Training Sessions
Presenters and topics by week, with a brief description of each day's episode topic and featured presenter(s):
Week 180: Protecting Your Farm, Team Members and Finances: (watch now)
Tuesday, Oct. 10
October is recognized as National Fire Prevention Month; a long-time fire department chief will lead an interactive discussion about best practices for fire prevention on farms of all sizes.
- Chief Gerald Minor, Pittsville Fire Department
Acting quickly is paramount immediately following critical accidents and medical emergencies. Learn about how to use common items to employ life-saving tactics when prompt action is of vital importance.
- Chris St. Pierre, Safety Instructor
As the weather cools and harvest begins its full swing, hear about what is driving ag and dairy markets today and discover which trends will have the most impact into 2024.
- Dan Basse, President, AgResource Company
Week 179: Energy Conservation, Harvest Health and Ketosis: (watch now)
Tuesday, Oct. 3
October is Energy Awareness Month, so we kick off the month with a discussion of ways to conserve energy and tips on conducting an energy audit for your farm, home or business.
- Joel Roltgen, CEM, Agribusiness Energy Advisor, Focus On Energy
- Kevin Weiler, Energy Advisor, Focus On Energy
Harvest brings long hours, many of which are spent inside a combine, tractor or truck cab. Learn stretches that can help prevent stiffness and injury during this important season.
- Morgan Ekovich, Owner & Head Trainer of Get Fit with ME LLC
Tune in for a conversation about fresh cow management with a focus on reducing the impact of hypocalcemia and ketosis.
- Dr. Luciano Caixeta, PhD, Associate Professor of Dairy Production Medicine, University of Minnesota
Week 178: Transition Milk, NMPF Update and Market News : (watch now)
Tuesday, Sept. 26
Join in for an interactive discussion on using transition milk in calf feeding programs, including how long to incorporate it and a review of potential side effects.
- Dr. Theresa Ollivett, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Large Animal), Assistant Professor, Food Animal Production Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine
Meet new leadership at National Milk Producers Federation and learn about priorities for the organization and initiatives that will impact the industry and dairy producers.
- Jim Mulhern, President & CEO, National Milk Producers Federation
- Gregg Doud, Chief Operating Officer, National Milk Producers Federation
As the third quarter of 2023 wraps up, tune in for an update on dairy markets, exports and industry news that will impact producers for the remainder of the year and the start of 2024.
- Ben Buckner, Chief Grains and Dairy Analyst at AgResource
Week 177: Financial Planning, Geopolitics and Calf Health: (watch now)
Tuesday, Sept. 19
Dairy finances are commonly discussed in agriculture. On this episode, we’ll dive deeper into various aspects of retirement as well as circumstances in which there is potential to invest outside of the farm, including factors to consider in positioning one’s business for success down the road.
- Dr. Brady Brewer, PhD, assistant professor, Agricultural Economics Department, Purdue University
Tune in for a discussion on the top geopolitical developments in the world, including the Russia-Ukraine war, Chinese and European economic woes, and a new class of rising powers, along with possible impacts on global agricultural commodities, particularly dairy.
- Jacob Shapiro, partner and director of geopolitical analysis, Cognitive Investments
Thursday, Sept. 21
Join us for an interactive conversation about improving calf health and immune function with a focus on postnatal calf management and nutrition.
- Dr. Lautaro Rostoll Cangiano, Assistant Professor, Bovine Immunology, Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences, UW-Madison
Week 176: Team Dynamics, Culling Decisions and Market News: (watch now)
Tuesday, Sept. 12
Join the discussion about work team dynamics and strategies to help teams work more fluidly. The ideas and solutions brought forth will be based on Patrick Lencioni’s classic book, Five Disfunctions of a Team.
- Tim Schaefer, CFP, Certified Family Business Advisor, Certified Professional Business Coach, Encore Consultants
Keep cows and people safe, calm, and productive by understanding animal behavior and proper animal handling techniques. Join the conversation about moving animals more effectively and learn how to incorporate predictable animal behavior to effectively assess a cow’s natural pressure zone to increase production, wellbeing and more.
- Dr. Kurt Vogel, PhD, Director, Humane Handling Institute, and Associate Professor, Animal Welfare and Behavior, UW-River Falls
With fall just around the corner, get an update on the market, export and weather news that will impact the dairy industry and your operation through harvest and winter 2023. Bring your questions for our bi-weekly market update.
- Dan Basse, President of AgResource Company
Week 175: Farm Transitions, Electrical Safety, Prenup Agreements: (watch now)
Tuesday, Sept. 5
Join an interactive discussion on navigating through farm transitions, including the responsibilities, people issues and emotional challenges involved. Learn tips and tactics to maintain and strengthen relationships throughout the entire process.
- Monica McConkey, Rural Mental Health Counselor, Eyes on the Horizon Consulting
As you look ahead to the fast-paced harvest season, take time to review electrical safety basics for in the field and around grain bins. Keep the entire team safe by taking precautions and developing an emergency plan for grain bin safety.
- Scott Dilley, Manager Customer Operations and AG Compliance, Alliant Energy
- Kent Sodawasser, Lead Corporate Safety Consultant, Alliant Energy
- Chief Gerald Minor, Pittsville Fire Department
Learn the ins and outs of prenuptial agreements, including scenarios in which they are appropriate, the steps to obtain one and key points to include and discuss through the process.
- Troy Schneider, Partner and Attorney at Twohig, Rietbrock, Schneider & Halbach Law Office
Week 174: Workplace Strategies, Genetic Selection, Market Update: (watch now)
Tuesday, Aug. 29
Explore some tried-and-true tactics for building a productive workplace environment with a focus on alleviating the negative effects caused by team members who chronically complain and drain energy of their co-workers.
- Linda Swindling, Founder & CEO of JourneyOn
Take a deep dive into genetic selection for health traits in dairy cattle, including what specific genetic codes mean and which producers should be selecting – and avoiding – when making genetic selection decisions.
- Daniel Weigel, PhD, Outcomes Research, Zoetis
As summer winds down, tune in for an interactive discussion on trends in dairy exports, markets, weather and other factors heading into harvest season.
- Dan Basse, President of AgResource Company
Week 173: Financial Management, Silage Harvest, Beef Demand: (watch now)
Tuesday, Aug. 22
Because asset purchases are a significant expense, it’s critical for farmers to know which tools and technologies actually reduce costs. This session will dive into tips and tools farmers can use to analyze asset purchases and costs on their farm to become more cost efficient.
- Dr. Brady Brewer, PhD, assistant professor, Agricultural Economics Department, Purdue University
Tune in for a timely discussion on managing corn through harvest and optimizing harvest under a wide range of crop conditions, including timing of silage harvest, late-season adjustments, and protecting nutritional quality. Presenters will also discuss alfalfa quality and late-season considerations.
- Dr. John Goeser, PhD, Director of Nutritional Research & Innovation, Rock River Lab, Inc., and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Todd Schaumburg, Part Owner and Agronomist, Tilth Agronomy
How are consumers addressing higher beef prices at grocery stores and restaurants? Hear about consumer trends as well as supply and demand for beef and other grocery staples at the retail level.
- Mike Simone, Executive Director, Market Research and Intelligence, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
- Brandon Scholz, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association
Week 172: 2023 Weather, Market and Nutrient Management Outlook: (watch now)
Tuesday, Aug. 15
Tune in for a look at nutrient management plans and how producers can effectively implement effective strategies and practices in their plans.
- Daniel Smith, Southwest Regional Agronomist, Nutrient and Pest Management Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison
As summer winds down and attention turns to silage and fall harvest, an overview of fall weather and potential harvest conditions becomes important.
- Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist, Nutrien Ag Solutions
Don’t miss an update on the market trends, exports, weather and other news that could impact your operation the rest of 2023.
- Dan Basse, President, AgResource Company
Week 171: Cheese Research, Onboarding Tips & Alfalfa Management: (watch now)
Tuesday, Aug. 8
Hear about the research, processing and marketing opportunities for wheyless cheese. This innovative product is made by producing a cheese powder using milk solids in the United States, which can then be sent anywhere in the world to be recombined with fat and water to produce a wheyless cheese.
- John Jaeggi, Cheese Industry and Applications Coordinator, Center for Dairy Research
A well-planned, well-executed process for onboarding new employees pays dividends for the entire team. Learn strategies to enhance a new employee’s experience and boost retention.
- Don Tyler, Founder of Tyler & Associates, Executive and Management Coach
Considering late summer seeding of alfalfa? Tune in for an interactive discussion on the advantages and disadvantages, preparing for planting and other management practices.
- Dr. Don Miller, Plant Breeder and Consultant