Training Sessions
Presenters and topics by week, with a brief description of each day's episode topic and featured presenter(s):
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
Week 156: Reproduction, Milk Nutrition and Effective Delegation: (watch now)
Tuesday, April 25
Join in this “Fact or Fiction” episode to address and dispel common myths and misconceptions regarding dairy reproduction. Dr. Fricke will lead a discussion covering correct solutions to reproductive problems.
- Dr. Paul Fricke, PhD, Dairy Reproduction Specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Tune in for an encore presentation of a Business Conference Preview Stage session. Learn about new research that seeks to identify high-value uses for milk and its components to advance personalized medicine and improve health of specific patient groups.
- Dr. Joseph Pierre, PhD, Assistant Professor, Nutritional Sciences, UW-Madison
- Karen Antunes, PhD Student, Nutritional Sciences Department, UW-Madison
How and when to delegate tasks and responsibilities is one of the most important skills for leaders and managers at any level. Join this interactive discussion to learn about the necessary steps to make a habit of delegating, including which processes to have in place and more.
- Don Tyler, Founder of Tyler & Associates, Executive and Management Coach
Week 155: Next Generation of Dairy Ideas: (watch now)
Tuesday, April 18
Two Nexus stage presenters join this session. Tune in to learn about CERTILLUS Targeted Microbial Solutions that are available for feed, forage and manure to impact the entire clostridial cycle in a dairy herd. Hear about TruDrinking from Smaxtec, which is a rumen bolus that monitors water intake to ensure animal health and milk yield.
- Ben Saylor, PhD, PAS, Dairy Technical Services Manager, Arm and Hammer and Food Production
- Alisa Gusterer, Vice President, smaXtec Inc.
Join in for a conversation about monitoring and measurement systems for cow health and activity as well as feeding and milking parlor management with Nedap Livestock Management.
- Matt Heisner, Dairy Product Specialist, Nedap Livestock Management
Learn about IsoFerm from Zinpro, a proprietary blend of isoacids designed to enhance rumen function by directly feeding the fiber digesting microbes.
- Dana Tomlinson, PhD, Nutritionist, Global Technical Services, Zinpro IsoFerm
Week 154: Farm Finances, Transition Planning and Market Update: (watch now)
Tuesday, April 11
Learn strategies to take control of your farm’s finances amid changing markets, input and feed costs, supply chain disruptions, pricing and more? This episode will review the high points from a 2023 PDPW Business Conference session; tune in for tips on better managing during times of rapid change, rising interest rates and evolving technology.
- Dr. Brady Brewer, PhD, assistant professor, Agricultural Economics Department, Purdue University
Tune in for a discussion on navigating through farm transitions, including maintaining and strengthening family relationships through the process as well as sorting through the responsibilities, and accompanying relationship and emotional challenges that can arise.
- Monica McConkey, Rural Mental Health Counselor, Eyes on the Horizon Consulting
With spring weather finally arriving, take a look at the economic, exports and market factors that will impact your farm and the dairy industry during the 2023 growing season and beyond.
- Dan Basse, President, AgResource Company
Week 153: Culling Factors, Obstetrics & Solar-Power Ventilation: (watch now)
Tuesday, April 4
Culling decisions impact the bottom line and play an important part of a farm’s financial and environmental sustainability. Learn how herd-turnover rates influence milk production and methane generation in a session that received top reviews at the 2023 PDPW Business Conference.
- Dr. Daryl Nydam, DVM, PhD, Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University
Bring your entire team up to speed in this discussion of maternity and obstetric care, including pre-, mid- and post-delivery signs to watch for, protocols for safe deliveries and best practices for the safety of handlers and cows. We’re providing an opportunity for a broader audience to hear about this important topic that was a Hands-on Hub session at the 2023 PDPW Business Conference.
- Dr. Ryan Breuer, DVM, Clinical Assistant Professor of Large Animal Internal Medicine, UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, and Diagnostic Case & Outreach Coordinator, UW-Madison
Tune in to hear about new research on the use of solar-power ventilation to reduce heat stress and increase welfare for dairy calves house in outdoor hutches.
- Dr. Jimena Laporta, Assistant Professor, Lactation Physiology Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at UW-Madison
Week 152: Silage Safety, Mastitis Control and Market Update: (watch now)
Tuesday, March 28
Silage season is one of the busiest and most dangerous time for dairy teams. Attendees at the 2023 PDPW Business Conference found the strategies unique and impactful approaches for saving lives. Now you can share it with your whole team.
- Connie Kuber, Co-Owner, Connor Agriscience
Discuss the latest research on antibiotic use for mastitis control in dairy cows and take a closer look at opportunities for antibiotic-free alternatives to control mastitis during the dry period. This topic generated a lot of interest after being presented at the recent PDPW Business Conference, so we’re giving it exposure to a broader audience.
- Dr. Hilario Mantovani, PhD, Assistant Professor, Animal & Dairy Sciences, UW-Madison
- Ana Julia Moreira, Research Intern, Animal & Dairy Sciences, UW-Madison
How has the first quarter of 2023 compared to expectations and what’s ahead for the rest of the year? Tune in for a discussion on the market, weather and economic factors that will drive the dairy industry and impact your farm’s bottom line.
- Dan Basse, President, AgResource Company
Week 151: Grazing Practices, Robotic Calf Feeders & Dairy Policy: (watch now)
Tuesday, March 21
Elevate soil health and bottom line by grazing dairy heifers. Tune in for a discussion of best practices that will deliver benefits for your animals and land.
- Jason Cavadini, Grazing Specialist and Certified Professional Agronomist, UW-Madison Extension
Considering robotic calf feeders? Join this panel discussion of dairy producers who will share their experiences, including pros, cons and what they would do differently.
- Amy Penterman, Manager, Dutch Dairy LLC
- Jordan Ebert, Ebert Enterprise
Learn about the latest happenings in dairy policy at the national level and what industry leaders will be watching for the rest of 2023. Episode presenter will be:
- Jim Mulhern, President & CEO, National Milk Producers Federation