Progressive Dairy Podcast Progressive Dairy editors

Robots or a rotary parlor? As this question continues to be debated nationwide, Progressive Dairy Podcast host Matti McBride sits down with Torie Little of TDSG and Stephanie Schroeder of Boumatic to identify key points that dairy producers need to understand when investing in an automated milking system. Listen to learn about attributes of successful transitions, questions asked during the process and how certain management styles fit different technologies.


Here is the episode breakdown:


2:00 – What do producers need to understand about purchasing a new automated milking system?3:30 – Common questions asked during the process5:25 – The importance of touring dairies with automated milking systems installed 7:15 – Questions to ask producers who have installed the product you’re looking at13:05 – “Who am I marrying?” Understanding this purchase will tie producers to a product/dealership for many years18:00 – Comparing products24:50 – Components of a successful transition28:45 – Tips for a successful startup33:20 – Rapid-fire questions

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Dr. Mark Kinsel joins host Kimmi Devaney for a discussion about biosecurity. With recent reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy herds across multiple states, this is a timely topic that is on the minds of many dairy producers right now. As a veterinarian, Kinsel shares how to put together a biosecurity plan, how to manage animals on multiple sites to protect herd health, considerations for fairs and shows, and other key insights producers should know.


Reach Dr. Kinsel at mkinsel@agrimetrica.com






Here's a breakdown of the episode:


[~1:05] About Kinsel’s background[~4:10] What is biosecurity, and why does it matter?[~6:40] What are the most important biosecurity practices that producers should implement ASAP?[~8:10] Components of a biosecurity plan[~8:35] People on the farm: farm owners/employees and other visitors[~11:45] Where to draw the line of separation[~14:35] Vehicles on the farm[~16:20] Tips for service professionals on farms[~17:40] Cattle movement on the farm[~21:40] Communicating changes with your team/veterinarian[~22:13] Mortality management[~23:40] Proper feed and water storage[~24:40] Bird management[~25:50] Biosecurity when taking animals to shows and fairs[~28:45] Tips for biosecurity when managing animals on multiple sites[~31:20] What information should producers be sharing with their veterinarians?[~34:25] Having a list of key contacts that you may need during an outbreak or other problem[~35:40] Helpful resources – Secure Milk Supply, working with veterinarian, FARM Program, dairy extension, state departments of agriculture, etc.[~39:45] Rapid-fire questions





For more information about managing pest birds on the farm, check out this recent article from Amber Adams-Progar.

In this episode, host Kimmi Devaney is joined by Kevin Korbel and Jamieson Lindquist, who together own an ice cream business called Udder Buddies in Minnesota. Learn about how and why they started this business and how they use it to promote agriculture and help other dairy farmers.


Connect with them on social media (@udderbuddies) and via email (udderbuddies@gmail.com).


Here is the episode breakdown:


[~0:50] About Udder Buddies and what inspired Korbel and Lindquist to start this venture[~3:55] Making ice cream at the University of Minnesota’s pilot plant[~11:40] Distribution[~14:15] Overall marketing efforts[~16:40] Events[~20:05] How they use Udder Buddies to promote agriculture and help others[~23:10] About their agriculture backgrounds[~25:05] Target audience[~31:30] The most important lessons they learned [~35:35] The most enjoyable part of this business for Korbel and Lindquist[~38:55] Helpful resources[~40:10] Future growth and goals[~43:45] How to connect with Udder Buddies online[~44:50] Logo development and how they came up with the name “Udder Buddies”[~48:30] What they would change if they could start over today [~50:30] Rapid-fire questions

At Virtus Nutrition our mission is to help you feed a better balance of fatty acids to improve reproduction, health, and profitability. In the early 2000’s, we invented the process to deliver EPA/DHA in a form that dairy cows can utilize. Since then, we’ve developed several products, including Strata and EnerG-3, that give customers flexibility in how to deliver these essential fatty acids to their cows. Lost pregnancies are costly at every stage of pregnancy, and EPA/DHA is the pregnancy nutrient that resolves inflammation, supports healthy embryo development, and improves retention of pregnancy.


This episode is sponsored by Virtus Nutrition.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Kimmi Devaney visits with West Virginia dairy producer Joe Shockey about opportunities to revitalize the dairy industry in Appalachia. West Virginia was one of the visible bright spots during our 2024 State of Dairy interviews with producers and industry leaders. Hear from Shockey about new dairy processing and other efforts to rebuild the state’s dairy industry.


Here’s a breakdown of the episode:


[~1:00] About Shockey and his dairy farm in West Virginia[~2:05] The dairy landscape in West Virginia[~5:40] The impact of new processing capacity that came online in 2023[~10:00] New resources that are assisting in rebuilding West Virginia’s dairy industry[~13:40] Opportunities for dairies to relocate to West Virginia[~15:30] Other opportunities for rebuilding West Virginia’s dairy infrastructure[~17:05] West Virginia’s dairy regulations [~18:05] Other points of optimism for West Virginia dairy producers[~20:40] Rapid-fire questions

Interest in beef-on-dairy remains at an all-time high. In fact, it’s estimated that the industry will produce 3.22 million beef-on-dairy calves in 2024. Incorporating full beef embryos into a dairy’s reproductive program is one way producers are taking advantage of this growing trend. HerdFlex beef embryos from Simplot Animal Sciences are available through Select Sires, offering a team approach to help producers achieve their goals.


This episode is sponsored by Simplot Animal Sciences.


Simplot's Animal Sciences team uses an innovative approach to provide advanced reproductive solutions for beef and dairy cattle producers to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability in a changing market. Combining extensive experience in agribusiness with the latest in reproductive solutions, the Animal Sciences team developed the innovative SimVitro branded platform for improving genetics and reproductive efficiency in dairy and beef cattle. For more information on beef embryos visit simvitro.com/herdflex