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. 16H AGO

    Ryan Dennis: Dairy dads, disappearing farms and the story he didn't tell

    Columnist Ryan Dennis has been writing for Progressive Dairy for many years. In addition, he’s also a published author. His most recent book is titled Barn Gothic: Three Generations and the Death of the Family Dairy Farm. It's a memoir about his own family dairy farm. At the center of the story is his dad, who taught him everything about handling cattle, farming and running a dairy. Most dairy dads are heroes. And Ryan’s book is a tribute to his own dairy hero and the many others just like him.  Walt and Ryan talk about father-son working relationships, the pressures of writing a monthly column on deadline, and the one story he deliberately left out of the book to not distract from his father's legacy. We also get into what it feels like to watch the family dairy disappear. Highlights  1:30 – Ryan Dennis - a master of ‘show don’t tell’ writing4:30 – ‘Quiet violence’ – the loss of 1/2 of U.S. dairy farms in two decades 6:00 – ‘The rhythm of farming’ 9:00 – Why did you want to write this book?12:00 – Do you see your dad as hero or victim in this story?15:00 – ‘An ember of toughness’17:30 – Father-son relationships in farming 20:00 – A story that didn’t make it into the book23:15 – What would you redo about your life while dairying?26:10 – Why do people still farm if it’s not often very profitable?  30:25 – What are your fondest memories of writing for Progressive Dairy? 34:00 – What would U.S. dairy farmers find interesting about Irish dairying?

    38 min
  2. Farm Safety Essentials: Safety training and audits with Joe Buschor from Agri-Services Agency (Sponsored Podcast)

    5D AGO

    Farm Safety Essentials: Safety training and audits with Joe Buschor from Agri-Services Agency (Sponsored Podcast)

    On-farm accidents are costly, and farm injuries can happen during everyday tasks. In this episode, host Mike Opperman talks with Joe Buschor about what to expect during a safety audit, common safety hazards and the safety gaps that can happen among employees. Here is the episode breakdown: 2:14: Dairy farm safety audit2:33: Farm walk through3:04: Preparing your farm for a safety visit4:30: Most common safety hazards5:20: Safety audits and OSHA inspections6:20: On-farm employee training7:20: Safety gaps among employees on your farm8:30: Parlor safety10:00: Animal handling12:32: Agri-Services Agency contact information This episode is sponsored by Agri‑Services Agency. Agri-Services Agency (ASA) specializes in providing customized insurance solutions for dairy farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses. Insurance offerings include health, dental, vision, life insurance, workers’ compensation, and property and casualty insurance. ASA is committed to helping you access comprehensive insurance coverage at a price that fits your budget. 24/7 customer service center: 1-877-466-9089 Website: https://agri-servicesagency.com/

    14 min
  3. Whole Milk’s Comeback: What Checkoff-Led Science Reveals (Sponsored Podcast)

    FEB 26

    Whole Milk’s Comeback: What Checkoff-Led Science Reveals (Sponsored Podcast)

    DMI’s Dr. Chris Cifelli, Senior Vice President of Nutrition Research at National Dairy Council, speaks with DMI’s Scott Wallin about how the checkoff is expanding the body of science around whole milk, cheese, and yogurt. With more than 80 studies conducted over the last 20 years, the milk fat research shows that these foods not only help support childhood growth but may also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and fit into heart-healthy diets. Cifelli explains how the unique makeup of dairy fat—especially components like oleic acid—plays a vital role in supporting better health. He also underscores the need to translate this science into clear messages for both consumers and health professionals and how the checkoff constantly shares these messages with nutrition professionals. Looking ahead, his research team will continue to explore how dairy contributes to lowering cardiometabolic disease risk and the benefits of dairy’s unique fatty acids. To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com. Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc. Guest: Dr. Chris Cifelli, Senior Vice President of Nutrition Research, Dairy Management Inc. This episode is sponsored by Dairy Management Inc.

    19 min

  4. FEB 24

    Using herd management software with producer Steve Harnish

    In this digital age, how are dairy producers making numbers work for them? Host Matti McBride chats with Pennsylvania dairy farmer Steve Harnish in this Progressive Dairy Podcast episode. Learn about Harnish’s dairy, which software reports he values and how he uses them to manage his herd.  Here is the episode breakdown: 1:00 – Rapid-fire questions3:00 – About the dairy7:15 – System operations9:30 – How Harnish manages workflow14:15 – Daily reports18:00 – Points of improvement20:30 – Seeing results from positive changes25:25 – Making decisions from data

    29 min
  5. Advancing Fresh Cow Monitoring to Improve Transition Cow Outcomes (Sponsored Podcast)

    FEB 19

    Advancing Fresh Cow Monitoring to Improve Transition Cow Outcomes (Sponsored Podcast)

    On this Progressive Dairy Podcast, Jade Lomax leads a conversation on a research-backed approach to evaluating transition cow performance using data from over 3 million lactation records and 25 cow-level variables. The discussion explores how comparing actual versus predicted energy-corrected milk (ECM) at first test can help identify gaps in transition support, dry period management and early health outcomes – supporting more informed herd decisions earlier in lactation. This episode is sponsored by DRMS. DRMS is a trusted provider of dairy information and decision tools. As a nonprofit 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.

    21 min
  6. The Missing Piece in Transition Cow Nutrition (Sponsored Podcast)

    FEB 12

    The Missing Piece in Transition Cow Nutrition (Sponsored Podcast)

    Today we’re talking about one of the most important — and most challenging — windows in the dairy cow’s year: the transition period. Joining us is Dr. Dana Tomlinson, Global Technical Services for Zinpro. Zinpro has been the global leader in Performance Trace Minerals for over five decades and has recently expanded its portfolio to include additional nutritional ingredients that are essential for dairy production. This episode is sponsored by Zinpro. About Zinpro® For more than 54 years, Zinpro has improved the health and wellbeing of both animals and people as a pioneer in the research and development of performance trace minerals and innovative nutritional solutions. As a family-owned, privately held company, our steady growth can be attributed to employing a world-class team of experts, manufacturing quality products and our steadfast commitment to helping our customers advance the health and performance of their animals. With products marketed in more than 70 countries worldwide, Zinpro is the global leader in advancing animal performance through greater nutrition and is dedicated to creating smarter practices for a better, more sustainable world. To learn more visit zinpro.com. About Zinpro® IsoFerm® Fuel the cow by feeding her rumen, first. Zinpro IsoFerm is a breakthrough – the essential nutrient your herd needs. Designed to enhance rumen function by directly feeding the fiber digesting microbes, Zinpro IsoFerm enables dairy cows to be better cows while improving fiber digestion and protein utilization. This proprietary isoacid technology creates game-changing production efficiency, productivity and profitability.

    17 min

  7. FEB 11

    The marathon of genetics with John Cole

    John Cole breaks down indexes and how to effectively use them in your herd on this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast. Cole serves as the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding's chief research and development officer. Learn about the math and data that’s involved in calculating an index, Cole’s recommendations for using indexes and a few new tools from CDCB. Here is the episode breakdown: 1:00 – Rapid-fire questions3:15 – Cole’s background8:20 – Defining an index15:30 – Balancing regional markets within Net Merit19:05 – Utilizing fluid, cheese or grazing merits23:45 – Creating a herd-based index29:25 – Patience with a genetic plan36:10 – First service to conception

    44 min
  8. Building Safer Farms: A Conversation with Ashley Nadeau from Agri‑Services Agency (Sponsored Podcast)

    FEB 5

    Building Safer Farms: A Conversation with Ashley Nadeau from Agri‑Services Agency (Sponsored Podcast)

    In this episode, host Mike Opperman sits down with Ashley Nadeau, senior loss control consultant at Agri‑Services Agency, to chat about the big risk areas on a dairy – from machinery and PTO entanglements to confined spaces, parlor hazards, chemicals and animal handling injuries — and discuss why complacency can be a farm’s biggest threat. This episode is sponsored by Agri‑Services Agency. Agri-Services Agency (ASA) specializes in providing customized insurance solutions for dairy farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses. Insurance offerings include health, dental, vision, life insurance, workers’ compensation, and property and casualty insurance. ASA is committed to helping you access comprehensive insurance coverage at a price that fits your budget. 24/7 customer service center: 1-877-466-9089 Website: https://agri-servicesagency.com/

    13 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
17 Ratings

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
    303
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Progressive Dairy Podcast
  • Show Website
    Progressive Dairy Podcast

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