Progressive Dairy Podcast

Progressive Dairy editors

The Progressive Dairy podcast is for U.S. dairy producers and their industry partners. Each helpful, informative episode serves as an on-the-go companion to the reliable, trustworthy information you find when reading Progressive Dairy magazine. New episodes are released every other week on Tuesdays.

  1. How a Dairy Producer Uses Herd Data to Make Daily Decisions (Sponsored Podcast)

    MAY 7

    How a Dairy Producer Uses Herd Data to Make Daily Decisions (Sponsored Podcast)

    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 proven herd management system built on standardized data—Matt discusses how herd management tools support daily workflows, connect data across technologies, and adapt as his operation has grown. This episode is sponsored by DRMS. DRMS is a trusted provider of dairy information and decision tools. As a non-profit with deep ties to NC State and Iowa State universities, we’ve spent over 65 years serving the dairy industry—delivering research-backed software, standardized data, and exceptional customer support. Our dedicated team works alongside producers and consultants to ensure they get the training, tools, and insights they need. We turn complex herd data into clear, actionable insights that help producers and consultants make informed decisions, every day—through solutions built in collaboration with the dairy industry.

    34 min

  2. MAY 5

    Introducing the 2026 Nexus Innovation Award winners

    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 normal, and a semiautomated milking technology that handles everything from pre-dip to post-dip. Congratulations to the 2026 Nexus Innovation Award winners! Related articles: AHV for StopLac Merck Animal Health for SenseHub Dairy Youngstock GEA Farm Technologies for DairyProX StopLac by AHV (1:45 to 14:22) 2:55 How does the product work? 5:30 How was this product developed? 7:00 When do you administer this product? 8:00 How are early adopters using this product? 9:30 What are the long-term effects of this product? 11:05 Any side effects from this product? 12:00 What feedback have you heard from early adopters? SenseHub Dairy Youngstock by Merck Animal Health (14:25 to 30:00) 15:00 When do you administer this product and how does it work? 15:45 Is the algorithm customizable? 17:00 What insights are you seeing from early adopters?  21:00 What sets this product apart from other monitoring?  23:15 What's the life expectancy of the tag and any warranties? 25:00 What value is created for producers in whole-life monitoring?  27:30 What have you learned about how to successfully transition to an activity monitoring system?  DairyProX by GEA Farm Technologies (31:00 to 44:10) 31:10 What is this product and what does it do?  31:55 How does the product work? 34:10 Does this product limit pre- or post-dips a dairy can use?  36:15 What's the consistency a dairy can expect from using this product?  37:30 What's the return on investment for most dairies?  38:45 Does this product only work with GEA equipment?  41:30 Does this product use more water than conventional milking prep?  42:40 What feedback have you heard from early adopters?

    45 min
  3. Silage: What we do matters (Sponsored Podcast)

    MAY 1

    Silage: What we do matters (Sponsored Podcast)

    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.

    12 min

  4. APR 21

    Digesters, genetics and why they started up the dairy again with George Dick from Dicklands Farm and Dicklands Biogas

    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 inspired the family to start dairying again in 1988[~1:35] Evolution of facilities from 1988 until now[~2:00] How robots have changed their farm[~4:50] How data from the robots and other technology is utilized in management decisions[~7:00] What they would change if they built new facilities today[~8:40] Genetics strategy[~12:05] Other genetic traits they are prioritizing[~13:50] When and why they added the digester[~16:10] The process of building a digester[~18:55] Where they get the food waste for the digester[~21:15] Receiving frozen products[~23:00] The most rewarding part of owning a digester[~24:35] Digester tours[~26:50] Tour FAQs[~28:30] Questions dairy producers should be asking when considering adding a digester to their operation[~31:15] Running a digester as a separate business with different employees[~32:00] Fertilizer pellet as a byproduct of the digester[~35:30] Rapid-fire questions

    42 min
  5. Recent Research from Simplot Animal Sciences and Texas Tech University Helps to Maximize Beef-on-Dairy Calf Value (Sponsored Podcast)

    APR 9

    Recent Research from Simplot Animal Sciences and Texas Tech University Helps to Maximize Beef-on-Dairy Calf Value (Sponsored Podcast)

    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 for dairies. They’ll examine how data-driven strategies can improve calf performance outcomes and help producers improve calf quality, capture more value and make more confident breeding decisions while managing risk and return in an evolving production and supply environment. Learn more about SimVitro® cattle embryos by Simplot

    18 min

  6. APR 7

    Feeding colostrum with Michael Steele

    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 questions2:50 – Steele’s background4:20 – Passive immunity8:00 – Feeding colostrum past day 111:05 – Feeding transition milk13:00 – Overfeeding colostrum17:00  – Colostrum collection and storage19:30 – Steele’s thoughts on the future of colostrum

    25 min
  7. Protecting your dairy amid rising insurance costs (Sponsored Podcast)

    APR 2

    Protecting your dairy amid rising insurance costs (Sponsored Podcast)

    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 practical, actionable advice to help you manage risks and streamline your coverage to protect your legacy, including how to find a Farm Certified agent who truly understands your needs. To find a local Farm Certified agent, visit FarmAgentFinder.com. Episode breakdown: 00:40 - Navigating rising insurance costs in the dairy industry01:20 - Meet Dan Rice, Senior Dairy Consultant at Nationwide03:02 - Why dairy premiums are climbing06:19 - The hidden dangers of underinsuring your farm09:05 - Actionable steps to take control of your insurance12:33 - Building a strong contingency plan for your dairy15:08 - Protecting your operation with liability contracts17:50 - Finding an agent that specializes in farm insurance Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s. Founded by farmers in 1926, Nationwide is committed to helping farmers and ranchers prepare their businesses for what's ahead with tailored coverage, smart risk management solutions, innovative resources, industry partnerships and support for the rural communities where they live and work. For more information about Nationwide and Nationwide’s ratings, visit www.nationwide.com or Company Ratings -- Nationwide.

    18 min

  8. MAR 24

    Optimizing energy and productivity during busy seasons with Leslie Bonci

    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 improve sleep quality, enhance stress management and improve overall nutrition, along with some insights into working with professional athletes. Connect with Bonci: http://activeeatingadvice.com/ BonciLJ1@gmail.com Episode breakdown: [~1:15] About Bonci and why she is passionate about helping others with nutrition[~2:40] Where to start with nutrition[~4:20] What a healthy plate looks like[~7:05] Tips to incorporate more produce[~8:50] How to develop a more balanced mindset with nutrition[~10:35] F&F concept: fiber and fluid[~14:00] Grab-and-go meal planning and preparation for busy days[~20:00] How nutrition impacts stress and resilience[~22:50] How stress changes eating patterns and how to combat this[~26:45] Tips to improve sleep[~30:55] Which aspects of nutrition that Bonci recommends people track and monitor[~34:15] Tools and trackers that can help with nutrition and wellness[~36:45] Incorporating movement and exercise into busy days[~42:00] Rapid-fire questions

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.9
out of 5
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About

The Progressive Dairy podcast is for U.S. dairy producers and their industry partners. Each helpful, informative episode serves as an on-the-go companion to the reliable, trustworthy information you find when reading Progressive Dairy magazine. New episodes are released every other week on Tuesdays.

Information

  • Creator
    Progressive Dairy editors
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    312
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Progressive Dairy Podcast
  • Show Website
    Progressive Dairy Podcast

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