PDP Manager's Memo

March 2024 Vol. 2

Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®

Your Farm - Your Footprint

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR YOUR FARM – YOUR FOOTPRINT? Dairy farmers should be in the driver’s seat when it comes to knowing and owning their farm’s environmental footprint score. Your Farm – Your Footprint™ is a new, farmer-led sustainability initiative now available to dairy producers across the country. The groundbreaking initiative measures a farm’s current carbon and methane emissions so you can make informed decisions and shape the future of your farm.

The program was piloted with a dozen Wisconsin farmers, including Kewaunee, Wis., dairy producer JJ Pagel. In his experience, Pagel found that his dairy – which uses a manure digester and implements no-till practices and cover crops – produces 3,533 fewer tons of carbon emissions. “That’s equivalent to removing 686 passenger cars from the road,” said Pagel. The farm also sequestered 963 tons of carbon or approximately 48 large dump trucks.

Producers who sign up submit data and work with independent third-party Eocene Environmental Group (formerly Sustainable Environment Consultants). All producer data is kept confidential. Once it is submitted, producers can expect their score within 45 business days, along with a report itemizing the impact of each farming practice.

The first two sponsors to join with PDP are Nestlé, one of the world’s leading users of milk for its consumer food products, and Dairy’s Foundation, which supports education efforts to help dairy producers be proactive and prepared for the future. Learn more and sign up today at www. pdpw.org/your-farm-your-footprint/.

Opportunities to learn

Accelerate™

July, 24, 2024

Madison, Wis.

CALLING ALL INTERNS AND EMPLOYERS! Mark your calendars now for PDP Accelerate on July 24. This dynamic one-day event is designed to provide agriculture interns with the tools they need to excel in today’s workforce. Facilitator Michael Hoffman will combine hands-on learning, peer networking and interactive skill practice to ensure interns have the tools to stand out from the crowd after graduation.

PDP Accelerate will not only enhance their summer internship experience but also provide students with renewed vigor during the final portion of the internship. Learn more about PDP Accelerate and register interns here or call 800-947-7379.

MAKE PLANS NOW TO ATTEND 2025 PDP BUSINESS CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW. Take note of the location change and plan to join us March 12-13, 2025, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis.

As has been the case for over thirty years, the annual two-day program – dairy’s premier educational event – is designed to infuse producers and industry professionals with business-changing strategies and inspiration to propel them to long-term, sustainable success.

“I had heard great things about the conference before I arrived – and wow, it surpassed all of my expectations,” said first-time participant and 2024 conference presenter Bill Reyes. From Canyon, Texas, Reyes is the owner, consultant and nutritionist at Royal Ag Services, LLC. “I could tell that farmers and dairy families are involved in the planning of the conference because of the topics selected; pretty much all the important topics for today’s dairy industry were discussed. Seeing so many people on fire for the industry is exactly what I needed – I came back really fired up.”

Exhibitors: secure your booth space today.

For more details on exhibit logistics and availability, click here.

For your dairy

BIOSECURITY PLANS TOP PRIORITY AMID EMERGING THREAT of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). As cases of HPAI have been reported in dairy cows in the United States, dairy farmers and the industry should prioritize biosecurity at their operations and educate themselves on strategies for prevention, detection and management. Several industry, government and extension groups have issued recommendations on biosecurity and HPAI, including:

Learn more about management practices and signs to watch for in cows and people in articles from Michigan State Extension and UW Extension.

MONITOR AND ELIMINATE STRESSORS TO PREVENT COWS FROM BUNCHING TOGETHER. A natural behavior of cows when stressed or in a predator situation is to bunch up in a small group. Even in well-managed barns, this behavior can happen and impact production health and welfare. Factors such as flies, air flow, weeds and crops growing outside a barn, and access to water as temperatures rise can trigger bunching. An article from Ohio State Extension provides more details and recommendations for monitoring barns and addressing potential issues. Read more here.

IMPROVING WHOLE-FARM FEED EFFICIENCY MAXIMIZES HERD PROFITABILITY. An article from the University of Minnesota Extension highlights research that Minnesota dairy herds in the top 10% for profitability in 2022 spent 60% as much on feed per cwt of milk than herds in the lowest 10%. There are a number of areas where feed energy can be lost to areas other than milk production, including fecal and urine, methane and carbon dioxide, and heat energy losses. Managing feed efficiency requires a multi-faceted approach, including proper ration formulation, bunk management and feed processing, and reduction in animal stress. Learn more in the full article.

Morning Ag Clips

FEATURED BY MORNING AG CLIPS: Sand bedding is synonymous with dairy cow comfort; that’s why it’s often called the gold standard. Sand is a forgiving, comfortable deep bed for cows, and it’s inorganic, preventing bacterial growth in freestalls. But not just any sand will do. There may be subtle or substantial differences in sand depending on the source. Click here to read more.

For your business mind

CREATING CAREER PATHS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP in retaining employees and differentiating yourself from other employers. By working with individual employees to find out their skills, interests and career objectives, you can align them with the current and future needs of the farm or business. Employees can also seek training opportunities to build the skills they need to prepare for future roles. Learn more in the full article from UW Extension.

SPRING CLEANING FOR YOUR DIGITAL LIFE can help ensure your data and online presence is secure and organized.

A few items to add to your to-do list:

Clean up old projects and archives
Remove duplicate and unneeded files
Change passwords regularly and set up multi-factor authentication
Store passwords securely in a password manager
Back up data regularly with multiple copies of backups
Keep software up to date
Dispose of old electronics responsibly

Learn more about each of these steps in the full article.

WHAT MAKES WORKING AT YOUR FARM UNIQUE? While the hourly rate is the first question that potential employees ask, taking time to build an answer that includes not only hourly rate but also benefits and perks that make up the full “invisible paycheck” for your farm. These benefits can include vacation and sick days, housing (including utilities, wifi, etc), insurance, food and beverages, transportation, opportunities for advancement, training, bonuses and more. Building and communicating the full package can help when recruiting and retaining employees as they compare opportunities at other farms. Learn more in the article from Cornell University.

The Dairy Signal

CONNECT WITH EXPERTS, LEARN FROM PEERS. Three days a week, The Dairy Signal® connects you with leading experts across dairy and agricultural industries to researchers at universities and government agencies to bring updates on the trends and topics that will affect your dairy business. The 60-minute sessions air every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with recorded episodes available at www.pdpw.org. Click here to tune in to archived sessions.

Presenters and topics covered recently include:

April 2

Join an interactive conversation about HPAI, including how it is transmitted, what signs to look for in a herd, protocols for preventing and managing it, and the potential impact on a dairy’s bottom line.

Dr. Keith Poulsen, PhD, Director, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL), University of Wisconsin

April 3

Tune in to hear the benefits of raising dairy heifers in a managed grazing system can reduce cost and increase animal performance, as well as improving water quality and soil health.

Jason Cavadini, grazing specialist and certified professional agronomist, UW-Madison Extension

April 4

Learn about carbon offsets and insets, including what they are and what they mean for dairy producers and industries looking to reduce carbon footprint. This content was originally presented at PDP’s Carbon Conference and will include updates and additional insights.

Patrick Wood, Founder and General Manager, Ag Methane Advisors, LLC

April 9

Tune in for a timely discussion about the five elements to keep in mind when managing and optimizing your cow’s dry matter intake.

Kathryn Elliott, M.S., dairy consultant and technical support specialist, ProAGtive Dairy Nutrition
Dr. Scott Earnest, director of technical services, ProAGtive Dairy Nutrition

April 10

The results are in! Learn about the test results for the 2023 corn silage crop and dial in on key local and national findings so you can optimally feed your cows for the next 12 months.

Dr. Andrew Bohnhoff, Director of Forage and Nutrition at Prairie Estates Genetics

April 11

With the 2024 growing season just around the corner, join in for the latest news and analysis of agricultural markets and trends that will impact dairy producers and the ag industry.

Ben Buckner, Chief Grains and Dairy Analyst at AgResource

Dairy currents

DAIRY SALES UP AT SUPERMARKETS in the first few months of 2024 with a focus on healthy eating, high protein, regenerative ag and cottage cheese, according to a Supermarket News article. One significant factor is consumers’ focus on healthier eating habits. A recent Circana study indicated that 39% of consumers are prioritizing healthier food choices in 2024. Grocers noted that cottage cheese is the most significant trend over the last few months, with sales up by double digits over the same time last year due to consumer focus on high protein content. Learn more here.

SLOW MOVING VEHICLE SIGNS AVAILABLE FREE FOR WISCONSIN FARMERS. A partnership involving Marshfield Clinic Research Institute’s National Farm Medicine Center, Rural Mutual Insurance Co., H&S Manufacturing, and Nasonville Dairy is offering free Slow Moving Vehicle signs to improve agricultural safety on public roadways. Signs are available at several businesses including machinery repair shops, fire departments, lenders and feed cooperatives. They will also be promoted on social media in May and available at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, August 13-15, in Cadott, Wis. Read more to find the list of locations and more details.

DAIRY FOODS CAN HELP MANAGE DISEASE and maintain quality of life as adults age, according to an article in Dairy Foods magazine. As the focus increases on the connection between diet and disease treatment, management and prevention, there are significant opportunities for dairy foods. Emerging research is showing the positive impacts of dairy on chronic diseases, bone and muscle conditions and cognition. Read more in the full article.

Book Review

TAKING POINT: A NAVY SEAL’S 10 FAIL SAFE PRINCIPLES FOR LEADING THROUGH CHANGE. Navy Seal combat veteran Brent Gleeson shared how dairy farmers can apply crucial culture-building and leadership principles of the Navy Seals at the 2024 PDP Business Conference. Take a deep dive into those principles in his book, which gives a 10 step plan with actionable insights and framework for successful execution. Learn more here.

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