Progressive Dairy Podcast

Raising calves is hard, and good help is harder to find. Dr. Jeremy Schefers, Merck Animal Health DVM, explains how SenseHub®️ Dairy Youngstock monitoring is stepping in as 24/7 "competent help" for producers managing tighter labor and bigger herds. Conversation includes: What the technology tracks and why it starts at just 27 hours of age How early detection changes treatment decisions and outcom...

In this episode, join host Kimmi Devaney and Ad van Velde for a discussion about educational opportunities offered through Global Dairy Farmers, the technology he uses on his dairy farm in the Netherlands and a look at the dairy industry around the world. Episode overview: [~1:05] About van Velde’s dairy farm in the Netherlands [~5:30] On-farm technology [~6:45] Generating electricity on the farm...

How does dairy checkoff turn nutrition science into consumer action? In this episode of the Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast , Scott Wallin sits down with Aris Georgiadis to discuss the consumer marketing strategies helping build trust and grow dairy sales. From the First 1,000 Days initiative and partnerships with trusted parenting resources to retail programs like We Are Family and the Dairy Does Mor...

As dairy producers look to maximize profitability, every pregnancy needs a strategic lens. Join Jeremy Howard of Simplot Animal Sciences and Lauren Kimble of Select Sires as they discuss strategic breeding, beef-on-dairy opportunities, the growing value of uniform, consistent genetics to help producers capture value today and prepare for tomorrow's market demands. Learn more about SimVitro® Cattle...

Stacy Rethman joins guest host Audrey Schmitz in this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to discuss how she returned to her family’s dairy, Rottinghaus Holstein Farm in Seneca, Kansas. After teaching middle school science, she now helps manage their herd while educating consumers about dairy farming through outreach and social media. Episode breakdown: 0:40 – Rethman’s connection to farming...

Healthy calves begin with a healthy environment, and sometimes the most important challenges are found right at bedding level. In this episode, calf producer and researcher Dr. Dave Casper discusses what led him to investigate ammonia in calf hutches and the results of his research evaluating SurpHace ® (sodium bisulfate) as an environmental management tool. He shares what the study revealed about...

Tara Hill and Emma Hill-Macmillan join guest host Audrey Schmitz in this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to chat about how dairywomen find balance between the farm and caring for their families. Learn how they work side by side on Charles Hill and Son Dairy in Central Onslow, Nova Scotia, and have a shared work ethic and passion for agriculture to advance their family farm. Episode breakd...

Rick Boyer is the dairy/agriculture account manager for Vaughan Company. Rick has been with Vaughan Company since 2012, where he started in the manure department, and his expertise is manure. He has had a hand in most dairy and ag applications offering suggestions and solutions, from large commercial operations to small farms. This episode is sponsored by Vaughan Company. Visit the Vaughan Company...

Artificial intelligence (AI) and big data are revolutionizing industries—so why is dairy only now catching up? In this episode, we explore: Why the dairy value chain is embracing AI now How DDW is using data to support smarter, more sustainable dairy operations The journey from raw farm data to actionable AI insights Don’t miss this conversation on the future of dairy tech! This episode is sponsor...

Join host Matti McBride as she chats with dairy producer Erica Hermonot in this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast . Learn about Hermonot’s dairy, operating a farm store, welcoming kids to the farm each year and hosting the local county fair birthing center. Hermonot also touches on the importance of community outreach for dairy producers. Listen to learn more. Episode breakdown: 1:00 – Rapi...

Every day, dairy producers balance countless decisions across people, cows and operations. As technology continues to evolve, the challenge isn't access to information. It's knowing what matters most and what action to take next. In this episode, Mark Moran and Jennifer Stamey of VAS join Walt Cooley of Progressive Dairy to discuss how connected systems can help bring clarity to complex operations...

Join host Matti McBride on this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast as she chats with California dairy producer Stephen Mast. Learn more about Mast’s dairy, priorities for his herd, how he mates cows and what he is excited about with the August 2026 bull proofs. Episode breakdown: 1:20 – Rapid-fire questions 4:20 – Mast’s dairy and background 8:15 – Maintaining the dairy footprint 14:45 – Rep...

Dr. Joe Armstrong, Zoetis Dairy Technical Services Veterinarian, joins the Progressive Dairy Podcast to discuss trends in calf wellness and the importance of a comprehensive approach to disease management. Armstrong shares the compounding cost of calfhood disease and a specific threat that calf care teams need to be on the lookout for, Mycoplasma bovis (M. Bovis) . M. bovis can create the perfect...

In this episode of Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast , economist Dr. Oral Capps of Texas A&M University breaks down more than a decade of independent research measuring the impact of the dairy checkoff. Speaking from the 2025 Joint Annual Meeting, Dr. Capps shares how checkoff investments across food service partnerships, fluid milk innovation, whole-fat dairy science and exports are delivering stro...

Is your dairy farm prepared for a fire, natural disaster or another type of emergency? Does your team know what to do? Join host Kimmi Devaney and Dan Rice from Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance Company for a discussion about the first steps a dairy farm should take, how to develop contingency plans, and tips to build proactive relationships with first responders that will save precious minutes wh...

Dr. Todd Bilby, Director of Dairy Technical Services at Merck Animal Health, and sales rep Josh Churchwell discuss the real cost of poor reproductive management on the dairy. They cover what makes ESTRUMATE® (cloprostenol injection) uniquely effective, how SenseHub® Dairy monitoring technology can combine with hormones for greater repro rates and why the Merck Animal Health partnership is so valua...

Incorporating high-oleic soybeans in your dairy ration is gaining interest. Join us as we talk with dairy consultant Dr. Lynn Davis about the key considerations for dairy producers and nutritionists looking to implement this feed source. We will compare the logistics of growing versus buying beans and address regional availability. The discussion also covers essential quality control steps for on-...

 Success in today’s dairy industry requires aligning genetics, management, and market demands. In this episode, our industry partners share how they help producers integrate Simplot Animal Sciences’ SimVitro IVF embryos into daily operations to help producers drive consistency, adapt to changing markets and create long-term profitability across diverse regions and customer needs. This episode is s...

Join Brad Guse from BMO and host Kimmi Devaney for a discussion about what sets excellent dairy producers apart from the rest. Learn which financial metrics they focus on, risk management strategies and how they build a great team culture while fine-tuning their own leadership skills. Here is an episode overview. [~2:10] The financial metrics that excellent dairy producers focus on [~5:50] The rol...

In this episode, Pablo Janowicz, global key account manager from Dairy Data Warehouse , explores how technology is helping transform the dairy industry through data and artificial intelligence (AI). We discuss the challenges of accessing farm data, the innovative technology that makes data collection simple and automated, and the rigorous quality processes required to ensure data is accurate, stan...

Join Progressive Dairy Podcast co-hosts Matti McBride and Kimmi Devaney, along with Progressive Dairy Editor Jenn Coyne, for a special commemorative episode celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Episode breakdown: 1:30 – How Progressive Dairy is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary 4:30 – Summary of special elements in the July 1 issue of Progress...

DMI’s Gail Legaspi-Gaull, Group EVP of Strategic Insights and Planning, joins DMI’s Scott Wallin to break down how strategic intelligence is helping the dairy industry stay ahead of change. From analyzing consumer behavior and market trends to forecasting what’s next, Gail explains how these insights are used to shape marketing, drive product innovation, and support global partnerships that grow d...

Matthew Evangelo sits down with host Matti McBride in this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to chat about milking Holsteins and Jerseys, mastitis management and vermiculture. Learn about Evangelo’s career in dairy, current management practices and future plans at Bar E Dairy and their commitment to sustainability.  Episode breakdown: 1:00 – Rapid-fire questions 2:00 – Evangelo’s background...

In this episode, Dr. Blaine Ellison, owner of Applied Biotechnologies Inc.  details the uses of a new product QFA. When used during the pre-fresh period and in the first groups fresh where possible, ketosis can be controlled, dry matter intakes will remain at far-off dry group levels without dropping, uterine health will improve, and first-service conception rates, especially in first-lactation he...

In this sponsorcast, IFF Animal Nutrition & Health highlights its science‑driven approach to helping calves start strong and perform predictably. Drawing on more than 40 years of animal microbiome and nutritional expertise, IFF discusses how early‑life stress can compromise gut health and long‑term performance in dairy calves and calf ranch systems. The conversation focuses on two complementar...