People

Weekly Digest: Checkoff to celebrate National Cheese Day June 4

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:15:50 -0400

In the news related to dairy farming the first week of June 2026: The dairy checkoff brings "Body by Cheese" to life for National Cheese Day, U.S. dairy calls for action on Canadian dairy trade practices, and the FARM Program kicks off its annual Excellence Awards.

Progressive Publishing welcomes Patryce LeFevre as a summer editorial intern for Progressive Dairy

Tue, 19 May 2026 09:58:37 -0400

Patryce (Eldredge) LeFevre is no stranger to the dairy industry. She grew up on a dairy farm in southeastern Idaho on the Idaho-Utah border, and is Progressive Dairy's editorial intern this summer.

Weekly Digest: NMC announces agenda for June regional meeting in Wisconsin

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:16:13 -0400

In dairy-related news the second week of April 2026: NMC announces agenda for June regional meeting in Wisconsin, the GDT index drops 3.4%, farmer sentiment improves despite rising input costs, and Hiland Dairy hosts a grand opening at its Texas production facility.

New Hires: Ben Weikert

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Meet Ben Weikert, Director, Agricultural Consulting Services, Dairy One Cooperative, Inc.

Weekly Digest: Holstein Association USA board approves additional changes

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:04:17 -0400

In dairy-related news during the first week of April 2026: the Holstein Association USA board approves additional changes, U.S. farmers share their planting intentions, USDA expands SNAP dairy nutrition incentives, and World Dairy Expo announces award winners and new board members.

New Hires: Irie Moussiaux

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Meet Irie Moussiaux, ruminant territory sales representative, Jefo USA

Meet the new leader of the Field Crops Pathology Lab at Cornell University

jrb7@cornell.edu — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Camilo H. Parada Rojas has joined Cornell University as an assistant professor of field crops pathology with extension responsibilities. He grew up in Colombia and trained as a plant pathologist within the U.S. land-grant system, where he learned to approach disease management through research, extension, and direct engagement with growers.

Weekly Digest: IDFA holds elections, presents awards at annual Dairy Forum

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:34:04 -0500

In the news related to dairy farming as we begin February 2026: IDFA holds annual Dairy Forum, USDA shifts sterile fly dispersal efforts to defend U.S. border, CoBank: Dairy poised to help meet consumers growing demand for protein, and several awards were given across the industry.

Country artist Hailey Whitters highlights dairy in recent album campaign

matti@agproud.com — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

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.

New Hires: MaryGrace Erickson

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Meet MaryGrace Erickson, dairy nutritionist, CSA Animal Nutrition

Weekly Digest: Dairy industry praises Julie Callahan confirmation as chief agricultural negotiator

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 15:12:58 -0500

In dairy-related news as 2025 comes to a close: Dairy industry praises Julie Callahan confirmation as chief agricultural negotiator, milkfat supply outpaces demand in recent months, and genetic sequencing results released for Wisconsin dairy herd detection of HPAI.

New Hires: Chase Milem

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Meet Chase Milem, associate director of marketing – dairy monitoring, Merck Animal Health

3 minutes avec Brady Martin, recrue de la LNH

matti@agproud.com — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

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.

New Hires: Jennifer Brown

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Meet Jennifer Brown, west territory sales manager, ruminant USA, Jefo

Weekly Digest: Senate passes Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:48:34 -0500

In dairy-related news the final week of November 2025: the Senate passes Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, the EPA and Army Corps unveil WOTUS proposal, the USDA launches a website for New World screwworm, and dairy leaders share progress and priorities at sustainability meeting.

New Hires: Charlie Hoffman

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Meet Charlie Hoffman, performance specialist, CowManager

Progressive Publishing seeks summer interns for U.S. and Canada

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 16:27:14 -0500

Agricultural students with training in journalism or communications are invited to apply for Progressive Publishing's 2026 editorial internship program. The deadline for application consideration is Jan. 2, 2026, for U.S. residents or Jan. 30, 2026, for Canadian residents.

New Hires: William Wolf

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Meet William Wolf, senior dairy technology support specialist, CowManager

3 Open Minutes with Jordon Underhill

audrey@agproud.com — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Progressive Dairy Editor Audrey Schmitz recently connected with Jordon Underhill, president of the American Dairy XPO coming up on Nov. 5-6 at the Champlain Valley Expo Centre in Essex, Vermont.

Progressive Dairy would like you to meet the American Dairy XPO team

frances@agproud.com — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Progressive Dairy reached out to six members of the ADX team to learn more about who they are and why they serve in such a role. Here is what they had to say.

Laura Hernandez: Mentor, researcher and leader

frances@agproud.com — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Laura Hernandez would not be where she is today if it was not for the support or guidance of her parents. They always told her to never give up and believe in what she can accomplish. Hernandez was consistently reminded that if you work hard, you can make it happen.

Meet the World Dairy Expo Executive Committee

frances@agproud.com — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Economic Update: October Class I base milk price falls to $18.04

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:45:22 -0400

In the news affecting dairy producers' bottom lines in the middle of September 2025: the October Class I base milk price falls to $18.04, the Federal Reserve makes its first rate cut since December, the GDT index is down slightly, and fluid milk sales were down in July.

California Milk Advisory Board interns travel to Thailand

frances@agproud.com — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Anissa Borges and Dayana Limon Santiago traveled to Thailand with the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) as part of its international internship program this summer.

New Hires: Kay Faherty

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Meet Kay Faherty, Trade Show Manager, World Dairy Expo

Zachary Damrow inspires youth to get involved in the dairy industry

frances@agproud.com — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

When Zachary Damrow first moved to Idaho, youth involvement in the dairy show industry was very minimal – and over the years, it continued to decline. After he and his wife had their two children, Callen and Dawson, Damrow felt inspired to ensure there would be something meaningful for them to be a part of.

Economic Update: USDA outlines plan to strengthen rural veterinary workforce

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 13:38:08 -0400

In the news affecting a dairy producer's bottom line this first week of September 2025: The USDA outlines a plan to strengthen the rural veterinary workforce, farmer sentiment weakens, the GDT index tumbles 4.3%, and Westby Cooperative Creamery announces a $14 million expansion.

New Hires: Asha Miles

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Meet Asha Miles, director, Dairy Records Management Systems.

Weekly Digest: Dairy companies slash added sugars by nearly 60% ahead of new school year

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 17:13:32 -0400

In dairy-related news the second week of August 2025: Dairy companies slash added sugars by nearly 60% ahead of new school year, dairy processing updates, Peace & Plenty Farm recognized as the 2025 McKown Master Breeder, 2026 Holstein Association USA delegate election underway and more.

New Hires: Jessica Engel

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Meet Jessica Engel, dairy specialist at Vita Plus.