Training Sessions
Presenters and topics by week, with a brief description of each day's episode topic and featured presenter(s):
Week 170: Dairy Product Research, Market News & Strategies: (watch now)
Tuesday, Aug. 1
Take a deep dive into the opportunities for dairy in microbiome-centered therapeutic applications. Hear about the latest research on the underutilized whey protein phospholipid concentrate and its potential as an alternative source of bioactive compounds.
- Dr. Gulustan Ozturk, PhD, assistant professor, Food Science Department, UW-Madison
Tune in for a review of market drivers, trends and fundamentals for both milk and feed markets, then take that understanding to the next level with a discussion of practical risk-management tools and strategies to apply them to current market opportunities.
- Will Babler, Principal, Atten Babler Commodities LLC
As the silage and grain harvest approaches, factors such as weather, exports, and other variables impacting dairy and ag markets will come into play. Tune in for a breakdown.
- Dan Basse, President of AgResource Company
Week 169: On-Farm Ice Cream, Soil Health & Feed Outlook: (watch now)
Tuesday, July 25
Nothing says summer like ice cream. This panel discussion will feature two dairy producers who added value to their operations with on-farm creameries. They’ll share the ins and outs of starting and operating a creamery, with their comments on production, sales, marketing and more.
- Ken Smith, dairy producer and owner, Moo Thru Ice Cream
- William Lesher, owner/partner, Way-Har Farms, LLC and Way-Har Farm Market, LLC
Healthy crops start with healthy soils. Join an interactive conversation about the ingredients in healthy soils and what producers can do to optimize their soils throughout the year.
- Dr. Jamie Patton, PhD, CPSS, Wisconsin State Soil Health Coordinator, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Tune in for a timely update on the condition of 2023 feed crops and what to look for in fields, especially acreage representing a variety of maturity levels due to uneven germination. Our experts will also share what nutritionists are recommending to make the most of remaining feed inventories. This episode is presented in collaboration with the UW-Extension and will feature:
- Jerry Clark, Regional Crops & Soils Educator, UW-Extension
- Dr. Luiz Ferraretto, Assistant Professor and Ruminant Nutrition Extension Specialist, UW-Madison
Week 168: Asset Management, 2023 Corn Outlook & Market Update: (watch now)
Tuesday, July 18
Producing output in agriculture calls for a lot of assets, including land, buildings, equipment and animals. Because of the heavy reliance on big-dollar expenditures, assets can become one of the largest detractors to cash flow for a dairy farm. Discover the financial metrics to help determine whether your dairy’s asset mix is appropriate – as well as useful strategies to implement in cases where adjustments need to be made.
- Dr. Brady Brewer, PhD, assistant professor, Agricultural Economics Department, Purdue University
On top of the minds of many this summer is the outlook for the 2023 corn season. In this episode, we’ll see it through the eyes of two experts who will share what they’re seeing and experiencing. Tune in for a discussion on how to take corn to the finish line for silage, with an eye toward harvest adjustments based upon crop condition and health.
- 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
- Todd Schaumburg, Part Owner and Agronomist, Tilth Agronomy
Tune in for an educated look at the turbulent forces driving the agricultural markets and trends that stand to impact dairy producers and the ag industry now and into the remainder of the year.
- Dan Basse, President, AgResource Company
Week 167: Emotional Intelligence, Ice Cream & Zoonotic Diseases: (watch now)
Tuesday, July 11
Join this interactive discussion on how to become an emotionally intelligent business leader and strengthen your team. Learn strategies for improving communication, increasing empathy and empowering your team to build a culture of emotional intelligence in the workplace.
- Tim Schaefer, CFP, Certified Family Business Advisor, Certified Professional Business Coach, Encore Consultants
July is National Ice Cream Month and we’re celebrating with a conversation to get the latest “scoop” on the ice cream and frozen dessert research underway at the Babcock Dairy Plant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Dr. Scott Rankin, PhD, Professor and Chair, Food Science Department, UW-Madison
Tune in for a discussion on zoonotic diseases, including what they are, how they are transmitted and which can be transmitted from cattle to humans. Protect both the animals and humans on your farm with precautions to avoid illness and transmission.
- Dr. Darlene Konkle, DVM, MS, DACVIM, State Veterinarian, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
- Dr. Angela Maxted, DVM, PhD, DACVPM, State Public Health Veterinarian, Wisconsin Department of Health Services
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