Progressive Dairy

Seven pillars of successful calf raising

A successful calf-raising program depends on attention to every detail, starting even before birth. Set calves up for success by following seven foundational pillars of calf care.

February 2, 2026

Tiago Tomazi

Just as solid structural pillars form a strong foundation for the barn, these seven pillars of calf raising are powerful steps to help build a solid foundation for the future milking herd.

December DMC margin triggers first, only payment in 2025

Falling milk prices influenced December 2025’s Dairy Margin Coverage margin, which led to the program issuing its first and only indemnity payment of the year.

January 30, 2026

Jenn Coyne

Both feed costs and the milk price fell month over month for a DMC margin of $9.42 per hundredweight (cwt), triggering the first and only payment in 2025.

Feeding 150 tons a day with the Solomix stationary feed mixer

January 30, 2026

“Trioliet allowed us to look at their technology and see where that might fit for our feed manufacturing needs.”

Engaging in Excellence: Grounded in the possibilities

January 30, 2026

From helping one dairy farmer kickstart a wholesale ice cream business and helping legislators connect with a progressive dairy farm to refreshing the conversation about risk management and helping two farms find a workforce through our apprenticeship program, the Center for Dairy Excellence is grounded in real stories, real possibilities and real results.

USDA issues 90-day pause on biodigester applications

The outlook on biogas production remains bright despite a small percentage of projects affected by the pause.

January 29, 2026

Jenn Coyne

Anaerobic digesters have reshaped the dairy industry, providing a sustainable solution for manure handling and an alternative energy source for U.S. households. For the relatively small portion of those projects that receive funding through the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), that momentum now faces a temporary pause.

Dairy producers: Sharpen skills, build blueprint for the future at 2026 PDP Business Conference

Managing and thriving in times of volatility will be the focus of dairy’s premier educational event.

January 29, 2026

Two days of educational sessions, hands-on learning and previews of dairy research and innovative technologies are all in store for dairy producers attending the 2026 Business Conference presented by the Professional Dairy Producers (PDP).

Safe milk: Drug residue incidence stays near historic low despite small increase

January 29, 2026

Audrey Schmitz

Just 307 out of slightly more than 3.5 million milk samples tested positive for animal drug residues in the FDA’s annual analysis. Those samples testing positive were rejected for human consumption. That works out to be only 1 out of every 11,659 samples.

Ready or not – here they come: Preparing the next generation to lead dairy farms

Critical skillsets for the next generation to learn before they lead the team include getting comfortable getting uncomfortable, building the skills and abilities of others, modeling behaviors, showing appreciation and committing to continuous improvement.

January 29, 2026

Tim Schaefer

Every generation will either lose a farm legacy or strengthen it. There often isn’t a middle ground. When we think of dairy legacies, we think of cattle and barns, but really, we admire dairy families. Every family will have a next generation, and we owe it to them to put them on the best possible footing. It's their future but your legacy.

Dairy risk management calendar: February 2026

Progressive Dairy provides monthly updates to important dates, reports and advice affecting risk management decisions.

January 28, 2026

Jenn Coyne

The influx of milk has pushed prices downward, and despite alternative revenue sources helping ease the pain on farms’ bottom lines, pressure is mounting on margins.

[Podcast] Nick Vande Weerd: Pleasant Dutch Dairy

January 27, 2026

Nick Vande Weerd runs Pleasant Dutch Dairy in South Dakota and serves as vice chair for AgriBank. Progressive Dairy Editor Walt Cooley caught up with him after he spoke at the 2025 Precision Dairy Conference, and he had one message that stopped Cooley: You can't expand your way out of a cost problem.