dairyvoice

Terrific production from a healthy, profitable herd - including a world record cow - is the hallmark for the husband and wife team of Scott Pralle and Pam Selz-Pralle who dairy near Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In this episode of DairyVoice, they not only share some of their management keys for the herd with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News, but also their approach for successful employees. Their analysis of the future of their business is fascinating as well. And don't miss their farm's website at www.selzpralledairy.com.

There is a lot going on at Kings Ransom Farm in Schuylerville, New York. In this episode of DairyVoice, Jeff King talks with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News about how the King family is breeding and managing the 2200 head registered holstein herd, farming in Saratoga County and more recently, starting an on-farm milk processing business.

Dairy producer David Jones talks about the robotic milkers he and his family have installed on their dairy near Stevinson in California's Central Valley. And they're in the process of adding more. In his discussion with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News, he shares the benefits and the challenges as they convert from a flat barn parlor. David is also a Robotic Specialist for DeLaval North America, having experience working with dairies in the West and Midwest faced with the decision about milking systems.

Brittany Olson dairy farms with her husband and his family in Barron County, Wisconsin. She's also a writer and an advocate for traditional small size operations. She believes a dairy industry with diverse farm sizes are more resilient and provide long term security for dairy consumers. To insure that future, though, she explains to Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News that a fair pricing system is required.

An innovative dairy producer and committed industry leader, Marilyn Hershey from Ar-Joy Farms in Pennsylvania tells her story in this episode of DairyVoice. She talks with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News about installing a manure digester with some unique business partnerships, using unusual byproducts in the dairy feeding program and safeguarding the sensitive Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Her commitment to family, community and dairy is inspiring.

Fourth generation dairyman Michael Turley has launched a premium line of dairy products from his 120-cow Registered Holstein herd in southern Illinois. After a career culminating as CEO of one of the largest agriculture advertising agencies in the U.S., he came home to the farm with his family, using his marketing savvy to reach consumers in exciting new ways. 

In this DairyVoice podcast, Michael talks with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News about how he ties his registered holstein business with the consumer milk buyer. He explains that this is the secret to his strategy. Turley says that they connect with consumers as animal lovers. He feels that understanding the lens through which the consumer is interpreting the dairy industry is of vital importance to the dairy producer, especially the smaller dairy farm. And, that it is vital that dairy professionals understand that most consumers are viewing dairy cows through the experience of their companion animal experience.

What are possibilities for the food industry and specifically in dairy as we move through the COVID-19 pandemic? In DairyVoice episode 20, the guest is Fred Schonenberg of VentureFuel, which helped California Milk do a "shark tank" style program. Schonenberg shares insights with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News on what might lie ahead. 

He explains that what the pandemic has done is take any flaws in a company’s business model and accelerated the reality of whatever that vulnerability might be. Schonenberg suggests that organizations take a hard look at in the mirror and say, “Here are things that we have to address.  Let’s address them now before they become an issue.” Spoiler alert... the rate of change in the food and ag industry, including dairy, won't slow down!

DairyVoice podcast Episode 11 features Dr. Mark Stephenson. This noted dairy economist is predicting $20 milk in 2020. However, he adds a word of caution to his projections. In his DairyVoice interview with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness News, he outlines the factors at play in dairy for 2020. Dr. Stephenson thinks it will be a year of recovery for producers. Mark Stephenson is the Director of Dairy Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. 

Dairying in Florida for 40 years, Don Bennink of North Florida Holsteins has learned a few things about cow care, working with employees and making a lot of milk. With 6500 cows on 3X milking, he has a staff of 150 workers caring for 12,000 head of all ages. Bennink is also known for his considered opinions about AI and cattle breeding, dairy cooperatives and what it takes to succeed in business, no matter your herd size.  In this episode of DairyVoice, Don shares his thoughts with Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness on these topics and more.

As if dairy producers don't have enough to deal with, there is a new contaminant that has appeared on several dairy farms across the country. It's called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). PFAS have been manufactured and used worldwide since the 1940s. There is emerging evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects and it's receiving attention from the public and regulators. Several dairies have already been impacted. In this edition of DairyVoice, host Joel Hastings of DairyBusiness interviews two guests who shed light on this topic.

Leah Ziemba is an attorney with Michael Best in Madison, Wisconsin, with experience helping dairy clients. Matt Schroeder is an environmental engineer with Dragun Corporation in Farmington Hills, Michigan.