Chris Kayton, Michael Ten Clay join CPDA board of directors
The Central Plains Dairy Association (CPDA) welcomed two new leaders to its board of directors following the 2026 Central Plains Dairy Expo – Chris Kayton, Corporate Dairy Team dairy lender with Farm Credit Services of America in Omaha, Neb., and Michael Ten Clay, partner at VB&VV in Orange City, Iowa.
As members of the CPDA board, Kayton and Ten Clay will help guide the association’s mission to strengthen, support and advance the Central Plains dairy industry. Their leadership will play an important role in fostering continued growth, industry relevance and long-term vitality for dairy producers and allied businesses across the region.
Originally from Albion, Neb., Kayton earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an MBA from the University of Texas A&M-Kingsville. A 15-year FCSAmerica veteran, he was first exposed to the dairy industry when he worked as an AgDirect territory manager and partnered with equipment dealers and local Farm Credit associations to finance farm equipment loans in Arizona and southern California. In 2018, Kayton returned to Nebraska and started his current role. His team focuses on providing financing for dairies with 1,500 cows or more. Kayton’s portfolio primarily includes dairies and dairy-related entities along the I-29 Corridor, Nebraska and Texas.
At VB&VV, Ten Clay specializes in serving dairy and feedlot clients, as well as related businesses across the Midwest and Central Plains with their accounting needs. His expertise lies in tax planning and preparation, income and cash flow projections, and financial statement preparation. Ten Clay plays a key role in leading VB&VV’s ag services team, which generates accrual financial statements for clients in the beef, dairy, row crop and swine industries. He is passionate about supporting his clients and enjoys guiding them through ownership changes, expansions and all stages of their business cycles.
The Central Plains Dairy Association extends its sincere appreciation to outgoing board members Michael Reecy and Kari Jungemann for their dedicated service, leadership and commitment to the Central Plains dairy industry. Their contributions helped support CPDA’s mission and provided strategic guidance in growing the Central Plains Dairy Expo event held each March in Sioux Falls, S.D. “We are grateful for their time, insight and lasting impact on the association,” said Renee Brod, CPDE member services director.
Other board members include:
• Tom Walsh, Riverview Dairy
• Evan Grong, Valley Queen Cheese Factory
• Stacie De Groot, Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment Inc.
• Rick Eggebrecht, Novita Nutrition, LLC
• Jennifer Landman, Linde Dairy, LLC
• Erin Marotz, En-Mar Holsteins & TLAY Dairy Video Sales
• Aaron Titterington, Jones Dairy
• Barry Visser, Vita Plus
“The CPDA board of directors is a highly professional board with dairy industry views from producers, processors and industry collaborators,” stated Brod. “They are very engaged, collaborative and dedicated to seeing dairy in the Central Plains grow and be successful as we look ahead to the next Central Plains Dairy Expo, March 23-25, 2027.”
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Fire safety on the dairy farm: What every worker should know
By Angelica Leon Quiroga, South Dakota State University, Noelia Silva del Rio, University of California-Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, and Maristela Rovai, South Dakota State University
A fire can start in seconds. Among the most common causes are cigarettes dropped on straw, a frayed wire behind the milking parlor or a pile of damp hay that heats from the inside. On a farm, dry feed, fuel, machinery and electrical equipment are often close together, so a small spark can quickly become an emergency. The good news is that many farm fires can be prevented. Learn to recognize warning signs, report hazards and know what to do if a fire occurs. Know the three kinds of fire
Not all fires are the same and reacting the wrong way can make things worse. On a farm, there are three main types you are likely to face: An “ABC” extinguisher works on all three types and is the safest, simplest choice to keep on hand around the farm.
Seguridad contra incendios en la granja lechera: Lo que todo trabajador debe saber
Por Angelica Leon Quiroga, South Dakota State University, Noelia Silva del Rio, University of California-Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, and Maristela Rovai, South Dakota State University
Un incendio puede comenzar en segundos. Entre las causas más comunes están un cigarrillo tirado sobre la paja, un cable desgastado detrás de la sala de ordeño o un montón de heno húmedo que se calienta desde el interior. En una granja, el alimento seco, el combustible, la maquinaria y el equipo eléctrico suelen estar cerca, por lo que una pequeña chispa puede convertirse rápidamente en una emergencia. La buena noticia es que muchos incendios en granja se pueden prevenir. Aprende a reconocer señales de advertencia, reportar riesgos y saber qué hacer si ocurre un incendio. Conoce los tres tipos de incendios:
No todos los incendios son iguales, y reaccionar de forma incorrecta puede empeorar la situación. En una granja, hay tres tipos principales a los que es probable que te enfrentes: Un extintor ‘ABC’ funciona para los tres tipos y es la opción más segura y sencilla de tener a mano en la granja.
DCRC’s Portuguese webinar features metritis prevention, economic impact
“Metritis: Prevalence, economic impact, and prevention in dairy herds” (Metrite: prevalencia, impacto economico e prevencao em rebanhos leiteiros), presented in Portuguese, is the featured topic for the next Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) webinar. The free webinar starts at 2 p.m. Central time (Chicago time) on July 8. Klibs N. Galvão, University of Florida, will serve as the instructor for this one-hour webinar.
Metritis is highly prevalent and typically treated with antibiotics. When making antibiotic treatment decisions, consider cow welfare, increased antimicrobial resistance, and the economic impact of not treating the cow. Treatment with antibiotics increases the cure rate; therefore, considering the welfare of cows diagnosed with metritis, the increase in cure rate alone might justify antibiotic treatment. However, metritis has a high self-cure rate. Thus, leaving cows untreated at the time of metritis diagnosis and only treating those that do not self-cure or present worsening of clinical signs might slow the development of antimicrobial resistance. Looking at the economic impact, antibiotic treatment resulted in decreased metritis-related costs, mostly due to reduced milk losses.
Galvão is a professor of food animal reproduction and medicine in the department of large animal clinical sciences at the University of Florida. He completed a residency in dairy production medicine and a master’s degree in preventive veterinary medicine at the University of California-Davis, and then earned a PhD in reproductive physiology at Cornell University. Galvão’s research focuses on uterine immunology and microbiology in health and disease, epidemiological investigation of the risk factors for uterine disease, development of therapeutics for prevention and treatment of uterine disease, and the use of herd simulation models and budget impact analysis to understand how uterine disease and impaired fertility affect the profitability of dairy herds.
I-29 Moo University’s July 16 webinar focuses on BXD market outlook
You’re invited to attend I-29 Moo University’s July 16 webinar, which starts at 12 p.m. Central time. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University, will discuss the current cattle supply and demand fundamentals and expectations for prices, production and cattle inventories for 2026 and beyond, with a special focus on the beef x dairy aspect of the market.
There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour prior to the webinar. Register online at: https://go.iastate.edu/VDNNYU.
The Charles Breedlove Professor of Agribusiness in the department of agricultural economics, Peel has served as the extension livestock marketing specialist since 1989. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Montana State University and a PhD from the University of Illinois. Previously, Peel served as the superintendent of the Southeastern Colorado Range Research Station in Springfield, Colo. His main program areas at Oklahoma State University include livestock market outlook and marketing/risk management education for livestock producers.
National FARM calls for award nominations
The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program is accepting nominations for its annual FARM Excellence Awards, recognizing U.S. dairy industry achievements in adopting and improving on-farm practices. Awards are divided into four categories: Animal Care & Antibiotic Stewardship, Environmental Stewardship, Workforce Development and FARM Evaluator of the Year.
“The FARM Program relies on farmers and FARM evaluators to advance the program’s mission of continuous improvement” said National Milk Producers Federation Chief Veterinary Officer Meggan Hain. “These awards honor participants who embody FARM Program values through their commitment to excellence.”
Nominations are open until 11:59 p.m. Pacific time, Aug. 3, via the online form. Nominations are accepted from fellow dairy farmers, members of their community, extension staff, cooperative or processor staff, veterinarians or themselves.
Nominated farms must have a current FARM Program evaluation in the relevant category and be in good standing with the program. Evaluators nominated must be FARM Program certified in at least one program area as of June 1. Nominees must be willing to have their names and images used in promotional materials should they receive an award.
Winners will receive travel and hotel accommodations for two individuals to attend the Dairy Joint Annual Meeting, Oct. 19-21, in Kissimmee, Fla., where awards will be presented during a special luncheon. Visit the FARM Excellence Awards page for more details.
DBIA provides $2.9 million in Dairy Business Builder grants
The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), a partnership between the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), announced a new infusion of $2.9 million in Dairy Business Builder grants to 28 dairy businesses. More than half of the recipients are farmstead businesses and 64% are receiving grant funds for the first time, highlighting DBIA’s focus on nurturing a diverse array of small and medium-sized enterprises.
DBIA’s grant programs advance the organization’s mission to support small and mid-size dairy processors across its 11-state service area of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The Dairy Business Builder grant program supports projects designed to diversify on-farm activity, create value-added products, enhance dairy byproducts or create or expand export programs.
Find the complete list of this round’s recipients here.
Bomaz, Shadycrest, Jagiello win 4-state production awards
The Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference named Bomaz Farms, Hammond, Wis., Shadycrest Holstein, Utica/Altura, Minn., and Jagiello Dairy Farm, Lena, Wis., as recipients of the 2025 High Production Herd Award for top combined fat + protein production.
These dairy operations averaged 8.25 pounds (Bomaz), 8.10 pounds (Shadycrest) and 7.91 pounds (Jagiello) of combined fat and protein shipped per cow in 2025, qualifying them for the elite 7+ pound club.
The winners shared an overview of their farms and the specific management practices that drove their success, followed by a conference Q&A discussion on their operations and practices.
Bomaz Farms is a multi-generational Zwald/Schalla family operation, which milks about 1,700 Registered Holsteins on 2,200-plus acres. The dairy features a 40-stall rotary parlor, sand-bedded freestalls and elite quality home-raised forages in a total mixed ration. Bomaz has been Recognized for elite genetics – winning multiple Herd of Excellence awards and 2023 Elite Breeder honors from Holstein Association USA.
Shadycrest Holsteins, owned by the Scott and Michelle Herber family, along with their son Ross and key herdspeople, milks about 700 Holsteins. Noted for exceptional cow longevity‚ they have 12 cows ranked in the 2025 Minnesota DHIA top-200 lifetime production, including one at 342,548 pounds of milk and 15,695 pounds of fat lifetime. Shadycrest places a strong focus on low somatic cell count, sand-bedded freestalls, older-cow grouping and precise prefresh nutrition.
Jagiello Dairy Farm, a fifth-generation farm, is owned by the Jagiello/Wagner family. Established in 1907, the family milks about 800 cows and crops 3,500 acres. They recently finished a new sand-bedded barn upgraded with advanced ventilation, sprinklers and comfort features. In addition, they use activity collars and precision feeding tools. The Jagiellos and Wagners emphasize family succession and efficiency.
“These operations show how focusing on an excellent nutrition program, cow comfort and elite management drive high-component yields and profitability,” said James Salfer, conference chair.
The 2026 Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference was held June 3-4, in La Crosse, Wis. For more information, visit: fourstatedairy.org. This conference is a collaborative effort of Iowa State University Extension, University of Illinois Extension, University of Minnesota Extension and University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Beef-on-Dairy Carcass Size
By Taylor Leach, Dairy Herd Management
Beef-on-dairy cattle are getting bigger and more valuable, but the industry’s push for heavier carcasses is creating a balancing act between profitability, cattle health and steaks consumers still want to put on the grill.
The beef industry continues pushing cattle to heavier weights, and according to Warren Rusche, extension beef feedlot specialist at South Dakota State University, the reason comes down to economics.
During a Beef-on-Dairy Dialogue webinar presented by I-29 Moo University, Rusche explained that feedyards are adding more pounds because it is one of the few ways to stay profitable with today’s historically high feeder cattle prices. Using U.S. Department of Agriculture data dating back to the 1960s, he pointed out that average carcass weights have increased by roughly 4.5 pounds per year.
“This is maybe as consistent of a trend in the beef business as any,” he says. “We have continuously increased the size of the carcasses that we’re selling.”
Rusche says the economic incentive behind heavier cattle is straightforward. Feedyards are paying more for calves and adding extra weight helps spread those costs over additional pounds of beef.
Drug Residue Prevention Manual offers best management practices
The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program released its 2026-2027 Milk & Dairy Beef Drug Residue Prevention Reference Manual, equipping farmers with an educational tool that promotes best management practices for responsible and judicious use of antimicrobials in dairy cattle.
The updated manual has timely information about the FDA’s conditionally approved and emergency use authorizations of drugs to combat New World screwworm. It also includes the Food and Drug Administration’s Guidance for Industry No. 273: “Defining Durations of Use for Approved Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs Fed to Food-Producing Animals” (GFI No. 273), finalized and announced in February.
“The U.S. dairy industry is committed to antibiotic stewardship and judicious use of all medications used for dairy cattle,” said Jamie Jonker, National Milk Producers Federation’s chief science officer. “The Drug Residue Prevention Manual continues to be a trusted resource for dairy farmers when making educated choices with their veterinarians to care for their animals.”
When dairy animals get sick or injured, and treatment is necessary, producers and veterinarians use antibiotics and other drugs prudently. The manual serves as a resource for producers and veterinarians, and includes information on:
Residue prevention best practices
Record keeping and herd health
Drug administration
Culling of animals
Residue testing
Drug classes
Approved drugs and screening tests
The manual is available for download on the FARM Program website. Through educational resources and training, the FARM Program advances its mission of fostering a culture of continuous improvement by demonstrating U.S. dairy farmers are committed to producing high-quality, safe milk with integrity.
Iowa dairy farms, businesses receive $614,000 from Choose Iowa grants
By Kadin, Luhmann, Iowa Capital Dispatch
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that 11 of the state’s dairy farms and businesses have received funding from the Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grant Program administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
Naig made the announcement during a Dairy Month visit to Gav-n-view Farm near Lansing. The program provides up to $100,000 in cost-share funding to assist Iowa dairy farmers in reducing labor and increasing on-farm production, according to IDALS.
“These grants help dairy farmers add value to what they already do so well by expanding processing capacity, developing new products and adopting technologies that improve efficiency,” Naig said in a news release. “The result is more fresh, wholesome and nutritious Iowa-made dairy products on store shelves, stronger farm businesses and more dollars staying in local communities.”
To read the complete Iowa Capital Dispatch article, click here.
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.
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.
QualiTru Sampling Systems launches customized food safety, quality training program
QualiTru Sampling Systems, formerly known as QMI, introduced a new Technical Services Educational Training (TSET) program. The program provides practical, industry-focused, expert-led training for employees at all levels in the commercial dairy processing industries. Curricula will support companies’ food safety, regulatory compliance and audit readiness while helping teams improve plant performance and prevent costly issues from impacting product quality.
“For more than 40 years, QualiTru has helped ensure consumer safety and product quality through our pioneering liquid sampling solutions for the dairy, beverage and liquid food industries. We are now demonstrating our extension of that commitment with our new TSET Program, which was designed to provide critical resources and information to help our customers address some of their most significant labor and workforce challenges,” said David Roesser, QualiTru’s chief executive officer.
According to the National Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program, workforce issues represent a long-term barrier to success. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects significant shortfalls of trained workers in the agricultural and food processing industries over the next several years. The industry, which is already dealing with an employee turnover rate estimated at 38% annually, finds its challenges compounded by the effects of an aging workforce. This has led to the loss of more senior employees to retirement, as well as difficulty attracting new employees to the field.
The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program updated its Secure Milk Supply (SMS) Plan, website and resources that ensure the health and well-being of dairy cattle and preserve the economic viability of dairy businesses.
“It was a great opportunity to collaborate with other farmers, processors, veterinarians and state and federal officials to update the SMS Plan for our evolving dairy industry,” said Tom Walsh, a dairy farmer from Minnesota and Central Plains Dairy Association president. “We put together many commonsense resources to protect our animals and consumers while still milking healthy cows and moving healthy animals.”
Updates include expansion of the SMS Plan for Continuity of Business for use beyond foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) to include similar contagious diseases like H5N1, resources for producers, cooperatives and processors, as well as updated movement permit guidance that includes raw milk for animal feed and more.
The dairy industry and animal disease threats have changed since the SMS Plan was first created in 2017. Craig McConnel, Washington State University extension veterinarian, shared, “This experience opened my eyes to the practical considerations needed to create applicable plans for a broad range of dairy enterprises. I respect all the thought and discussion to create a flexible yet thorough enhanced biosecurity template for FMD, H5N1 or future disease challenges.”
An SMS technical committee comprised of dairy producers like Walsh, cooperatives, processors, extension veterinarians like McConnel, academicians and state and federal animal health officials met monthly from February 2025 to January 2026 to review stakeholder input and guide the updates to the SMS Plan.
An updated draft plan was presented in a national stakeholder webinar and FARM captured stakeholder feedback last November through a public comment period before the technical committee finalized the updated plan in February.
The new SMS website was reorganized based on stakeholder input – making it easier to find resources to prepare for an outbreak. The website overhaul was executed by Iowa State University’s Center for Food Security and Public Health and Danelle Bickett-Weddle of Preventalytics, with support from the National Dairy FARM Program.
Originally from Albion, Neb., Kayton earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an MBA from the University of Texas A&M-Kingsville. A 15-year FCSAmerica veteran, he was first exposed to the dairy industry when he worked as an AgDirect territory manager and partnered with equipment dealers and local Farm Credit associations to finance farm equipment loans in Arizona and southern California. In 2018, Kayton returned to Nebraska and started his current role. His team focuses on providing financing for dairies with 1,500 cows or more. Kayton’s portfolio primarily includes dairies and dairy-related entities along the I-29 Corridor, Nebraska and Texas.
businesses across the Midwest and Central Plains with their accounting needs. His expertise lies in tax planning and preparation, income and cash flow projections, and financial statement preparation. Ten Clay plays a key role in leading VB&VV’s ag services team, which generates accrual financial statements for clients in the beef, dairy, row crop and swine industries. He is passionate about supporting his clients and enjoys guiding them through ownership changes, expansions and all stages of their business cycles.
Un extintor ‘ABC’ funciona para los tres tipos y es la opción más segura y sencilla de tener a mano en la granja.
To register for this webinar, go to: 
“The FARM Program relies on farmers and FARM evaluators to advance the program’s mission of continuous improvement” said National Milk Producers Federation Chief Veterinary Officer Meggan Hain. “These awards honor participants who embody FARM Program values through their commitment to excellence.”
Registered Holsteins on 2,200-plus acres. The dairy features a 40-stall rotary parlor, sand-bedded freestalls and elite quality home-raised forages in a total mixed ration. Bomaz has been Recognized for elite genetics – winning multiple Herd of Excellence awards and 2023 Elite Breeder honors from Holstein Association USA.
To register for this DCRC webinar, go to: 
our pioneering liquid sampling solutions for the dairy, beverage and liquid food industries. We are now demonstrating our extension of that commitment with our new TSET Program, which was designed to provide critical resources and information to help our customers address some of their most significant labor and workforce challenges,” said David Roesser, QualiTru’s chief executive officer.
