Progressive Dairy Podcast

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast , learn from National Mastitis Council president and director of Udder Health Systems Justine Britten as she and host Matti McBride discuss milk quality. Enjoy a conversation about changes in milk quality, innovations that have changed how milk quality is managed on dairies, common problems in parlors, tips for sampling milk for mastitis cultures an...

In this episode, we will introduce you to the 2025 Nexus Innovation Award winners. They were recently recognized at Professional Dairy Producers Business Conference. One of the award winners is an innovative new lending marketplace that can help producers find funding for tech-centered projects. Another winner has a sort gate that uses electromagnets and springs to operate and makes less noise dur...

DMI’s Anne Marie Splitstone, EVP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, and Silvia Robles, VP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, speak with DMI’s Scott Wallin about the evolution of fluid milk innovation since 2015, emphasizing consumer insights and industry partnerships. They highlight the role of the Dairy Foods Research Center Network, which includes 150 R&D experts, in driving innovati...

Raising healthy calves isn’t just about helping them survive their first weeks—it’s about setting them up for lifetime productivity. One of the biggest factors in long-term success? Gut health. In this episode, Taylor Wolfe, a territory sales representative with DBC Ag Products, shares what she’s seeing on Northeast dairy farms and why prioritizing gut health and immune support from day one leads...

Connecticut dairy producer Amanda Freund recently took the national stage to promote her product Cow Pots (and in turn, the dairy industry) during a televised episode of Shark Tank. Host Kimmi Devaney sat down with her to learn about this experience and how this product has changed manure management on their farm over the past 20-plus years, how diversifying their farm has been a game changer and...

Afimilk recently released the first product to accurately identify individual cow dry matter intake and calculate the feed efficiency of each animal. Product manager, Veronica Shabtai, DVM, shares the research behind the ground-breaking development and producer Jacob de Jong from Parkview Dairy in California, talks about how he's used the service to enhance the accuracy and profitability of his cu...

Dairy farmers have several options when designing and implementing beef-on-dairy programs. One approach is breeding dairy cows to beef sires, producing crossbred calves that enter the beef value chain. However, an increasing number of dairies are choosing HerdFlex beef embryos , which result in full-beef calves. Evaluating embryo quality is crucial for dairy farmers when considering beef-on-dairy...

There’s a new type of AI in town, and one you might not be as familiar with. Shari van de Pol, CEO of Cattleytics, joins host Matti McBride to explain how and why dairies can benefit from artificial intelligence. Learn the different types of AI, what applications you might use it for and understand the benefits and limitations of this technology.

Brad Peterson, VP of Sales at Total Farm Marketing, discusses how AI-powered tools and proactive strategies are transforming dairy marketing and risk management. He explores how the TFM360 system uses AI and data-driven insights to help dairy farmers optimize milk pricing, manage feed and fuel costs, and navigate market volatility. Brad also shares how Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) insurance work...

On this Progressive Dairy Podcast , Matt Dodd, DVM, a Ruminant Field Technical Specialist with Diamond V, shares strategies to support the herd throughout the marathon of heat stress season. As the season progresses, producers implement different strategies to help the herd combat heat and humidity. He will dive into pre-season prep, management adjustments and the use of additives, such as Diamond...

Tune into this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to learn about dairy policy, what is new in Washington D.C. and how it is affecting dairy right now from Gregg Doud, who is the president and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF).  Here's a breakdown of the episode: [~1:05] Overview of Doud’s background, previous roles, etc. [~5:00] Doud shares what’s new in Washington D.C. in the...

Join host Matti McBride as she chats with Ryan Leiterman, director of technical services at Crystal Creek Natural, about calf barn ventilation. Learn the difference between a good or bad draft in calf barns, Leiterman’s suggestions for design and his recommendations for airspeed in barns.  Here is the episode breakdown: 0:40 – Leiterman’s background 2:00 – Defining a draft 4:20 – A recipe for a “b...

This podcast explores the role of probiotics in maintaining the health and productivity of dairy cows and calves. It highlights how specific probiotic strains enhance gut health, digestion, and immune function, leading to improved herd stability and fewer health challenges. Key points: Strain Selection Matters : Not all probiotics are equal—specific strains provide targeted benefits, making strain...

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast , learn how to set your star employees up for success as they transition into a supervisor role. Dr. Bob Milligan joins host Kimmi Devaney to chat about easing stress during this leadership transition, getting buy-in from other employees as their peer becomes their supervisor, skills that are essential to work on before transitioning into a leadersh...

DMI’s Megan Maisano and Aris Georgiadis speak with DMI’s Scott Wallin about how the checkoff is sharing dairy’s impact on children with the “First 1000 Days”. She also explains how the checkoff is promoting this research through our nutrition and health professionals and to consumers via trusted online resource centers. Tune in to find out! Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast The Your Dairy Checkoff Podca...

Veterinarian Michelle Schack joins host Matti McBride on this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to discuss the importance of employee training and management. Learn more about why documentation, communication and repetition matters regarding training. Here is the episode breakdown: 0:50 – Schack’s background 1:40 – The importance of documentation 3:08 – Training at onboarding 6:00 – Schack...

Mental health among veterinarians has been a hot topic in the industry for several years. In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast , Dr. Jen Roberts from Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) joins host Kimmi Devaney to discuss the importance of mental health among veterinarians and dairy producers, examine survey data and share some tips for how people involved in agriculture can improve their physic...

HerdFlex beef embryos are great tool for dairies that are taking advantage of the beef on dairy trend. Embryos offer more than obtaining calves with a higher market value. A number of farms have also found embryos can have a positive impact on dairy herd reproductive performance, especially in the case of cows that have been bred with semen multiple times without conceiving. This episode is sponso...

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast , Bethany Dado-Senn of Vita Plus joins host Matti McBride to discuss calf care. Learn from Dado-Senn as she discusses the importance of colostrum quality and management, general sanitation, calf management in the winter months, the benefits of pair housing calves and more.  Here is the episode breakdown: 0:50 – Dado-Senn’s background 2:15 – The impo...

Join Progressive Dairy Podcast co-hosts Kimmi Devaney, Walt Cooley and Matti McBride – along with special guest David Cooper, who is the managing editor of Progressive Cattle magazine – for a recap of their favorite articles, podcast episodes and some of the biggest dairy news stories of 2024. Stay tuned to the end for an entertaining New Year's-themed round of rapid-fire questions to learn what t...

Join Wisconsin dairy farmer Dan Scheps and agronomist Parker Heise as they discuss the benefits of HarvXtra® Alfalfa. From improved forage quality and harvest flexibility to the potential for increased milk production and feed efficiency, this episode covers why HarvXtra® Alfalfa is a must for modern dairy operations. Tune in to learn how it can help boost your farm's productivity and profitabilit...

USDA reports indicate that the incidence rate of mastitis has increased from 13% in 1996 to 25% in 2014. Considering the average case of clinical mastitis in the United States costs an average of $569, it’s imperative for dairy producers to adopt protocols to prevent this costly disease. Dr. Craig Louder, Axiota® technical service veterinarian, joins us to discuss the importance of udder health, t...

Join host Kimmi Devaney as she chats with Oregon dairy producer and Progressive Dairy columnist Dwayne Faber about moving the dairies to another state, how he keeps employees motivated when he cannot always be there, the qualities he looks for in key employees and what has surprised him most during the transition from managing two farms nearby to managing them from afar. Here is a breakdown of the...

It’s the big question. And the one Dr. Todd Bilby is asked most often. What can a dairy do to boost repro efficiency? In this Progressive Dairy sponsorcast, listen in as Dr. Bilby, Merck Animal Health Director of Dairy Technical Services, discusses his repro philosophy and what solutions move margins. Episode highlights include: Using technology to increase hormone effectiveness Comparing prostagl...

Join Barb O’Brien, CEO of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), and Marilyn Hershey, a Pennsylvania dairy farmer and Chair of DMI, as they explore the exciting “dairy renaissance” fueled by rising consumer engagement, health professional endorsements, and cutting-edge social media campaigns, the dairy industry is experiencing a powerful revival. O’Brien delves into the “Now, Next, Future” strategy—where th...