agproud.com is the digital home of Progressive Dairy, Progressive Cattle, Progressive Forage and Ag Proud Idaho magazines. We offer content for dairy farmers, cattle ranchers and hay and forage growers in the U.S. and Canada. Subscribe to podcasts, newsletters or magazines offered on dairy, beef, and forage at agproud.com https://www.agproud.com/rss/articles As National Dairy Month and all the festivities get underway, I encourage you to think about new ways you can connect with people outside of agriculture to showcase all that is great about the dairy industry. Cheers to a fun month celebrating cows, amazing people and delicious dairy products! As National Dairy Month and all the festivities get underway, I encourage you to think about new ways you can connect with people outside of agriculture to showcase all that is great about the dairy industry. Cheers to a fun month celebrating cows, amazing people and delicious dairy products!

]]> Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/63437-consider-new-ways-to-tell-your-dairy-story http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/63437 Not long ago, I was reading an obituary of a dear family friend and mentor, Martin. He was successful by every definition of the word – from the dynamics of his family and the legacy he left behind, to the structure of his business and contributions to the dairy industry. Not long ago, I was reading an obituary of a dear family friend and mentor, Martin. He was successful by every definition of the word – from the dynamics of his family and the legacy he left behind, to the structure of his business and contributions to the dairy industry.

]]> Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/63236-and-im-a-farmer http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/63236 Like the bread, the end goal is the same: to raise a healthy calf. And just like with bread and its thousands of flavor combinations, every farm will use slightly different ingredients and have slightly different methods to achieve that goal. Like the bread, the end goal is the same: to raise a healthy calf. And just like with bread and its thousands of flavor combinations, every farm will use slightly different ingredients and have slightly different methods to achieve that goal.

]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/63119-bread-and-calves-different-ingredients-same-goal http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/63119 Taking the next step often involves an investment – in time, energy and sometimes money. While many dairy producers interviewed for this year’s State of Dairy coverage are concerned about financial margins and their bottom line, they also have an eye on the future and are investing in their operations in ways that make it an attractive option for the next generation. Taking the next step often involves an investment – in time, energy and sometimes money. While many dairy producers interviewed for this year’s State of Dairy coverage are concerned about financial margins and their bottom line, they also have an eye on the future and are investing in their operations in ways that make it an attractive option for the next generation.

]]> Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/62993-investing-in-the-future http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/62993 So there I was, sitting at a table suspended 100 feet in the air over Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, with several dairy producers and industry representatives having dinner. We had just completed three days of management training at PDP’s Managers Academy. As we took a mental break, we enjoyed the company of those who we had met just 60 hours before. So there I was, sitting at a table suspended 100 feet in the air over Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, with several dairy producers and industry representatives having dinner. We had just completed three days of management training at PDP’s Managers Academy. As we took a mental break, we enjoyed the company of those who we had met just 60 hours before.

]]> Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/62899-facing-fears-and-the-future-together http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/62899 Sustainability and leadership are not separate challenges but are deeply connected. Across these stories, the message is consistent that the future of dairy will be shaped by those willing to learn, invest in people and make decisions with the next generation in mind. Sustainability and leadership are not separate challenges but are deeply connected. Across these stories, the message is consistent that the future of dairy will be shaped by those willing to learn, invest in people and make decisions with the next generation in mind.

]]> Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/62776-passing-dairy-farms-forward http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/62776 “How do you eat an elephant?” When I first heard that metaphor as a child, I had no idea what would come next. Of course, the next line, “One bite at a time,” didn’t exactly clear things up in my mind. “How do you eat an elephant?” When I first heard that metaphor as a child, I had no idea what would come next. Of course, the next line, “One bite at a time,” didn’t exactly clear things up in my mind.

]]> Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/62694-how-to-eat-an-elephant-break-big-tasks-into-bite-sized-pieces http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/62694 The best part of my job is always hearing directly from you – both what’s working and what’s not. My wish is a lot more works for you and your farm this year than it has over the past several years. I have a good feeling it’s going to. The best part of my job is always hearing directly from you – both what’s working and what’s not. My wish is a lot more works for you and your farm this year than it has over the past several years. I have a good feeling it’s going to.

]]> Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/62604-2026-feels-different http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/62604 On my first day working for Progressive Dairy nearly four years ago, our office manager handed me a keyring with a key to the building and a charm engraved with the word “DREAM.” That charm is still on my keyring and takes on even more meaning every single day: While I’m living my dream, I get to tell stories about others who are also living theirs. On my first day working for Progressive Dairy nearly four years ago, our office manager handed me a keyring with a key to the building and a charm engraved with the word “DREAM.” That charm is still on my keyring and takes on even more meaning every single day: While I’m living my dream, I get to tell stories about others who are also living theirs.

]]> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/62521-keep-dreaming-big http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/62521 It isn’t the tree or the presents under it that define the holiday. It’s the people who gather around, the shared stories and the traditions passed year to year from generation to generation. And it’s that sense of family and of gratitude that truly fills the heart. It isn’t the tree or the presents under it that define the holiday. It’s the people who gather around, the shared stories and the traditions passed year to year from generation to generation. And it’s that sense of family and of gratitude that truly fills the heart.

]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/62348-its-not-the-tree-its-the-people http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/62348 While I would still say, “Don’t believe everything you see on the internet,” know that there is at least one place you can turn to, and that’s Ask AgProud. While I would still say, “Don’t believe everything you see on the internet,” know that there is at least one place you can turn to, and that’s Ask AgProud.

]]> Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/62336-where-do-you-get-your-information http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/62336 It’s a new season in the Coyne household – new teachers, new bus route, new friends and a soon-to-be new sibling. As we weather all the changes this fall is bringing us, I’m brought back to the summer months of slower mornings and carefree afternoons, and also of lessons in responsibility and accountability. It’s a new season in the Coyne household – new teachers, new bus route, new friends and a soon-to-be new sibling. As we weather all the changes this fall is bringing us, I’m brought back to the summer months of slower mornings and carefree afternoons, and also of lessons in responsibility and accountability.

]]> Sun, 19 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/61924-teach-em-young http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/61924 Recently, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit the beautiful city of San Francisco, California, and do some sightseeing. The Golden Gate Bridge was, of course, on the agenda. After seeing the bridge in person, I developed a newfound appreciation for the skill and specifically the teamwork it took to make one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Recently, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit the beautiful city of San Francisco, California, and do some sightseeing. The Golden Gate Bridge was, of course, on the agenda. After seeing the bridge in person, I developed a newfound appreciation for the skill and specifically the teamwork it took to make one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

]]> Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/62171-stronger-together-the-incredible-power-of-teamwork http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/62171 The spirit of silage season remains, and I see it every year in the way dairy farm families and neighbors come together – just like we did on our farm when I was a kid. Silage chopping has always been more than just a week of hard work, it’s a community effort and the foundation for high-quality feed that keeps our cows fed year-round. The spirit of silage season remains, and I see it every year in the way dairy farm families and neighbors come together – just like we did on our farm when I was a kid. Silage chopping has always been more than just a week of hard work, it’s a community effort and the foundation for high-quality feed that keeps our cows fed year-round.

]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/61940-preserving-memories-and-feed-quality-through-silage-season http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/61940 A sweaty crew of workers resurfaced our parking lot recently. The freshly painted lines on hot blacktop not only look amazing, but the early results indicate the renovation is going to change behavior. A sweaty crew of workers resurfaced our parking lot recently. The freshly painted lines on hot blacktop not only look amazing, but the early results indicate the renovation is going to change behavior.

]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/61793-need-to-change-behavior-paint-some-lines http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/61793 It’s that time of year when the aroma of fresh-cut haylage lingers a little while longer in the air, plumes of dust billow along the side of the dirt roads as tractors and wagons run back and forth from the fields to the farm, and children are parading to the edges of a cornfield to see if it’s “knee-high by the Fourth of July.” It’s that time of year when the aroma of fresh-cut haylage lingers a little while longer in the air, plumes of dust billow along the side of the dirt roads as tractors and wagons run back and forth from the fields to the farm, and children are parading to the edges of a cornfield to see if it’s “knee-high by the Fourth of July.”

]]> Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/61660-celebrating-freedom-isnt-free http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/61660 By the time you are reading this, my family will be less than two weeks away from celebrating my great-aunt’s 100th birthday. At the end of our lives, each of us will leave a legacy for others to remember us by. What do you want your legacy to be? What do you want to be remembered for? By the time you are reading this, my family will be less than two weeks away from celebrating my great-aunt’s 100th birthday. At the end of our lives, each of us will leave a legacy for others to remember us by. What do you want your legacy to be? What do you want to be remembered for?

]]> Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/61599-100-years-and-counting http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/61599 I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve thought having four legs might be an advantage over two. My husband and I are expecting our first child in August, and I can’t help but feel a little jealous of the dairy cows I know and love. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve thought having four legs might be an advantage over two. My husband and I are expecting our first child in August, and I can’t help but feel a little jealous of the dairy cows I know and love. 

]]> Sun, 25 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/61427-pregnant-cows-and-me http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/61427 For me, acts of service have always been one of the main ways I show my friends and family I care. It makes me happy to make their lives easier. However, I often struggle to receive it from others. I don’t like feeling vulnerable. I never saw this as an issue until recently, when it was pointed out that in refusing to allow my friends and family to help me when I needed it, I was also denying them the joy of helping me. Not being willing to accept help can also feel isolating. For me, acts of service have always been one of the main ways I show my friends and family I care. It makes me happy to make their lives easier. However, I often struggle to receive it from others. I don’t like feeling vulnerable. I never saw this as an issue until recently, when it was pointed out that in refusing to allow my friends and family to help me when I needed it, I was also denying them the joy of helping me. Not being willing to accept help can also feel isolating.

]]> Wed, 07 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/61394-building-community-its-ok-to-be-vulnerable http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/61394 Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), otherwise known as bird flu, has recently impacted dairy herds in certain regions. While this isn’t the typical scenario dairy producers are accustomed to, it offers us an important opportunity to revisit the fundamental care principles we extend to our cattle – principles not so different from what we seek when we’re down with the flu ourselves. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), otherwise known as bird flu, has recently impacted dairy herds in certain regions. While this isn’t the typical scenario dairy producers are accustomed to, it offers us an important opportunity to revisit the fundamental care principles we extend to our cattle – principles not so different from what we seek when we’re down with the flu ourselves.

]]> Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/61293-the-value-of-rest-and-hydration http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/61293 Think back with me to 2013. Terrorists targeted the Boston Marathon, setting off pressure cooker bombs filled with nails that killed three and injured hundreds. Disney released the animated movie Frozen with its hit song "Let It Go." The current papal leader Pope Francis was elected. And Bitcoin crossed the then-unimaginable threshold of $1,000 in value. (As of this writing, Bitcoin is now worth $85,000.) Think back with me to 2013. Terrorists targeted the Boston Marathon, setting off pressure cooker bombs filled with nails that killed three and injured hundreds. Disney released the animated movie Frozen with its hit song "Let It Go." The current papal leader Pope Francis was elected. And Bitcoin crossed the then-unimaginable threshold of $1,000 in value. (As of this writing, Bitcoin is now worth $85,000.)

]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/61154-can-your-dairy-last-another-10-years http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/61154 What a year! Between political changes, policy uncertainties, the bird flu outbreak in 17 states, new dairy processing facilities starting to come online, milk prices rising and the USDA finalizing changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO), the last 12 months have been a bit of a rollercoaster. However, it’s exciting that the outlook for 2025 looks much brighter than one year ago. What a year! Between political changes, policy uncertainties, the bird flu outbreak in 17 states, new dairy processing facilities starting to come online, milk prices rising and the USDA finalizing changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO), the last 12 months have been a bit of a rollercoaster. However, it’s exciting that the outlook for 2025 looks much brighter than one year ago. 

]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/61118-2025-state-of-dairy http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/61118 Growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, my Sundays were often spent watching the Green Bay Packers. So this December, as I was spending yet another Sunday cheering on my team, the announcers said actor Craig T. Nelson was at Lambeau Field that weekend to promote a movie that really piqued my interest. Growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, my Sundays were often spent watching the Green Bay Packers. So this December, as I was spending yet another Sunday cheering on my team, the announcers said actor Craig T. Nelson was at Lambeau Field that weekend to promote a movie that really piqued my interest.

]]> Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/61027-green-and-gold-movie-encapsulates-life-on-a-midwestern-farm http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/61027 I’ve spent the better half of a decade telling dairy farming families’ stories – the ones of humble beginnings and great accomplishments, even those so tragic we wish for them to be untrue. I’ve spent the better half of a decade telling dairy farming families’ stories – the ones of humble beginnings and great accomplishments, even those so tragic we wish for them to be untrue.

]]> Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/60841-the-kingston-quilt http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/60841 It’s not too late to plan to achieve more in 2025 than you ever have before on your dairy. It’s not too late to plan to achieve more in 2025 than you ever have before on your dairy.

]]> Sun, 19 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/60833-feed-the-change-beast-its-selfish http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/60833 New Year's Day, a day for flower-covered parade floats, football, chips and dip and new years resolutions. My earliest memories of New Year's Day are of my dad coming home with a dozen donuts and all of us sitting on the couch eating donuts and watching the Rose Parade. As a kid, I remember people talking about New Year's resolutions, but I never had one and I still don’t make them. Instead, I work to maintain what I like to think of as a growth mindset. New Year's Day, a day for flower-covered parade floats, football, chips and dip and new years resolutions. My earliest memories of New Year's Day are of my dad coming home with a dozen donuts and all of us sitting on the couch eating donuts and watching the Rose Parade. As a kid, I remember people talking about New Year's resolutions, but I never had one and I still don’t make them. Instead, I work to maintain what I like to think of as a growth mindset.

]]> Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/60773-flowers-football-food-and-a-growth-mindset http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/60773 We hear about the “magic” of the season a lot this time of year, but what exactly is it about Christmas that makes us feel this way? Is it the family gatherings, the laughter, the warmth of a cozy fire, the festive lights or is it something else? We hear about the “magic” of the season a lot this time of year, but what exactly is it about Christmas that makes us feel this way? Is it the family gatherings, the laughter, the warmth of a cozy fire, the festive lights or is it something else?

]]> Thu, 12 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/60669-find-the-magic http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/60669 I know. I know. You just received our magazine with a nativity scene on the cover, and you’re probably thinking, “The Christmas issue, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet!” I know. I know. You just received our magazine with a nativity scene on the cover, and you’re probably thinking, “The Christmas issue, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet!”

]]> Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/60604-its-not-even-thanksgiving-yet http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/60604 “A calf on the loose!” Those were the words my son Declan hollered one evening just before bedtime. “A calf on the loose!” Those were the words my son Declan hollered one evening just before bedtime. 

]]> Thu, 07 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/60406-a-tale-of-shortcuts-and-shortcomings http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/60406 When my husband and I were first married, we tried to do it all. On our first Thanksgiving together, we drove 12 hours from North Carolina to Connecticut, arrived at my parents' house around 7 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, ate breakfast, took a nap and then woke up in time to join my family for Thanksgiving round 1. A few hours and a ton of food later, we ditched that party for Thanksgiving round 2 at my husband’s aunt and uncle’s house. When my husband and I were first married, we tried to do it all. On our first Thanksgiving together, we drove 12 hours from North Carolina to Connecticut, arrived at my parents' house around 7 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, ate breakfast, took a nap and then woke up in time to join my family for Thanksgiving round 1. A few hours and a ton of food later, we ditched that party for Thanksgiving round 2 at my husband’s aunt and uncle’s house.

]]> Sat, 19 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/60410-too-many-yeses-not-enough-sleep http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/60410