Building a new barn is not a quick venture. Years of research, life experience and dreams play into the move to build. For Nathan and Amy Yantzi of Tavistock, Ontario, they hoped to construct a barn that allowed their young family to participate in the dairy farming lifestyle and allowed for some time away from the cows.

Elyas Tesfaye has been sharing his collection of agricultural film online for several years. Progressive Dairy Editor Matti McBride interviewed Tesfaye to learn how this hobby began and what it means to him.

My mom made me this quilt the year we sold our cows. Faces of cows cover it, adorned with pink eartags and the control numbers of cows that had a big influence in my life.

“I don’t know if there’s a secret,” says owner Margreet Dijkstra of Sylvanside Dairy’s award-winning milk quality. “We just have an eye for details.” She also credits excellent cow comfort, no shortcuts and consistency.

Butter busts of cows, dairy princesses or other prominent regional figures often populate state fairs across the country. Spectators “ooo” and “ahh” at artists’ hard work, displayed in a large, cooled glass case. For many, it’s a cool sculpture. To Hailey Whitters, 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards New Female Artist of the Year, it became inspiration.

“Building a better herd gives you more options,” says Dean Meinholz, herdsman at Blue Star Dairy Farms in DeForest and Arlington, Wisconsin. Dean is referring to the decision made eight years ago to genomic test the Holstein herd – creating more flexibility with incoming heifers and additional revenue with beef-on-dairy calves.

Brian Van Doormaal has served the dairy industry for nearly 40 years. Following his retirement in December 2025, Progressive Dairy asked Van Doormaal a few questions about his career and future plans.

When Travis and Gordon Speirs of Shiloh Dairy set out to improve milk quality in their Holstein herd, they were aiming for a somatic cell count (SCC) below 120,000. The dairy currently runs a SCC of 77,000. Their secret sauce? Milk quality isn’t a parlor issue.

Lors du premier tour du repêchage de la Ligue nationale de hockey de 2025, les Predators de Nashville ont utilisé le cinquième choix au total pour sélectionner Brady Martin, originaire de l’Ontario, des Soo Greyhounds. Martin parle avec fierté de son enfance passée sur une ferme laitière, porcine, avicole, bovine et de grandes cultures.