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​​Central Plains Dairy Expo announces concert headliner
It’s the news you’ve been waiting for. Who will headline the Central Plains Dairy Expo (CPDE) concert on March 17? BlackHawk!
 For more than 20 years, BlackHawk has shared a unique sense of harmony with their voices, their songs and their fans. It’s a harmony that has sold more than 7 million albums, scored some of the most distinctive country radio hits of the 1990s and still draws tens of thousands of fans to their electrifying live performances. Today, BlackHawk continues to honor its past as it forges its future – and does it all with a commitment that takes their music – and harmony – to a whole new level.
BlackHawk’s 1993 self-titled Arista debut album launched with the smash single “Goodbye Says It All,” followed by the Top 5 hits “Every Once in a While,” “I Sure Can Smell the Rain,” “Down in Flames” and “That’s Just About Right.” The album certified Double-Platinum and the band received an Academy of Country Music Award nomination as Best New Vocal Group Of The Year.
When BlackHawk made its debut in 1993, band members included Henry Paul, Van Stephenson  and Dave Robbins. Unfortunately, at the height of the trio’s success in 1999, Stephenson was diagnosed with an aggressive form of melanoma. He died two years later.
Following Stepehson’s death, Paul and Robbins regrouped and returned to the album charts with their Greatest Hits – dedicated to Van and featuring his final track “Ships Of Heaven,” as well as 2002’s “Spirit Dancer” and 2011’s “Down From The Mountain.”
Join us on Tuesday, March 17, for the popular CPDE concert – featuring BlackHawk, whose harmony remains a powerful force. “BlackHawk has a 20-year history of a certain kind of song craft as well as a quality of performance,” says Paul. Come see and listen for yourself!
Reminder: The free concert is open to all CPDE producers. Complete your registration today for the 2026 Central Plains Dairy Expo – March 17-19, at the Denny Sanford Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
CPDF announces Grant Program to fund dairy industry leadership, education, community initiatives
The Central Plains Dairy Foundation (CPDF), a 501(c)(3) organization committed to strengthening the dairy industry across Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, revealed its 2026 Grant Program. We believe that the future of dairy thrives when innovation, leadership and community engagement are encouraged. That’s why we established our Grant Program to give financial support to organizations, farms and community groups that:
- Offer scholarships to develop tomorrow’s dairy industry professionals
- Host agritourism and educational events that bring the dairy story to the public
- Develop programs that strengthen the dairy sector through community outreach, leadership development or public awareness initiatives.
The Grant Program is open to non-profit organizations and farms committed to the dairy industry across our five-state region (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota). We are looking for projects that:
- Demonstrate collaboration, creativity and measurable impact
- Support dairy industry promotion beyond “business as usual”
- Align with CPDF’s commitment to investing in the people of dairy, supporting education and advancing industry resiliency
“Dairy is about more than production; it's about the people, the communities and the stories behind it,” said Kristy Mach, CPDF executive director. “Through this Grant Program, we have the opportunity to invest in projects that build leadership, foster public trust and help dairy communities evolve.”
The dairy industry in the Central Plains is more than milk and cows; it’s about people, places and community. Whether it’s a farm hosting a family agritourism event or an educational organization offering dairy leadership training, these projects create connections between dairy producers and the broader public, help develop the next generation of dairy professionals and strengthen rural communities. By offering this Grant Program, CPDF helps turn ideas into action and ensures that our region’s dairy heritage continues to evolve and thrive.
Applications for the 2026 funding cycle are now open. Interested applicants should consult CPDF’s website for full details, including eligibility, guidelines, deadlines and submission instructions. Projects that align with dairy education, leadership and/or agritourism are strongly encouraged.
The Central Plains Dairy Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to investing in the people of dairy across the I-29 corridor and surrounding region. Through scholarship programs, educational grants and industry partnerships, CPDF promotes innovation, leadership and sustainability in the dairy industry.
English
When leadership shows up: How manager and owner involvement transforms dairy employee training
By Maristela Rovai, South Dakota State University, and Lynn Boadwine, South Dakota State University and Boadwine Farms Inc., Baltic, S.D.
Dairy farms invest time and effort in employee training, yet results often disappoint. Knowledge fades within weeks (70% of skills gained in training are lost within 4 to 6 weeks), procedures aren’t implemented consistently and operations quickly return to old patterns. The difference between training that creates temporary awareness and training that generates lasting transformation NOT only lies in the content but also in who participates, how the training environment is created and the quality of follow-up.
View the full article here.
Spanish
Liderazgo en acción: Cómo el involucramiento del gerente y propietario transforma la capacitación de empleados lecheros
Por Maristela Rovai, South Dakota State University, and Lynn Boadwine, South Dakota State University and Boadwine Farms Inc., Baltic, S.D.
Las lecherías invierten tiempo y esfuerzo capacitación, pero los resultados a menudo frustran. El conocimiento se desvanece rápidamente (pierde 70% en 4-6 semanas tras capacitación), los procedimientos no se implementan de forma consistente y el manejo regresa rápidamente a los viejos patrones. La capacitación que genera transformación duradera NO solo radica en el contenido, sino también en quién participe, en el ambiente de capacitación y en el seguimiento.
Lea el artículo completo aquí.
​Keeping your eyes open
Former Dairy Challenge host dairies agree that there is value in an outside perspective
By Gail Carpenter, Iowa State University state dairy extension specialist and associate North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge vice chair
In 2011, when Jack Hammock was 8 years old, his home farm was a contest dairy for the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC). In 2024, he competed at NAIDC at the national contest in California. In November 2025, he was a judge at the Southern Regional Dairy Challenge. For most of his life, Hammock knew the value of Dairy Challenge to the farms that participated.
Hammock joined Dairy Challenge as a student because he had “a willingness to try something new,” he said. As a former host dairy, “I knew about the program and my siblings went through the program as well when they were in college.” Now as an alumnus of the program and a dairy producer himself, he fully understands the value of Dairy Challenge and is eager to give back. “I’m really thankful that I did get involved,” he said.
What is Dairy Challenge?
 In 2026, NAIDC will be held in Sioux Falls, S.D., just weeks after Central Plains Dairy Expo. As happens every year, several local dairies will host college students for this event. Dairy Challenge is a farm evaluation competition for college students across the United States and Canada. Students compete in teams and begin the contest with a review of data provided by the dairy, which includes an in-depth questionnaire completed by the producer, a backup of the farm’s herd management software, a summary of farm financials, written protocols and copies of farm rations. The next day, students tour the dairy and interview the producer. They develop recommendations for the farm and justify these recommendations with estimated financial impact in a 20-minute presentation. Between the release of farm data and submission of presentations, only about 24 hours have passed. The next day, they present to a panel of five industry judges.
Dairy producers from host farms work with NAIDC volunteers to curate the data that is needed for the contest, open their farms to dozens of students and participate in interviews. In return, they receive consulting services from college students across the country, as well as a panel of industry experts.
The value of Dairy Challenge
When asked what the best part of Dairy Challenge is from the farmer perspective, Hammock responded, “These are some of the brightest students in the country. Getting to hear from students and industry personnel keeps your eyes open.” Many previous host dairies from NAIDC at the regional and national level have said the same thing.
A series of articles in Hoard’s Dairyman highlighted the advice that dairy farmers who hosted regional and national contests have received from Dairy Challenge judges and participants that they had implemented on their home dairies. These ranged from installing new footbaths to adjusting their fetch cow protocols to changing their heifer breeding strategies. Over and over again, the main feedback from these producers was that it was not that they learned about something that they overlooked, it was that the presentations that they saw helped them prioritize the next change they needed to make.
Hammock’s experience echoes what these producers have said. “As producers, we can get very focused,” he commented. “I see these farms every day and this data every day. Be open to ideas from other people on how to improve your own operation. In today’s industry, we always have to find some way to improve.”
Would you do it again?
When asked if they would serve as a host dairy for Dairy Challenge again, host farms in the Hoard’s Dairyman series repeatedly replied with an enthusiastic, “Yes!”
Hammock agrees. The best thing about Dairy Challenge, he said, “is networking.” He continued, “(There are) tons of people I met as a kid, as a student and now as a judge, who I frequently contact to this day and will continue to for plenty of years to come. Getting to meet people, see old faces, see new faces – it’s pretty special.”
Are you interested in learning more about Dairy Challenge? Check out the group’s website at: dairychallenge.org.
USDA offers new disaster assistance programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced several new disaster assistance programs to help producers recover from natural disaster-related losses in 2023 and 2024. These programs include:
Many producers previously received assistance through SDRP Stage 1, which used existing crop insurance and NAP information to streamline the application process. USDA’s newly released Stage 2 is designed to support producers who experienced shallow losses, were uninsured or may have had quality losses that were not fully covered under Stage 1.
If you have questions about eligibility or the application process, contact your local USDA Service Center.
Central Plains dairies excel in DCRC repro awards program
The Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) honored 24 dairies for reaching exceptional reproduction achievements. These dairies received Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze in DCRC’s Excellence in Dairy Reproduction Awards program during the group’s annual meeting, held Nov. 11-13 in Middleton, Wis. The 24 dairies excel at reproductive efficiency, fertility and well-implemented management procedures. Platinum recognition went to: Cottonwood Dairy, LLC (Jim Winn), South Wayne, Wis.; Felling Dairy LLC (Jason Felling), Sauk Centre, Minn.; Hendriks Dairies (Tyler Hendriks), Brucefield, Ont., Canada; Mar-Bec Dairy (Marty and Becky Hallock), Mondovi, Wis.; Pleasant View Farm (Rodney Metzler and John Proskine), Martinsburg, Pa.; and Schumacher Farms (Kurt and Trisha Schumacher), Elgin, Minn.
Platinum award winners L to R: Torry Swiggum, Cottonwood Dairy, Jason Felling, Felling Dairy, John Proskine, Pleasant View Farms, Tyler Hendriks, Hendriks Dairy
In addition to the six Platinum winners, there were six Gold, six Silver and six Bronze winners (listed below). One hundred thirty-four nominations came from four countries, 18 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. Farms were nominated by dairy professionals who serve the dairy industry, such as veterinarians, extension specialists and artificial insemination and pharmaceutical company representatives.
Gold
Allevamento Della Rossa s.s agr. (Della Rossa Marco), Centallo, Italy
Hammink Dairy (Wim Hammink), Bruce, S.D.
North Creek Dairy (Corey Hoffman), Chatfield, Minn.
NuStar Farms (Anthony and Lori Nunes), Sibley, Iowa
Shea Dairy (Tom and Jason Shea), Viola, Minn.
Way-Har Farms (Lesher Family), Bernville, Pa.
Silver
Boadwine Farm Inc. (Riley Boadwine), Baltic, S.D.
Hoffman Family Farm (Keith Hoffman), Shinglehouse, Pa.
Holmesville Dairy (Travis & Stephanie Holmes), Argyle, Wis.
Newmont Farm (Will Gladstone), Fairlee, Vt.
Rock Bottom Jerseys (Bernie Bakker), Alvord, Iowa
Soc. Agr. Cervi Ciboldi (Cervi Ciboldi Ceilia), Cremona, Italy
Bronze
Four J Farms (Ryan Junio), Tipton, Calif.
Kliebenstein Farms (Nate and Morgan Kliebenstein), Darlington, Wis.
Modak Dairy (Jacob Moes), Goodwin, S.D.
Pickmick Farms LTD. (Melissa Thibaudier), Delta, B.C., Canada
Stellete Farms (Stefan Mueller), Milverton, Ont., Canada
Trailside Holsteins LLC (Michael and Margaret Johnson), Fountain, Minn.
This awards program recognizes dairy producers whose herds excel in getting cows safe in calf. DCRC’s Excellence in Dairy Cattle Reproduction judges considered many criteria when reviewing finalists’ applications, including pregnancy rate, voluntary waiting period, interbreeding intervals, heat detection, conception rate, value of reproduction and culling rate.
Register for NMC’s 65th annual meeting
NMC: The Global Milk Quality Organization invites you to attend the 65th NMC Annual Meeting, Jan. 26-29, at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham in Birmingham, Ala. The 2026 NMC Annual Meeting revolves around the theme “What’s Best for Her.” This event will help the global dairy industry capitalize on available strategies to prevent, treat and control mastitis, enhance udder health and foster animal health.
To view the meeting agenda and/or to register, go to: https://www.nmconline.org/2026-annual-meeting. Book your hotel room at: bit.ly/NMC2026hotel. You may make reservations through Jan. 5 to be part of the NMC room block, which offers hotel guest rooms at a reduced rate.
 “Proper care of each cow is essential to produce high-quality milk,” stated NMC First Vice President Roger Thomson, MQ-IQ Consulting and Michigan State University. “When cows live in a clean and comfortable environment, receive regular health monitoring, balanced nutrition and are prepped to achieve clean, dry well-stimulated teats every milking, they experience ‘What’s Best for Her’ care. Healthy, well-cared-for cows naturally produce high-quality milk, which benefits dairy producers and consumers alike,” added Thomson, who is serving as the 2026 NMC Annual Meeting Program Committee chair.
Each NMC Annual Meeting General Session focuses on a milk quality-related topic, including Balancing Her Comfort and Welfare, Milk Harvest and Welfare, Global Dairy and Small Ruminant Production Systems, Doing What's Best for Her in the Future, and Keeping the Cow's Well-being at the Heart of Milk Quality. Plus, 10 graduate students will present their research during the Research and Development Summaries Session, being held the afternoon of Jan. 28 (concurrently with the Global Dairy and Small Ruminant Production Systems sessions).
The 2026 NMC Annual Meeting will again offer simultaneous Spanish interpretation. Thus, English- and Spanish-speaking NMC members may comprehend all General Session and Research and Development Summaries Session presentations.
Furthermore, the NMC Annual Meeting offers 13 Short Courses, which provide a classroom setting and small group learning experiences. Due to their popularity, most NMC Short Courses fill quickly, so register soon.
Holstein Association USA invites nominations for 2026 awards
Holstein Association USA will recognize exceptional breeders and dairy industry leaders through its annual awards program, including the Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder, Distinguished Leadership and Elite Breeder honors.
“These awards celebrate the very best of our Holstein community,” said Lindsey Worden, Holstein Association USA CEO. “We encourage everyone to nominate a peer or mentor who has made a difference or even apply yourself. It’s an opportunity to honor excellence and inspire the next generation of Holstein leaders.”
Applications for the 2026 awards are due Jan. 31, 2026. Holstein enthusiasts are invited to submit nominations for the Elite Breeder and Distinguished Leadership awards, which remain eligible for consideration for three years after initial submission. Young breeders between the ages of 21 and 40 are encouraged to apply for the Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder Award.
About the awards
The Elite Breeder Award honors a living Holstein Association USA member, family, partnership or corporation that has bred outstanding animals and made a lasting contribution to the advancement of U.S. Registered Holsteins.
The Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes an individual whose leadership, service and vision have strengthened Holstein Association USA and the dairy community as a whole.
The Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder Award celebrates the accomplishments of young Registered Holstein breeders ages 21 to 40. Applicants may be individuals, a couple or business partners. The recipient will receive travel and lodging expenses (for up to two people) to the National Holstein Convention, complimentary tickets to the Awards Luncheon and a $2,000 cash award.
Award applications are available at: https://www.holsteinusa.com/awards/individuals.html. Honorees will be recognized at the 2026 National Holstein Convention, June 22-25, in Orlando, Fla. Learn more at www.holsteinconvention.com.
Robert H. Rumler MBA Scholarship
Holstein Association USA also offers the Robert H. Rumler MBA Scholarship, which provides $3,000 to a student pursuing a master’s degree in business administration with an interest in agriculture. Applications are due April 15, 2026.
Healthy lungs, better beef
By Maureen Hanson, Dairy Herd Management
The beef-on-dairy revolution has transformed the cattle industry in the United States. In less than a decade, beef-on-dairy calves have evolved from virtually non-existent to making up nearly one-fifth of the U.S. fed beef supply.
The journey to the feedyard for those calves is quite different than that of their native beef pen mates. As this unique segment of the industry evolves, interest is growing in improving the systems that eventually bring those calves to market, from their dairy of origin to the packer.
In a recent I-29 Moo University webinar, Penn State University animal science graduate student Ingrid Fernandes presented results of her master’s degree research. The study examined the incidence of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in beef-cross calves and its potential influence on fed beef performance.
Read the complete Dairy Herd Management article here.
📸: Dairy Herd Management
How dairy became a modern wellness powerhouse
Science, tech and farmer-led collaboration strengthen dairy’s role in health and wellness.
Just a few years ago, food analysts cast doubt on dairy’s future. Plant-based alternatives commanded venture capital attention and grocery shelf space, while traditional dairy appeared destined for decline. Today, that narrative has flipped entirely, with dairy reaffirming its relevance through renewed consumer trust, innovation in products and science, and the leadership of America’s dairy farmers.
Retail sales have surged 5.5% year over year, while premium dairy segments are posting double-digit growth. And the industry committed $10 billion to new processing infrastructure in the past three years, signaling renewed investment and confidence. Behind this growth is research and innovation – key drivers of dairy’s modern relevance.
“We focused on what we do best – the science,” says Barbara O’Brien, president and CEO of Dairy Management Inc. and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, based in Rosemont, Ill. “We doubled down to understand dairy’s unique nutritional role in people’s lives and that focus is fueling our momentum today.”
Read the complete Wall Street Journal article here.
Checkoff Watch: Checkoff continues whole-milk research focus – and it’s paying off
 For decades, dairy farmers have believed in the value of whole milk and thanks to your checkoff investment, National Dairy Council (NDC) is leading the science to prove it. What began more than 100 years ago with groundbreaking research on vitamin D and bone health has grown into a world-class scientific program. Today, NDC’s work spans from heart health to emotional well-being – and we’ve made whole milk a central focus along the way. Our nutrition research program funds 30 to 40 studies every year and publishes around 25 research articles annually, all with the goal of strengthening dairy’s place in the modern diet.
Over the past two decades, more than 80 studies have focused on whole milk and whole-milk dairy foods. These findings are reviewed by third-party scientists, published in credible journals and shared with researchers, health professionals and thought leaders nationwide.
What we have learned is, the evidence is clear: Whole milk and whole-milk dairy foods can fit into a healthy diet – with milk, cheese and yogurt at all fat levels being linked to reduced risk of diet-related diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Click here to read the complete Progressive Dairy article.
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