Training Sessions
Presenters and topics by week, with a brief description of each day's episode topic and featured presenter(s):
Week 116: Nutrient & crop management tips, ringworm and pinkeye: (watch now)
Tuesday, July 12
Ringworm and pinkeye are common, easily transmissible diseases dairy farmers sometimes face in their herds. Tackle myths and misconceptions about these ailments and learn the most effective treatments and preventions in a fact-or-fiction format.
- Dr. Chelsea Holschbach, DVM, MS, DACVIM, Assistant Professor in Large Animal Medicine and Food Animal Production Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine
- Dr. Ryan Breuer, DVM, Clinical Assistant Professor of Large Animal Internal Medicine, UW-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, and Diagnostic Case & Outreach Coordinator, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Wednesday, July 13
Managing nutrients effectively can improve crop performance and boost the bottom line. Hear about changes that can be made based on fertilizer prices and supplies, evaluating soil tests to target phosphorous and potassium needs, and properly crediting manure and legumes to reduce commercial purchases.
- Dave West, agronomist, West Agronomics
- Justin Peterson, partner, Creamery Creek Holsteins, LLC
Thursday, July 14
As the growing season progresses, hear about the effects of heat stress on young crops and management tips to get the best performance in early-growth stages.
- Dr. Joe Lauer, Professor, Agronomy, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UW-Madison
Week 115: Side-dressing manure, fly control & market update: (watch now)
Tuesday, July 5
Side-dressing corn with manure can help save costs on commercial fertilizer. Hear about how to effectively apply and manage this valuable resource.
- Glen Arnold, Associate Professor, Field Specialist, Manure Nutrient Management at Ohio State University Extension
Fly control is a hot topic during summer months. Hear from dairy producers who will share how they manage fly populations in calf-raising areas.
- Christine Bender, Owner/Herd Manager, McFarlandale Dairy LLC, Watertown, Wis.
- Sherry Arnold, Busse’s Barron Acres, Barron, Wis.
As we move into the second half of 2022, hear about the market, export and industry news that will impact the dairy industry now and over the next several months.
- Dan Basse, President of AgResource Company
Week 114: Human trafficking, vitamin D research & ground water: (watch now)
Tuesday, June 28
Human trafficking can and does happen everywhere, unfortunately. Learn what signs to look for in rural areas and in agricultural workforces, and what you can do to prevent it.
- Paul Marik, Captain of Patrol Division, village of Pleasant Prairie, Wis.
Sponsored by Balchem, this Rising Stars Graduate Research Showcase features recent graduates from the Nelson Lab at the University of Florida. Their work focuses on vitamin nutrition and physiology, with fresh research on the effects of maternal choline and vitamin supplementation on offspring performance and vitamin D supplementation during development on first-lactation performance. A trio of presenters will share summaries of their research as it pertains to heifer development.
- Ana Vieira, Enogen Account Lead, Syngenta
- Samantha Zeitler, Yield Analyst, JBS USA
- Dr. Corwin Nelson, PhD, Associate Professor of Physiology, Immunology, and Endocrinology, University of Florida
Learn about the underpinnings of Wisconsin geology and how it impacts groundwater. This episode will also explore the water yields of wells, as well as the resources available in Wisconsin and other states.
- David Hart, Hydrogeologist, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
Week 113: Cover crops, alfalfa management & market update: (watch now)
Tuesday, June 21
With the corn and soybean growing season finally underway, many producers are turning attention to cover crops for the next season. Hear about best practices for aerial seeding and interseeding cover crops into corn and soybeans, as well as strategies for optimizing typical conservation plots such as waterways and buffers. We’ll also discuss cover-cropping small grains.
- Matthew Oehmichen, Co-Owner, Short Lane AG Supply LLC
Understand the impact that fertilizer deficiencies can have on alfalfa growth and quality, and learn what options exist if you have deficiencies in your crop.
- Dr. Don Miller, Ph.D., Director of Product Development, Alforex Seeds
We’re a week away from the halfway point of 2022. Tune in to hear about the trends, opportunities and challenges that will shape the next six months in dairy and agricultural markets.
- Dan Basse, President of AgResource Company
Week 112: Heifer nutrition, barn microclimates and beef checkoff: (watch now)
Tuesday, June 14
Understanding heifer-growth benchmarks from weaning to calving and hitting targets for their nutritional needs is key. Dr. Akins will discuss those details and offer strategies for controlling growth and feed costs for pregnant heifers.
- Dr. Matt Akins, Associate Scientist and Extension Dairy Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Learn about how microclimates inside barns can affect animal health, production and wellbeing, as well as other trends in housing and animal welfare.
- Dr. Nigel Cook, DVM, Professor in Food Animal Production Medicine at UW-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine; Chair of the Department of Medical Sciences
- Dr. Jennifer Van Os, PhD., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Animal Welfare, UW-Madison
Hear about the latest consumer research in beef purchasing and promotion from state and national checkoff leaders. They’ll also share promotions and recipes to keep beef on the grill and dinner tables during the summer months.
- Angie Horkan, Director of Marketing, Wisconsin Beef Council
- Sarah Reece, Sr. Executive Director, Brand Marketing, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
- Mandy Carr Johnson, PhD, Sr. Executive Director, Scientific Affairs, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Week 111: Beef processing, CDR updates & hauling cattle : (watch now)
Tuesday, May 31
As of Memorial Day, the summer grilling season has officially kicked off; tune in to learn how inflation and pricing trends have impacted plants, products, pricing, availability and exports.
- Steve Van Lannen, President and Chief Operating Officer of American Foods Group
Researchers and leaders at the Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus will share updates on innovative projects happening at the center.
- John Jaeggi, Cheese Industry and Applications Coordinator, Center for Dairy Research
- Dean Sommer, Cheese & Food Technologist, Center for Dairy Research
- Nathan Price, Dairy Ingredients Coordinator, Center for Dairy Research
Learn about vaccination and quarantine protocols to keep cattle healthy during shipment while also protecting the animals in their new herds. Also to be discussed; ID and traceability requirements for moving cattle into Wisconsin.
- Dr. Darlene Konkle, DVM, MS, DACVIM, State Veterinarian, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
- Dr. Amelia Woolums, DVM, MVSc, PhD, DACVIM, DACVM, Professor, Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, Mississippi State University
Week 110: Financial Planning, Feeding Behavior and Market Update: (watch now)
Tuesday, May 24
Tune in for a discussion on risk management and budgeting for the remainder of 2022. Now is a great time to review financials from the first quarter and adjust plans for coming months.
- Gary Sipiorski, independent business and financial consultant
- Dr. Kevin Bernhardt, Professor of Agribusiness at UW-Platteville School of Agriculture and Farm
Learn about the effects that dietary fiber and starch digestibility can have on your herd’s feeding behavior and lactation performance.
- Dr. Luiz Ferraretto, Assistant Professor and Ruminant Nutrition Extension Specialist, UW-Madison
Join the bi-weekly discussion on the latest dairy industry and weather news and hear an analysis of agricultural markets and trends expected to impact dairy producers and the ag industry.
- Dan Basse, President of AgResource Company
Week 109: Prepare for summer - Heat stress and fire prevention: (watch now)
Tuesday, May 17
Protecting yourself and your team from the sun and heat stress has both short- and long-term health benefits. Learn strategies for working and playing safely in the heat, including sun-protection tips and how to prevent and identify heat stress and heat stroke. Episode presenter will be:
- Leslie Olivares, Education and Outreach Specialist, Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, University of California, Davis
A quick response can save property and lives in case of a fire. Discover important tips to prevent common fire hazards and learn how to respond when equipment or tractors overheat – or when a fire starts in a barn. Episode presenter will be:
- Gerald Minor, Fire Chief, Pittsville Fire Department
Take a closer look into how heat stress impacts dairy cow reproduction, including longer breed-back time, incidence of twins and more. Learn practical strategies to combat these adverse effects during warmer summer months. Episode presenter will be:
- Dr. Paul Fricke, PhD, Dairy Reproduction Specialist at University of Wisconsin-Madison
Week 108: Life Balance, Off Farm Investments & a Market Update: (watch now)
Tuesday, May 10
A dairy farmer panel will share perspectives on balancing the many obligations of business and family. Clark and Pollack will share their strategies for managing stress, schedules and more – and the live Q&A gives listeners the chance to ask their burning questions. Episode presenters:
- Janet Clark, Dairy Farmer and Co-Owner, Vision Aire Farm LLC, Eldorado, Wis.
- Chris Pollack, Dairy Farmer, Pollack-Vu Dairy, Ripon, Wis.
How should today’s dairy farmers approach investing in off-farm assets such as retirement accounts, life insurance and all the other options? Tune in for discussion of how much should be set aside and which investments are the right fit for farm families. Episode presenters:
- Brian Hoskens, Vice President of Agricultural Banking and Senior Lender, Nicolet National Bank
- P.J. Madson, Senior Vice President of Wealth Management, Nicolet National Bank
Hear an update on the latest market and industry news impacting dairy and agricultural markets in the bi-weekly market update episode. Episode presenter:
- Dan Basse, President of AgResource Company
Week 107: Effective Meetings, Alfalfa Harvest & Feed Variation: (watch now)
Tuesday, May 3
Time is money for busy dairy teams. Make the most of management-team meetings by inviting the right team members and practicing effective meeting techniques.
- Liz Griffith, Market Development, Human Resource Consultant, Encore Consultants
- Tim Schaefer, CFP, Certified Family Business Advisor, Certified Professional Business Coach, Encore Consultants
Maximize your 2022 alfalfa harvest with strategies for optimizing forage quality and yield, harvest planning for different varieties and identifying the right times for cutting.
- Dr. Don Miller, Ph.D., Director of Product Development, Alforex Seeds
Fluctuations in feed and ingredient markets combined with the ongoing uncertainty in the Ukraine make feed variation more critical than ever. Discover what feed variation really is and how to lower feed costs in today’s markets.
- 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