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Grazing on the Greens: So much more than a golf tournament
Grazing on the Greens ( Central Plains Dairy Foundation’s [CPDF] annual golf outing) is more than an excuse to get away from your “day job” and catch up with your dairy industry colleagues. It’s also a vital cog that drives CPDF’s ability to annually provide four undergraduate student scholarships and $34,000 worth of grants. This year’s Grazing on the Greens is set for July 29, at Rocky Run Golf Course, Dell Rapids, S.D.
“Supporting Grazing on the Greens today helps ensure a strong tomorrow for the Central Plains dairy industry,” said Central Plains Dairy Association Member Services Director Renee Brod. “Without the funds generated from this exceptional networking event, the Foundation couldn’t make such a powerful impact on students’ and nonprofit organizations’ success and reach.
Last year’s Grazing on the Greens sold out four weeks prior to the event. So, register your team today! While you’re at it, sign up for a sponsorship package that aligns with your marketing goals. Go to: https://www.centralplainsdairy.com/golf-outing to learn how you can get the most out of your sponsorship and capitalize on this popular networking event.
2026 CPDF scholarship recipients
Jacob Harbaugh, a University of Minnesota-Twin Cities student from Marion, Wis., earned the $10,000 Emery Bartle Scholarship recipient. An animal science and applied economics major, Harbaugh served as the University of Minnesota Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity president. In Gopher Dairy Club, he was on the leadership team, holding the post of officer at-large, and chaired the Judging Contest Committee. Last year, Harbaugh was a University of Minnesota Dairy Judging team member and placed first in oral reasons at the Vernon County (Wisconsin) Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. During the 2024 World Dairy Expo, Harbaugh was recognized as the Merle Howard Award recipient.
Kaleb Heins, a University of Minnesota-Twin Cities student from Morris, Minn., and Kayla Visser, a University of Minnesota-Twin Cities student from Hutchinson, Minn., won $5,000 CPDF Scholarships.
Heins, an animal science – dairy production major, is a FarmHouse Fraternity member who was the director of administration and alumni relations, and director of house maintenance and risk management. Last year, he interned with Riverview, LLP. This role exposed him to a wide range of responsibilities, from reproduction and mastitis control to maternity and calf care, equipment maintenance and nutrition management. Also, Heins completed an internship with the University of Minnesota Research and Outreach Center in Morris. He helped collect data on calf growth, breeding patterns, fly populations and forage development.
An animal science and agriculture communications major, Visser belongs to Beta of Clovia Sorority, Gopher Dairy Club, Agricultural Education, Communications and Marketing Club, and College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Mentor Program. Involvement in these groups allows Visser to connect with faculty, professionals and peers with similar interests, all of which have aided in narrowing her future career plans. In addition to university activities, Visser serves as the McLeod County Dairy Princess and Minnesota Jersey Queen. She credits the dairy industry for building her work and resilience skills.
Lindsay Beyer, an Iowa State University student from Independence, Iowa, won the $1,000 Lon and Kathy Tonneson Scholarship. The Tonneson Scholarship goes to a student pursuing a degree in agriculture with emphasis in ag communication and/or leadership. This scholarship honors the Tonnesons for their years of dedication to growing agriculture, supporting the local dairy industry and growing the Central Plains Dairy Expo into the most reputable dairy show in the region.
Beyer is an agriculture communications major and currently served as an Iowa FFA state officer. Active in the Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow and Sigma Alpha Delta, she stated, “In an ever-changing society, one thing remains constant: agriculture is the ‘backbone’ of our world.” Beyer’s belief that communication and leadership are essential in agriculture stems from more than just her education; it comes from her experiences. She believes that the most effective way to communicate with consumers and articulate the importance of agriculture is through stories and experiences – not through impressive facts or big words.
2026 CPDF grant recipients
- Dordt University
- Iowa State Dairy Association
- Nebraska State Dairy Association
- South Dakota Dairy Producers
- South Dakota Dairy Field Representatives Association
- South Dakota State University Foundation
- Western Iowa Dairy Alliance
- Mitchell Technical College Foundation
- DairyFest
To learn more about Grazing on the Greens, click here.
English
Subclinical mastitis – The tip of the iceberg
Why is subclinical mastitis still important?
By Maria Jose Fuenzalida Valenzuela, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Mastitis remains one of the most important and costly diseases affecting dairy herds worldwide1,2. Even in herds with excellent milk quality and low bulk tank somatic cell counts (BTSCC, <150,000 cells/mL), subclinical mastitis can still be present and quietly reduces milk production, affects milk quality and increases culling and treatment costs. Through a series of practical questions, this article highlights why subclinical mastitis should be considered the tip of the iceberg in dairy herd health management.
If your herd has a low BTSCC, does that mean mastitis is no longer a problem?
Not necessarily. Today, many dairy farms maintain excellent milk quality through consistent milking routines, proper equipment maintenance, dry cow therapy and effective management practices. As a result, the prevalence of traditional contagious pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae has decreased considerably in many dairy regions3-5. However, this shift has changed how mastitis prevention and control programs are developed and implemented. Non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) and environmental pathogens now play a greater role in mastitis cases6,7. Many of these infections are difficult to detect because they are more commonly associated with subclinical, rather than clinical, episodes of the disease.
Read the full article here.
Spanish
Mastitis subclínica: La punta del iceberg
¿Por qué la mastitis subclínica sigue siendo importante?
Por By Maria Jose Fuenzalida Valenzuela, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
La mastitis continúa siendo una de las enfermedades más importantes y costosas que afectan a las granjas lecheras en todo el mundo 1,2. Incluso en granjas con excelente calidad de leche y bajos recuentos de células somáticas en tanque (RCST, <150,000 células/mL), la mastitis subclínica puede estar presente y reducir silenciosamente la producción de leche, afectar la calidad de la leche y aumentar los costos de tratamiento y descarte de vacas. A través de una serie de preguntas prácticas, este artículo destaca por qué la mastitis subclínica debe considerarse la punta del iceberg en el manejo sanitario de las granjas lecheras.
¿Si su granja tiene un BTSCC bajo, significa que la mastitis ya no es un problema?
No necesariamente. Actualmente, muchas granjas lecheras mantienen una excelente calidad de leche mediante rutinas de ordeño consistentes, mantenimiento adecuado del equipo, terapia de secado y prácticas de manejo efectivas. Como resultado, la prevalencia de patógenos contagiosos tradicionales como Staphylococcus aureus y Streptococcus agalactiae ha disminuido considerablemente en muchas regiones lecheras 3-5. Sin embargo, este cambio ha modificado la forma en que se desarrollan e implementan los programas de prevención y control de mastitis. Los estafilococos no aureus (ENA) y patógenos ambientales ahora desempeñan un papel más importante en los casos de mastitis 6,7. Muchas de estas infecciones son difíciles de detectar porque se asocian con mayor frecuencia a episodios subclínicos más que clínicos de la enfermedad.
Lee el artículo completo aquí
Stateline Dairy and Ag Outlook Seminar is set for June 10.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s annual Stateline Dairy and Ag Outlook Seminar returns June 10, at Empty Nest Winery in Waukon, Iowa. This one‑day seminar brings together agricultural lenders, financial advisers and dairy producers to explore market outlooks, risk management strategies and practical tools for successful farm transitions. 
Designed with lender portfolios and producer profitability in mind, the program blends dairy and livestock market forecasts, estate and transition planning, and alternative dairy entry strategies to help farms remain financially resilient – today and well into the next generation. Lenders and advisers are encouraged to attend alongside the producers they serve to strengthen planning conversations and long‑term business relationships.
Check‑in begins at 9:30 a.m., with the program running from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Pre‑registration is required by June 3. Registration is $100 for agricultural lenders and service providers, and $25 for producers and students.
Find more details here.
ISU schedules Dairy Farm Open House
The Iowa State University Dairy Farm “opens its doors” to visitors on June 19, 7-11 a.m. Located at 52470 260 th Street, Ames, this dairy farm uses modern farming practices. The event strives to help educate the public and consumers about modern day agriculture.
Throughout the morning, guests may indulge in breakfast, receive informational tours of the milking parlor and milk house, hop on a trolley and receive a driving tour of the farm, and learn about various commodity groups within Iowa.
Look for more information here.
World Forage Analysis Superbowl calls for entries
The World Forage Analysis Superbowl encourages North America forage producers to submit entries. The 2026 contest, held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo, is set to award more $26,000 in cash prizes, made possible by generous award sponsors, led by Awards Ceremony Sponsor Lallemand Animal Nutrition.
The deadline to submit corn silage samples is July 9, while all other entries must be submitted by Aug. 20. The $45 entry fee provides entry into the contest along with a detailed sample analysis that is sent to entrants after judging is complete. Entry forms are available here or by contacting any of the event sponsors listed below.
 The World Forage Analysis Superbowl is comprised of nine divisions that evaluate samples through lab and visual analyses. The winning entry of each division earns a cash award of $2,500, with additional cash prizes presented to second through fifth place. The divisions and their sponsors are Dairy Hay, sponsored by QLF Agronomy; Alfalfa Haylage, sponsored by Ag-Bag by RCI; Mixed/Grass Haylage, sponsored by Lallemand Animal Nutrition; Baleage, sponsored by Agri-King, Inc.; Standard Corn Silage, sponsored by Scherer Inc.; Cereal Forage – Ensiled, sponsored by ByronPRO/Byron Seeds; Brown Midrib (BMR) Corn Silage, sponsored by KingFisher; Commercial Hay, sponsored by CROPLAN and Grass Hay.
A Grand Champion Forage Producer is also named in the contest and receives a check for $2,500. The Grand Champion First-Time Entrant earns a $2,000 cash award. Special awards also include the $1,000 Quality Counts Award for Hay/Haylage sponsored by Agri-King, Inc. and the $1,000 Quality Counts Award for Corn Silage sponsored by Silostop. Additional support for the 42 nd annual World Forage Analysis Superbowl is provided by general sponsors Brevant seeds, DLF and ForageMate.
All award winners will be recognized at the Forage Superbowl Reception on Sept. 30, at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis.
The World Forage Analysis Superbowl is organized in partnership between Dairyland Laboratories, Inc., Hay & Forage Grower, U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, University of Wisconsin and World Dairy Expo. To learn more, visit World Forage Analysis Superbowl.
DCHA updates its ‘Gold Standards’
In early May, the Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (DCHA) released its revised Gold Standards – the industry benchmarks and best management practices for raising dairy calves and heifers, and beef x dairy animals. These standards guide dairy calf, beef x dairy and heifer raisers in growing the healthiest and most efficient and profitable dairy/beef x dairy animals possible. The overarching goal of DCHA’s Gold Standards is to improve the health and welfare of youngstock, allowing them to achieve their genetic potential, while helping producers improve the profitability and sustainability of their businesses.
"The Gold Standards have been developed using published data and input from DCHA leaders and  advisers,” stated DCHA President Kendall Wassenaar, Orange City, Iowa. “While individual herd goals, current level of attainment and geography may vary, the Gold Standards are meant to provide a framework for successful dairy replacement and beef x dairy raising. Dairy calf, beef x dairy and heifer raisers should use this information to identify areas for improvement, conduct training and implement plans that support the performance targets they want to attain.”
An easy-to-read document, which includes charts and graphs, the DCHA Gold Standards book integrates all pre-lactation ages into one document. It features performance and production standards – with animal welfare and best management strategies as the top priorities. Performance standards are the objective measures used to evaluate performance. Production standards are the recommended practices that enable achievement of performance goals. Industry-based research supports these standards.
“The DCHA Gold Standards strive to reflect positively on the dairy/beef x dairy industry and present a positive image to consumers,” Wassenaar added. Thus, the Gold Standards address newborn care, colostrum management, nutrition, health status, biosecurity, housing and environment, growth rate, reproduction and euthanasia.
DCHA members have access to the Gold Standards. If you’re not a DCHA member, go to: https://calfandheifer.org/member/membership-benefits to discover membership benefits and to join.
Individuals involved in creating the fifth edition of DCHA’s Gold Standards represent a wide range of professions, including calf ranchers, dairy producers, veterinarians, academia and nutritionists. Gold Standards Committee Members – Jason Anderson, Progressive Dairy Solutions, Inc., Leonardo Bringhenti, AHV International, Joseph Dalton, University of Idaho, Bethany Dado-Senn, Vita Plus Corporation, David Mathes, DBC Ag Products, Neil Michael, Progressive Dairy Solutions, Inc., Michael Overton, Zoetis, Rebekah Mathews, Ag Partners, Kimberley Morrill, Strauss Feeds, Minnie Ward, Feedworks, and Brian Wesemann, Furst Animal Health & McNess Nutrition – shared their expertise and experiences to develop the fifth edition.
Stephen LeBlanc to discuss cow longevity during DCRC webinar
Mark your calendar to attend the July 29 Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) webinar, scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Central time. University of Guelph’s Stephen LeBlanc, will address “Extended lactations and cow longevity: How long is long enough?” This one-hour webinar is free.
There are discussions in the dairy industry about whether it should be an explicit aim to increase longevity. Some assert that retaining cows for more years or extending lactation length contributes to sustainability, because fewer replacement animals would be needed – reducing the environmental costs of these non-productive animals. However, the questions should be considered critically. LeBlanc will outline why longevity is not a measure of animal welfare or profitability, and why we should seek to optimize – not maximize – longevity for each cow and herd.
To register for this DCRC webinar, go to: https://bit.ly/DCRCWebJuly29. If you are a DCRC member and cannot attend the live program, you may access the webinar recording at www.dcrcouncil.org after Aug. 12.
LeBlanc is a professor in the department of population medicine at the University of Guelph and director of Dairy at Guelph – The Centre for Dairy Research and Innovation. He received a bachelor’s degree in animal science from McGill University in 1992 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1997 and DVSc in 2001 from the University of Guelph. His research focuses on dairy cow metabolic and reproductive health and management, precision technologies and antimicrobial stewardship. With graduate students and collaborators, this work has resulted in more than 200 peer-reviewed papers.
Veterinarians and veterinary technicians may earn one Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) credit for attending this DCRC webinar. To learn more about this opportunity, contact JoDee Sattler at: jodee@dcrcouncil.org.
Bird flu vaccine research aims to protect both cattle and farm workers
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have developed a new vaccine approach that shows strong promise in protecting cattle from H5N1 bird flu, a disease that devastated commercial poultry flocks, and two years ago crossed into dairy herds across the United States.
 Bird flu has disrupted agricultural systems globally, leading to the culling of more than 166 million commercial poultry birds in the United States since 2022. In 2024, the virus spread to dairy cattle – an unprecedented interspecies transfer – and subsequently caused illness in about 70 farm workers with close contact to infected animals.
The research, led by virologist Eric Weaver, professor of biological sciences and director of the Nebraska Center for Virology, demonstrated effective protection against severe disease in both dairy calves and laboratory models. The findings suggest the vaccine platform could play a role in safeguarding livestock health at a time when no licensed H5N1 vaccine exists for cattle.
Weaver said the team built on earlier work from his lab when the cattle outbreak began.
“This virus is not going away,” Weaver said in a news release. “Once we saw sustained infection in dairy cattle, it became clear that this was a livestock health issue that needed immediate attention.”
The experimental vaccine platform is designed to protect against multiple H5N1 strains and generate immunity in both the bloodstream and the respiratory tract ‒ two key pathways for limiting disease severity and transmission. In the study, dairy calves were vaccinated at 1 week of age, using a combination of intramuscular and intranasal delivery, followed by a booster dose four weeks later.
“The idea was that if we put it intramuscularly, we can prevent it from spreading in the body, and then a mucosal aspect, intranasally, would prevent it from spreading from animal to animal,” Weaver said.
The vaccinated calves developed strong immune responses without showing signs of severe disease. In additional trials, vaccinated mice were fully protected against lethal infection from several H5N1 strains, according to University of Nebraska officials.
What this means for producers
For dairy and beef producers, disease outbreaks can lead to significant economic losses, animal welfare concerns and operational disruptions. A preventive vaccine option could help reduce those risks while supporting on-farm biosecurity efforts.
Protecting cattle from H5N1 may also reduce opportunities for the virus to adapt and spread across species, benefiting both animal and human health.
“We want a vaccine that works for the farm first,” Weaver said. “If we can protect cattle, we can help protect producers, workers and the food system as a whole.” As animal diseases continue to cross species barriers, Weaver said proactive livestock health research will be critical.
“Historically, influenza viruses evolve when they have sustained contact with new species,” he said. “That makes prevention at the farm level more important than ever.”
Fly control begins before summer pressure peaks
By Taylor Leach, Dairy Herd Management
It usually starts with a few flies around the calf hutches or some extra tail switching in the freestall barn. Then, almost overnight, cows are bunching, calves are irritated and employees are swatting flies left and right.
By the time all of this becomes noticeable, fly populations have often already been building for weeks. Fly control experts say the best chance to stay ahead of pressure is to start managing breeding areas before summer heat and rapid population growth take over.
Small problems turn into big populations fast
Flies reproduce quickly once temperatures rise. According to Roger Moon, professor of entomology at the University of Minnesota, flies can complete a generation every 40 to 60 days during spring weather and as fast as every two weeks during the hottest parts of summer.
That means the bedding pile or leftover feed that seems harmless early in the season can become a major source of fly pressure later in summer. Calf areas are especially vulnerable. Wet bedding, spilled milk replacer, manure and leftover feed create ideal conditions for flies to breed.
“Fibrous plant material enriched with manure, urine and moisture are basically the perfect environment for maggots,” Moon says.
Read the complete Dairy Herd Management article here.
📷Dairy Herd Management
FARM Environmental Stewardship integrates updated RuFaS Model
The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Environmental Stewardship Program released revisions to its Version 3 evaluation tool, integrating the latest scientific updates from the Ruminant Farm Systems (RuFaS) model that powers FARM ES Version 3.
“FARM Environmental Stewardship continues to adapt as science and technology advance within the dairy sector,” said Nicole Ayache, National Milk Producers Federation’s chief sustainability officer. “By integrating the latest model into the evaluation tool, farmers can better understand how practices affect their footprint and identify stewardship opportunities that align with business goals.”
 Using RuFaS means FARM Environmental Stewardship benefits from a model that adapts as technology and scientific knowledge advance. Updating the platform upholds FARM Environmental Stewardship’s commitment to offer the best available scientific methods that work for farms of all sizes, geographies and production styles.
The new release includes features like the integration of homegrown feeds into the total farm footprint to better capture field-level practices. The scientific methodology that underpins the modeling of youngstock manure as well as manure storage have also been improved, with the latter more accurately sensitive to the effects of temperature.
FARM Environmental Stewardship provides a platform built by and for the U.S. dairy community, powered by peer-reviewed, credible science. U.S. dairy farmers are actively involved in shaping the program, unifying industry response to supply chain interests and helping to streamline sustainability measurement into one program. FARM ES showcases the great conservation work dairy farmers have done for generations, while increasingly serving as a gateway for farmers to access supply chain incentive projects and other mechanisms that directly support their stewardship efforts.
To learn more about FARM Environmental Stewardship, visit nationaldairyfarm.com.
NMC seeks Scholar applicants
NMC: The Global Milk Quality Organization (NMC) opened the application system for its Scholars program. This program offers at least four travel scholarships for full-time graduate students interested in controlling mastitis, promoting udder health and improving milk quality. Successful applicants earn an expense-paid trip to attend the NMC 66th Annual Meeting, Jan. 25-28, in Jacksonville, Fla., USA.
To apply for the NMC Scholars program, applicants must complete the application form, submit an  interest statement that details the applicant’s interest in controlling mastitis and improving milk quality, career goals and research project(s), and provide a letter of recommendation. Applicants may also share additional information, such as awards, honors and scholarships received.
At least two NMC Scholars will be graduate students at a university or college outside of the United States and Canada. Eligible candidates must be an NMC member and enrolled full time at a college or university in a dairy, animal or veterinary science, microbiology or related program at the time of application deadline, with an area of interest that includes mastitis control and quality milk production.
The application deadline is July 31. Applicants will be notified by Aug. 31, regarding the selection committee's decision. To learn more about the program and to apply, go to: http://www.nmconline.org/nmc-scholars-program. Selection priority will be given to applicants who have not previously attended an NMC Annual Meeting. Previous NMC Scholars are eligible to apply, but preference will be given to those who have not been previously selected.
The kids are all right – They trust dairy
Consumers continue to maintain high levels of trust in dairy and its industry, according to the latest Consumer Perceptions Tracker from Dairy Management Inc. The tracker, now in its third year, shows the percentage of consumers giving dairy its top two trust ratings (on a 7-point scale) rose to 36% in 2025, one tick up from the previous year.
That’s gratifying, but perhaps not that surprising. But want to see what’s driving it? Look at the overall percentage breakdown by age. Then, look at the teenagers:
The cohort that has the most trust in dairy is… teenagers, with 47% rating dairy a 6 or 7, on the 7-point scale. While it’s true that “6-7” was a viral craze among the young folk in 2025, the evolution toward greater trust among the young folk – those “hepcat whippersnappers,” those “totally rad hipsters” – probably goes deeper than that. Note the three-year trend:
From 33% in 2023, to 41% in 2024, to 47% in 2025, that’s a real move. And it shows a bright future for dairy.
Maybe it’s the cottage cheese craze. Maybe it’s the decline of the plant-based beverages that hoodwinked millennials. Maybe it’s the renaissance of whole milk. Maybe it’s good old-fashioned persuasion, brought to teenagers via their own media channels and supported by dairy farmers and their allies.
For whatever reasons, support for dairy no longer is something that is strongest among the elderly – teenagers have positively Boomer-level respect for what dairy farmers do. That’s where an industry wants to be. That’s where dairy is. To borrow from the pop culture of the Boomers the teens have surpassed, the Kids are Alright – true in 1966 and true in 2026, and the choice of a new generation.
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