Progressive Dairy Podcast

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...

Join host Kimmi Devaney as she chats with Jason Shamburg and Nic Schoenberger, founders and managing partners of Kansas Dairy Development (KDD), about raising dairy replacements and leading a dynamic, high-caliber team. KDD is a calf ranch and heifer-raising facility based in Deerfield, Kansas, that raises youngstock for dairy clients in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota...

Rising costs are reshaping dairy nutrition strategies as milk fat levels continue to increase across US herds. This episode examines how supply chain pressures and renewable diesel demand are influencing fat economics, while highlighting how different fatty acids affect intake, component efficiency, reproduction, and overall return on investment. Key takeaway: Diets balanced for functional fatty a...

Ben Dickman of Dickman and Sons Dairy joins host Matti McBride in this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to discuss how he creates pregnancies in 110°F temperatures. Learn what type of cooling system Dickman implements, what reproduction protocol he follows and more about his dairy in Coolidge, Arizona.  Episode breakdown: 0:40 – Rapid-fire questions 1:45 – Dickman’s background, Dickman and...

Join Kenley Zuga and Gene Spellman from Central Life Sciences as they highlight how feed-through fly control can help livestock producers manage fly populations more effectively. In this podcast, they will talk about how targeting flies early in their lifecycle can help reduce pressure on animals, improve overall comfort, and support better performance. They also underscore the importance of combi...

On this Progressive Dairy Podcast , Matt Hendel shares how herd data supports day-to-day decision-making on his dairy operation. From cow-side decisions to long-term herd management, this conversation highlights how disciplined, accurate data helps keep herd information organized, manage complexity, and support informed decisions with confidence. Drawing from years of experience using Dart—the pro...

This episode introduces you to the 2026 Nexus Innovation Award winners, recently recognized at the Professional Dairy Producers Business Conference. We're talking about three technologies that caught the judges' attention: a bolus administered at dry-off that cuts milk production 50% to 60% in 24 hours, an eartag that monitors calf activity from birth and alerts you when behavior deviates from nor...

Making good silage is an art and utilizing technologies can help us improve the process to deliver consistent feed to our animals. This episode is sponsored by Novonesis .

Join host Kimmi Devaney and dairyman George Dick from Dicklands Farm and Dicklands Biogas in Chilliwack, British Columbia, for a conversation about building and managing a digester, their genetics strategy and the evolution of their facilities over the last four decades.  Learn more about their digester by visiting their website .  Episode breakdown: [~0:40] History of Dicklands Farm and what insp...

Join us to explore how targeted beef-on-dairy breeding decisions can address key dairy farm challenges, including calf value optimization and breeding efficiency. Jeremy Howard, senior sales and marketing manager for Simplot Animal Sciences and Texas Tech graduate researcher Kade Miller will share insights from recent Simplot Animal Science feedlot performance research and what the findings mean f...

Feeding colostrum is arguably one of the most important processes on a dairy. Michael Steele of the University of Guelph joins host Matti McBride in this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to discuss passive immunity, feeding colostrum and transition milk past day 1, and current research in this field. Episode breakdown: 1:00 – Intro and rapid-fire questions 2:50 – Steele’s background 4:20 –...

With tight margins and volatile milk prices, rising insurance costs add a frustrating layer of complexity to your daily operation. In this episode, we sit down with Dan Rice, a Senior Dairy Consultant at Nationwide, to discuss tailored solutions for dairy farms. Dan shares his extensive background in the industry and explains the core reasons behind climbing premiums. More importantly, he offers p...

Sleep and healthy habits are often the first to be deprioritized during busy seasons on the farm. Join registered dietitian and sports dietitian Leslie Bonci and host Kimmi Devaney for an energetic discussion about how to feel great and set ourselves up for success when life gets busy. Bonci has worked with several professional sports teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, and shares tips to imp...

Welcome to this episode of the Progressive Dairy sponsorcast. Today we’re diving into a timely challenge facing dairy producers right now, managing feed costs and efficiency in a tight milk price environment. I'm joined by Daryl Kleinschmit, discovery researcher and dairy nutritionist with Zinpro. Zinpro has been a global leader in trace mineral nutrition for decades and continues to expand its po...

Columnist Ryan Dennis has been writing for Progressive Dairy for many years. In addition, he’s also a published author. His most recent book is titled Barn Gothic: Three Generations and the Death of the Family Dairy Farm . It's a memoir about his own family dairy farm. At the center of the story is his dad, who taught him everything about handling cattle, farming and running a dairy. Most dairy da...

On-farm accidents are costly, and farm injuries can happen during everyday tasks. In this episode, host Mike Opperman talks with Joe Buschor about what to expect during a safety audit, common safety hazards and the safety gaps that can happen among employees. Here is the episode breakdown: 2:14: Dairy farm safety audit 2:33: Farm walk through 3:04: Preparing your farm for a safety visit 4:30: Most...

DMI’s Dr. Chris Cifelli, Senior Vice President of Nutrition Research at National Dairy Council, speaks with DMI’s Scott Wallin about how the checkoff is expanding the body of science around whole milk, cheese, and yogurt. With more than 80 studies conducted over the last 20 years, the milk fat research shows that these foods not only help support childhood growth but may also reduce the risk of ty...

In this digital age, how are dairy producers making numbers work for them? Host Matti McBride chats with Pennsylvania dairy farmer Steve Harnish in this Progressive Dairy Podcast episode. Learn about Harnish’s dairy, which software reports he values and how he uses them to manage his herd.  Here is the episode breakdown: 1:00 – Rapid-fire questions 3:00 – About the dairy 7:15 – System operations 9...

On this  Progressive Dairy Podcast , Jade Lomax leads a conversation on a research-backed approach to evaluating transition cow performance using data from over 3 million lactation records and 25 cow-level variables. The discussion explores how comparing actual versus predicted energy-corrected milk (ECM) at first test can help identify gaps in transition support, dry period management and early h...

Today we’re talking about one of the most important — and most challenging — windows in the dairy cow’s year: the transition period. Joining us is Dr. Dana Tomlinson, Global Technical Services for Zinpro. Zinpro has been the global leader in Performance Trace Minerals for over five decades and has recently expanded its portfolio to include additional nutritional ingredients that are essential for...