Cow-Side Conversations

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! As we celebrate National Dairy Month this June, Maria Forry, a dairy producer from Lancaster County, Pa., shared how Oregon Dairy Farm LLC’s annual event – Family Farm Days – reaches up to 10,000 people each year. In this episode of “Cow-Side Conversations,” Maria described the planning process, the partnerships they have f...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Michelle Kirk, a former beef producer from Adams County, Pa., opened up about how the unexpected loss of her husband has affected her mental health and her future in agriculture. In this episode of “Cow-Side Conversations,” Michelle recounted several deeply personal stories abou...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! With fertilizer costs at an all-time high, innovative planting strategies can help dairy producers keep costs low. In this episode of “Cow-Side Conversations,” Ben Peckman from Slate Ridge Dairy in Franklin County, Pa. shared what he does to boost soil fertility, keep costs low, and make the best use of his acreage. He also...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! For Candice Dotterer White from Dotterer Dairy in Clinton County, Pa., raising steers and adding beef into their breeding program started out as a simple solution to a feed problem. In this episode of “Cow-Side Conversations,” Candice shared how it has evolved into a new opportunity to diversify their dairy operation by rai...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! What is this all for? How do we make sure all family members are secure? How should we manage labor shortages and a changing workforce? How can we use technology to help build a legacy for our dairy farm? In this episode of “Cow-Side Conversations,” Donny Bartch of Merrimart Farms in Perry County, Pa. discussed these questi...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! When it comes to calf care and management, you don’t get a redo. In this episode of “Cow-Side Conversations,” Greta Halahan & Virginia Deffibaugh from Singing Brook Farms in Bedford County, Pa. share how they get their calves off to a good start and how important it is to define your protocols to ensure excellence from...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! Happy New Year! With 2021 almost behind us, enjoy this bonus episode of “Cow-Side Conversations” featuring some of our favorite moments from Season One. Over the last year, we’ve interviewed dairy farmers from across the state – from Wayne County just a few miles from New York to Westmoreland County near Pittsburgh.  As dai...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! Our employees are essential to every aspect of our business, especially on dairy operations. With Willow Behrer Farms in Huntingdon County, PA recently being recognized by the National FARM Program for their efforts in workforce development, Allen Behrer and Pete Posnett joined us for this episode of “Cow-Side Conversations...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! To kick off Season 2 of Cow-Side Conversations, John Kline of Lebanon County, PA shares how creating a successful transition plan for his five sons has helped them take on responsibilities and make decisions for Klinedale Farms and their satellite embryo business. Passing the dairy farm on to his sons – who he describes as...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! With October being American Cheese Month, Emily Montgomery of Calkins Creamery on Highland Farms in Wayne County, PA shared how she got her start with cheese-making. With her team making about 1,500 pounds of cheese a week, Emily discussed how she manages quality and consistency, drives profitability for her family’s dairy...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! Safety protocols are a critical part of your dairy business to protect yourself and your employees. As we enter the fall harvest season, Brett Reinford of Reinford Farms in Juniata County, PA opened up about a farm accident he experienced last November — an accident he describes as “a direct hit, not a near miss.” In our 11...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! One expense that is often overlooked on dairy farms is energy-related costs. In our 10th episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Josh Waddell of Apple Shamrock Dairy Farm in Crawford County, PA describes his model for success. Josh shares how an energy audit led to new opportunities and savings, and he breaks down several ways h...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! Over the past few months, we have seen feed costs rising exponentially as grain market prices reached record highs and remain well above historical averages. With overall feed costs representing anywhere from 35 to 70 percent of the total costs on a dairy, Walt Moore of Walmoore Holsteins in Chester County, PA shares his go...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! June is extra special in Pennsylvania. Not only is it June Dairy Month, but Holstein breeders from all over the country are coming to the southeast corner of our state to celebrate the National Holstein Convention and to spotlight Pennsylvania Holstein genetics. In our eighth episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Duane Hershey...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! After a barn fire in 2008 and a near fatal accident in 2018 where he found himself between a gate and an oncoming skidloader, Chuck Carr of Lone Oak Farm joined us for our seventh episode of Cow-Side Conversations to share his inspiring journey toward recovery – both physically and mentally. With May being Mental Health Awa...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! In our sixth episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Jason Frye of Pleasant Lane Farms in Westmoreland County, describes how a simple business plan helped his family transform their dairy and enter the value-added space to begin making cheese. After working in the high-tech space, Jason shares how they are adopting and embracing...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! In this fifth episode of Cow Side Conversations, Alan Waybright from Mount Rock Dairy in Newville, Cumberland County, shares his thoughts on transitioning into a new facility and investing in low-cost improvements to aid in cow comfort and herd performance. He also discusses how he leverages outside consultants to fine tune...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! In this fourth episode of Cow Side Conversations, Carissa Westrick from Vale Wood Farms in Loretto, Cambria County, shares insight their farm family has gained from spending the last 80+ years in the value-added space. She also shares perspective she learned from their agritourism efforts geared to connecting with their cus...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! Dry matter is more than just a number on this dairy farm. For Brubaker Farms in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, it's not just about getting pounds of dry matter into the cows  – it’s how that dry matter is being converted into milk that really matters. In this episode, Tony Brubaker shares how tracking dry matter intake is he...

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! With the COVID-19 vaccine just approved by the FDA, everyone is talking about viruses, quarantine, and vaccines right now. In this episode, Nate Heim, the general manager at Yippee! Farms in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, shares his perspective and experience with vaccination protocols and biosecurity on the dairy farm.

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! In this episode, Mark Mosemann, a partner at Misty Mountain Dairy in Fulton County, Pennsylvania, shares how they use risk management to protect both their input costs and milk price margins. Find out why Mark sees it as an important part of his farm's day-to-day business strategy. 

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! In the trailer, meet your host Jayne Sebright and find out what to expect in this new series featuring real-time farmer insight, tricks of the trade, and inspiring stories from dairies around Pennsylvania.