins, Assistant Scientist and Extension Dairy Specialist at University of Wisconsin-Madison
Learn practical tips on optimizing the transition cow period for top milk production and reproductive performance.
- Dr. Neil Michael, Manager of Ruminant Field Technical Services with Arm & Hammer
Week 37: (watch now)
Tuesday, December 15
Take a look at the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on consumer attitudes toward food and agriculture, and dig deeper into which trends will be short term and which will last.
- Charlie Arnot, CEO, Center for Food Integrity
Hear an update on how COVID-19 has affected the health of dairy industry team members, how this essential product is getting to market, as well as an update on the latest OSHA and CDC guidelines and vaccine progress.
- Mary Bauer, Compliance Assistance Specialist, of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Eau Claire Area
- John R. Raymond, Sr., MD, President and CEO, Medical College of Wisconsin
Hear the latest news and analysis of agricultural markets and trends as we close out 2020 and look ahead into 2021.
- Dan Basse, Economist and President of AgResource Compan
Week 36: (watch now)
Tuesday, December 8
Learn from global food industry leaders about their work with suppliers and customers to secure high-quality agricultural ingredients that meet global sustainability goals.
- Emily Johannes, Category Manager – Ethical Sourcing, Nestle
- Karen Scanlon, Senior Vice President, Environmental Stewardship, Dairy Management, Inc.
Hear an update on how the changing of the political guard in Washington might impact dairy policy, regulations and markets in 2021 and beyond.
- Paul Bleiberg, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, National Milk Producers Federation
Understand the basics of blockchain and how it could be a tool for the dairy industry now and in the future.
- Phil Harris, Co-Founder and President, ripe.io
Week 35: (watch now)
Tuesday, December 1
Understand options for calculating cost of production and how each approach can help make management decisions and manage risk.
- Gary Sipiorski, Independent Business and Financial Consultant
- Dr. Kevin Bernhardt, Professor of Agribusiness at UW-Platteville School of Agriculture and Farm Management Specialist with UW-Extension and Center for Dairy Profitability
Hear about agriculture and the dairy outlook from the lender point of view, including lessons learned from 2020 and tips for planning ahead for 2021, including prepaying, refinancing, and other options.
- Tim McTigue, Senior Vice President of Ag Banking, Investors Community Bank
- Doug Lambert, Assistant Vice-president, Farmers & Merchants Union Bank
- Jim Moriarty, Director of Dairy Teams, Compeer Financial
Get the latest news and analysis of agricultural markets, current trends and what to expect for the rest of this year and into 2021.
- Dan Basse, Economist and President of AgResource Company.
Week 34: (watch now)
Tuesday, November 23
Learn about the weather patterns for upcoming months and get an inside look at the winter weather outlook.
- Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist for Nutrien Ag Solutions
Hear from a dairy producer panel about the management practices, technologies and tools needed to maintain a high production herd. They will share their experiences and provide insights to help raise the bar on production.
- Scott Seward, Seward’s Dairy
- Tom Kestell, Ever-Green-View LLC
There will not be a Dairy Signal broadcast on Thursday, Nov. 26. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Week 33: (watch now)
Tuesday, November 17
Hear how cancer is affecting our rural communities and learn about options for screenings and ways to take care of your health to reduce cancer risk.
- Dr. Madhuri Rao, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of Thoracic and Foregut Surgery, University of Minnesota
Understand how the animal traceability and ID system works and hear about examples from poultry and pork industries when it played an important role in animal and human health.
- Dan Goehring, Johnsonville Livestock Procurement Coordinator for Johnsonville Sausage
- Dr. Gretchen May, DVM, Veterinary Program Manager, Wisconsin DATCP
- Dr. Darlene Konkle, DVM, Wisconsin State Veterinarian, Wisconsin DATCP
Hear the latest update on COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin and what families can do to be healthy and safe, especially with upcoming colder weather and holiday seasons. They will also share information on a COVID surveillance study underway in Wisconsin.
- Kathrine Barnes, MS, MPH, Project Manager, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute
Week 32: (watch now)
Tuesday, November 10
Responsible antibiotic management is a top priority for both dairy farmers and consumers. Learn about the Food Armor program and hear about on-farm processes that can be used to improve antibiotic treatment efficacy.
- Paul Lippert, farmer, Grass Ridge Farm
- Katie Mrdutt, DVM, MBA Candidate, Executive Director, Food Armor® Foundation
Hear about the hunger disparity in Wisconsin and the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on food supplies for families across the state. Learn about the Dairy Recovery Program and how programs are using CARES funds from DATCP to purchase Wisconsin products.
- Sherrie Tussler, Executive Director of Milwaukee Hunger Task Force
Learn the latest news and analysis of agricultural markets, current trends and what to expect for the rest of this year and into 2021.
- Dan Basse, Economist and President of AgResource Company.
Week 31: (watch now)
Tuesday, November 3
With winter right around the corner, ventilation becomes a top priority. Learn how to be prepared when it comes to air quality for our animals.
- Dr. Nigel Cook, DVM, Professor in Food Animal Production Medicine at UW-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine and Chair of the Department of Medical Sciences
Producers are adding value to their dairy by diversifying into on-farm sales. Learn more about what it takes to start, grow and maintain a successful value-added enterprise.
- Lolly Lesher, owner/partner in Way-Har Farms, LLC and Way-Har Farm Market, LLC in Bernville, Pennsylvania
- Kara Kasten-Olson, owner of Little Farmer Meats and Ag Program Supervisor at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Passing the farm on to the next generation involves planning. Find out how these dairy producers are working