Progressive Dairy

Start your rotary parlor the right way

Starting a rotary parlor is a major undertaking. With thoughtful preparation, realistic timelines and a focus on people and cows, the transition can be smooth and successful.

September 30, 2025

Andy Lenkaitis

Investing in a rotary parlor is a big commitment – financially and logistically. With a plan that prioritizes people and cows, you can help ensure the rotary keeps turning for years to come with a well-executed startup.

Beef-on-dairy: Best management practices

The current cattle market makes beef-on-dairy calves extremely valuable. Utilizing genetics and high-quality nutrition can give these calves an advantage at the sale barn.

September 30, 2025

Kirk Ramsey

The utilization of beef semen on dairy cattle to create higher value crossbred calves has proven to be an effective strategy for dairy producers. Dairy producers who focus on creating quality beef-on-dairy calves will have the edge as the market dynamics shift.

Weekly Digest: USDA issues second economic assistance payment to farmers

September 29, 2025

Karen Lee

In dairy-related news as we near the end of September 2025: The USDA issues second economic assistance payment to farmers; ADM, Alltech join together in new North American animal feed venture; CoBank looks at the U.S. butterfat boom; Darigold names Amy Humphreys chief executive officer; and Skylar Diggins debuts puffer jacket made with milk.

Cull cow prices hit record $157 per cwt in July

The U.S. average prices received for cull cows in July 2025 averaged $157 per cwt, up $15 per cwt from July 2024, setting a new all-time high for cull cow prices.

September 29, 2025

Audrey Schmitz

The U.S. average prices received for cull cows (beef and dairy, combined) in July 2025 averaged $157 per cwt, up $15 per cwt from July 2024 setting a new all-time high for cull cow prices.

[Podcast] Take control of your dairy’s biggest expense – Char Handschke and Melissa Freitas, VAS

September 29, 2025

Feed is the single-largest expense on any dairy, and how it's managed can make or break both cow performance and your bottom line. In this episode, our Progressive Dairy host Fredric sits down with VAS farm performance consultant team leaders, Melissa Freitas and Char Handschke, to talk about the biggest challenges in feed management and how new technology is helping farms of all sizes optimize their investment.

Meet the World Dairy Expo Executive Committee

September 29, 2025

Frances Pierce

Progressive Dairy reached out to the 10 members of the World Dairy Expo Executive Committee to learn more about who they are and why they serve in such a role. Here is what they had to say.

The ‘right’ alfalfa-to-corn-silage ratio

When deciding how to meet your operation’s needs and goals, seek input to explore available options and determine the most profitable strategy for your total mixed ration.

September 29, 2025

Jarrod Blackburn

As dairy producers evaluate the economic, agronomic and nutritional demands on their farms, they ask, “How can I make best use of my acreage for the greatest return on investment?” That question challenges farm consultants to rethink traditional approaches.

Real Producer Exchange Episode 2: Rob and Adrian Diepersloot

September 27, 2025

Walt Cooley

Brothers and business partners Rob and Adrian Diepersloot were the most recent dairy producer guests on the Real Producer Exchange. Read more about their multiple operations in California and Colorado and their consumer-packaged goods company, WonderCow.

Checkoff Watch: Checkoff-led playbook unifies industry for health, wellness growth

September 26, 2025

Health and wellness is no longer just a trend – it is a $450 billion priority shaping how Americans eat, live and shop. From parents checking labels to fitness enthusiasts looking for performance support, more people are turning to food-first approaches to meet their wellness goals.

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The 5 C’s of motivation: How to inspire your team

Control, certainty, connection, clout and consistency can make the difference between employees who are motivated to succeed and those who are not.

September 26, 2025

Tim Schaefer

I’ve worked with dairies across the country, and one truth keeps surfacing: Motivated teams have healthier cows, solve more problems and stick around longer. Let's look at the 5 C’s of motivation: control, certainty, connection, clout and consistency – with examples straight from the barn.