Training Sessions
Presenters and topics by week, with a brief description of each day's episode topic and featured presenter(s):
Week 166: Calf-Recumbency Mutation & Market Outlook : (watch now)
Wednesday, July 5
Learn about the calf-recumbency mutation in the Holstein breed, how it specifically relates to a certain haplotype and what’s being done by researchers, industry professionals and dairy farmers to understand this newly discovered mutation.
- Dr. Chelsea Holschbach, DVM, MS, DACVIM, Assistant Professor in Large Animal Medicine and Food Animal Production Medicine at University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine
As we move into the second half of 2023, join in the interactive conversation about what’s ahead for dairy markets, exports and more, and what you can do to prepare for what’s ahead.
- Dan Basse, President of AgResource Company
Week 165: Dairy Outlook, Forage Trials & Crop Management: (watch now)
Tuesday, June 27
Tune in for an interactive conversation on challenging weather and market conditions, with a look at economic and market factors like U.S. and global cow numbers, domestic demand, drought conditions and what needs to change to improve dairy prices.
- Leonard Polzin, Dairy Markets and Policy Outreach Specialist, UW-Extension
Join in to hear the results of a perennial forage trial including data on yield and quality of forage grasses.
- Jason Cavadini, Grazing Specialist and Certified Professional Agronomist, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension
- Matthew Oehmichen, part owner of Short Lane Ag Supply
How do crops and birds support each other? Learn about pheasant ecology, the connection to the farm and management practices to support birds and provide financial opportunities for farms.
- Scott Stipetich, Precision Ag & Conservation Specialist, Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever
- Cody Tromberg, Senior Biologist, Pheasants Forever, Inc.
Week 164: Barn Design, Chemical Safety, Market Update Discussion: (watch now)
Tuesday, June 20
Thinking about making changes to cow or calf barns – or building new? Tune in for an interactive discussion on key factors in building designs, including stocking density, resting space, capacity for air exchange and more.
- Courtney Halbach, MBA, Outreach Specialist, The Dairyland Initiative
Handling chemicals and pesticides safely should be a top priority for everyone on the farm. Learn about best practices for storing chemicals and disposing of empty containers, and what to do if someone comes in contact with a chemical product.
- Glenn Nice, Pesticide Applicator Training Manager, University of Wisconsin-Madison
As we near the midway point of 2023, learn about the trends and economic forces that will impact dairy and commodity markets for the remainder of the year.
- Dan Basse, President, AgResource Company
Week 163: Manure Management, Hearing Protection & Dairy Checkoff: (watch now)
Tuesday, June 13
Hear about the latest research in dairy-manure land management and methods to minimize the environmental impacts of dairy farms, including possible solutions to reduce methane, nitrous-oxide emissions and nitrate leaching.
- Dr. Xia Zhu-Barker, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Soil Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Without protection, a lifetime of farming can result in hearing loss. Learn key strategies to protect hearing along with research results about the cognitive status of aging farmers.
- Jan Moore, PhD, professor & academic diversity officer, Department of Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska-Kearney
Tune in for the latest on how the dairy-checkoff program is working to benefit dairy producers, including updates from Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and the Center of Dairy Research.
- Chad Vincent, CEO, Dairy Famers of Wisconsin
- Dr. John Lucey, PhD, director, Center for Dairy Research, and professor of Food Science, UW-Madison
Week 162: Carbon Banking, WI Dairy Update & Market News: (watch now)
Tuesday, June 6
Hear about carbon banking and experiences from the Rabo Carbon Bank, along with insights on the opportunities and impacts for dairy producers.
- Ryan Findlay, Regional Lead Business Development, Carbon Banking, Rabo Carbon Bank
Tune in for an update on the state of the Wisconsin dairy industry and learn about investments in the state’s agricultural economy and farm families.
- Randy Romanski, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Thursday, June 8
Join the conversation about the latest news in dairy and agricultural markets and exports, along with the global, national and regional trends lined up to impact your dairy business.
- Dan Basse, President of AgResource Company
Week 161: Mental Health, Discovery Farms Research, Milk Replacer: (watch now)
Tuesday, May 30
As Mental Health Awareness month in May comes to a close, tune in for strategies to help farmers reduce stress and mitigate mental health issues. This episode will also address the latest research on the mental health of adolescents on farms.
- Josie M. Rudolphi, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Hear about the latest research results from University of Wisconsin Discovery Farms and explore the ongoing research projects that will be underway this growing season.
- Amber Radatz, Agricultural Water Quality Program Manager, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension
- Lindsey Hartfiel, Research Program Manager, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension
Thursday, June 1
Take a deep dive into managing milk replacer to hit calf-growth targets. Understand and calculate which milk replacer formulation is the best fit for each farm.
- Dr. Liz Cox, MS, DVM, Animal Care Program Manager, California Department of Food and Agriculture
Week 160: Pain Management, Cover Crops & Market Update: (watch now)
Tuesday, May 23
Pain can have an impact on an animal’s health and productivity at all stages of life. Join this discussion about recognizing signals of pain and strategies for managing pain for calves, heifers and cows.
- Dr. Kate Creutzinger, assistant professor, dairy cattle behavior and welfare, University of Wisconsin- River Falls
This panel discussion received rave reviews at 2023 PDPW Business Conference, so we are sharing it with a broader audience. Hear from producers who have incorporated cover crops into their cropping and nutrient management plans. Hailing from different regions of Wisconsin, they will discuss their individual goals and approaches to working with cover crops and how they monitor and measure for success. Learn what has worked, what didn’t and more.
- Adam Baumann, crop and beef producer
- Duane Ducat, dairy producer, Deer Run Dairy LLC
As we approach Memorial Day and the traditional kickoff to summer season, tune in for a discussion of what’s ahead for dairy and commodity markets, exports and more.
- Dan Basse, president, AgResource Company
Week 159: Transition Cow Research, Budgets & Feed Inventories: (watch now)
Tuesday, May 16
Tune in to hear the latest research on the impact of adding rumen-protected choline to a transition cow program and the effects it has on growth and carcass quality. Leading researchers will deliver an encore presentation of their 2023 PDPW Business Conference session and will take questions about how findings could impact your operation.
- Dr. Heather White, PhD, professor, Animal & Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Dr. Henry Holdorf, PhD, dairy nutrition consultant, Purina Animal Nutrition
- Dr. Billy Brown, PhD, assistant professor, Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University
As the market outlook for 2023 becomes clearer, join in for an interactive conversation on managing and budgeting through stretches of tighter cash flows.
- Jonathan Zander, dairy lending specialist, Compeer Financial
Explore practical strategies for maximizing feed inventories, including options for those running low on forages, minimizing shrinkage after harvest and during feed-out, and other methods to stretch inventories while maintaining production and herd health.
- Dr. Luiz Ferraretto, PhD, Assistant Professor and Ruminant Nutrition Extension Specialist, UW-Madison
Week 158: Robotic Milking Systems, Water Quality and Market News: (watch now)
Tuesday, May 9
Join this interactive conversation about the evolution of robotic milking systems over the past five years including the machines themselves, lifespan and usability of equipment. Learn about the progress as well as goals for future systems.
- Dr. Doug Reinemann, Professor and Chair of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Tune in for this encore presentation of a popular 2023 PDPW Business Conference session. Hear about the importance of water quality for your dairy herd’s productivity and performance and how to identify and solve the subtle issues that lead to big problems.
- Adam Geiger, Dairy Research Nutritionist, Zinpro Corporation
- Jeff Lee, Vice President, Industrial Sales, Total Water Treatment Systems, Inc.
With the 2023 growing season underway, tune in for the latest market news that will impact the ag industry and your business now and for the rest of 2023.
- Dan Basse, President, AgResource Company
Week 157: Farm Profitability, Dairy Tour Prep and Calf Barns: (watch now)
Tuesday, May 2
The profitability of your business starts with understanding cost of production. Learn the best ways to calculate cost of production, finding and using benchmarks, and using these metrics to make management decisions.
- Dr. Kevin Bernhardt, Professor of Agribusiness, University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Agriculture, and Farm Management Specialist, UW Extension and Center for Dairy Profitability
- Dr. Charles Nicholson, Associate Professor, Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences and Agricultural & Applied Economics, UW-Madison
- Dr. Luis Peña-Lévano, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics, UW-River Falls and Dairy Innovation Hub faculty affiliate, Agricultural & Applied Economics, UW-Madison
Farm tours are great ways to share your dairy’s story with the public, but preparation is key. Tune in for a discussion on understanding your audiences and developing and delivering personalized tour messages. This episode will also shed light on liability considerations when planning tours and events.
- Tina Hinchley, Owner and Operator, Hinchley’s Dairy Farm and Hinchley’s Dairy Farm Tours
- Troy Schneider, Partner and Attorney, Twohig, Rietbrock, Schneider, and Halbach
Join this panel discussion to explore available resources for designing a calf barn to ensure the comfort of not just the animals but also the humans who care for them. Episode presenters will be:
- Katlyn Langmeier, PE, Ventilation Specialist, Tunnel Plus
- Jacob Moes, Co-owner, MoDak Dairy