Dairy Stream

Farmers in the Turkey Hill Clean Water Partnership are getting a premium on their milk check for implementing sustainability practices. Dairy Steam host Mike Austin talks to Lindsay Reames, director of sustainability and external relations for the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, and Jenna Mitchell, Pennsylvania state director for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, about the innovative group, which ...

An exciting research project recently launched through the Dairy Innovation Hub analyzes the costs and benefits of manure management regulations for dairy farm economic viability and soil and water sustainability. The goal of this project is to analyze how and under what circumstances manure regulations improves water quality. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks to experts Dr. Jeremy Foltz, professor in the department of agricultur...

One of the 2020 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award winners is proof that organizations from different sectors can work together to improve complex sustainability challenges. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Ryan Flaherty, director of business partnerships at Sustainable Conservation, Richie Mayo, farm manager at De Jager Farms and Domonic Rossini, agronomic relationship manager at Netafim USA. They discuss the dip irrigation p...

Threemile Canyon Farms in Boardman, Oregon, one of the winners of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award, approaches sustainability in a variety of ways, from a closed-loop system, a methane digester that produces renewable natural gas, feeding produce byproducts and more. They also had a lot of success with their internship program. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with general manager, Marty Myers, about how it all works together...

Based on recommendations from a water quality task force, the Wisconsin state Assembly in February 2020 passed a $10 million package of bills aimed at curbing water contamination, increasing well testing and bolstering conservation efforts. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Reps. Todd Novak and Katrina Shankland, who led the task force, about what has been accomplished so far, what steps might be needed and the stalled legis...

COVID-19 has impacted the dairy customer of the future and normalized online grocery shopping. Dairy continues to be in the cart. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, about their marketing strategy towards customers, restaurants and grocery stores, advice for the dairy community to engage with the customer of the future and how to get involved. Thanks to Dairy Farmers of Wisconsi...

Confused by Producer Price Differentials (PPDs)? Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talked with Mark Stephenson, who is the director of dairy policy analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, about the Federal Milk Marketing Order, Producer Price Differentials (PPDs) and what they are and how they are calculated, what causes a negative PPD, the fluctuations in milk prices and the future outlook for milk checks. Stephenson also co-...

Farmer-led conservation groups have been growing in popularity as a way for farmers to expand conservation practices and document their progress in water quality and soil health. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Rachel Rushmann, Producer-led Program manager at Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; Steve Richter, director of agriculture strategies at The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin; and Laur...

Fewer lawmakers today have a farming background even though agriculture remains an all-important part of our communities and country. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Wisconsin state Senator Howard Marklein and state Representative Dave Considine about their experiences on the farm and now at the Capitol. They encourage farmers to make their voices heard and they offer advice for farmers interested in running for office. Th...

Like other owners of essential businesses, dairy farmers are taking extra precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure their employees are healthy and safe. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Wisconsin dairy farmer Amy Penterman and dairy consultant Elsie Gonzalez about on-farm communication, safety and resources to help navigate this unusual situation. This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and E...

As executive director of the Wisconsin Farm Service Agency, Sandy Chalmers is in the thick of helping farmers apply for direct payments through the federal Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Chalmers talks with Dairy Stream host Mike Austin about dairy farm eligibility requirements, how livestock and crops figure into the formulas, and the role of local FSA offices. The podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Associat...

Global markets have played an increasingly important role in the price our dairy farmers are paid for their milk. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Tom Vilsack, president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, about the work of his organization, the importance of trade relationships and how dairy exports have fared during the global health crisis. Thank you to STgenetics for sponsoring this podcast. The podcast is co-prod...

The Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin, one of the nation’s premiere dairy research centers, plays an integral role in keeping the dairy economy healthy and dairy customers happy. This work hasn’t stopped during COVID-19. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with the center’s director,  John Lucey, about the latest innovations and the future. Thanks to Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin for sponsoring this podcast. The...

COVID-19 is wreaking havoc on farmers and the food supply chain that keep our country fed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been working to make sure no farmers are left behind in this crisis and families are able to put food on their tables. Host Mike Austin talks with Greg Ibach, USDA’s Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, who describes the steps the agency has taken so far and what farmers can expect goin...

Studies show that environmentally friendly products are important to American consumers when they shop, and one in three consumers say they will pay more for products that promote conservation. Rosy-Lane Holsteins in Watertown, Wis., one of the latest winners of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award, approaches sustainability in a wide variety of ways, from genetics and employee training to energy efficiency and innovative field work...

Dairy farmers are reeling from the devastating effects of the pandemic. Federal help is on the way but it’s complicated. Host Mike Austin talks with Aaron Stauffacher, associate director of government affairs for Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, who tries to simplify the USDA’s assistance programs, and Executive Director Tim Trotter explains Edge’s role. Thank you to Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative for sponsoring this podcast. Email us...

The collapse of the food service market due to the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging the dairy community like never before. Suddenly without new buyers, farmers and processors have more milk than can immediately be used. Dairy Stream host Mike Austin talks with Tom Gallagher, CEO of Dairy Management Inc., about the national group’s efforts to support processors, get dairy products to people who need food during the crisis, and to pr...