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A life story with a lesson: Roozeboom inspires through persistence, compassion
By Sarah Middendorf, Dairy Star
From a farming family to a pastoral calling, Rob Roozeboom has conquered and learned many things throughout his life. Roozeboom spoke during the prayer breakfast on March 26 at Central Plains Dairy Expo. 
“I never had a dream of running a ministry; I had a dream of being a farmer,” said Roozeboom, founder of Rise Ministries and RiseFest.
At 5 years old, Roozeboom was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. He was raised with the belief that the harder you try, the better you will become.
“What I didn’t understand is that I can’t (physically), because I can’t beat (muscular dystrophy),” Roozeboom said.
Until Roozeboom was 9 years old, he was raised on his family’s farm. At that time his dad felt a calling to become a pastor, so they moved into the city to start this chapter.
“What a weird transition — from a farmer to a pastor,” Roozeboom said. “The journey began. I lost the farm, what I loved most in life, and all of a sudden, I started realizing that God will take what I love most.”
Click here to read the full Dairy Star article.
CPDF awards scholarships exceeding $15,000
With an increased focus on investing in higher education, the Central Plains Dairy Foundation (CPDF) named four scholarship winners – up from one in previous years. Ashley Brandel, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and Benjamin Styer and Rachel Visser, both studying at the University of Minnesota, each earned $5,000 CPDF scholarships. Paige Bunn, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, received the $500 Tonneson Scholarship. The CPDF scholarships go to students who have completed at least one semester of post-secondary education and are pursuing a degree in agriculture, with an emphasis in the dairy industry. Annually, the Tonneson scholarship goes to a student who has successfully completed at least one semester enrolled in a post-secondary college or university, pursuing a degree in agriculture with emphasis in ag communication and/or leadership. For these scholarships, preference is given to applicants in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
“This is an exciting time for the Central Plains Dairy Foundation,” stated Renee Brod, CPDF member services director. “For the first time in the foundation’s 10-year history, we awarded $5,000 scholarships. Support for the dairy industry’s future is astonishing in the Central Plains.”
Brandel, a dairy science major, is involved in UW-Platteville's Collegiate Farm Bureau and Pioneer Dairy Club. With a deep interest in dairy cattle reproduction and genetics, her goal is to develop and raise dairy cattle that thrive in commercial settings without compromising type. Brandel was named a National Junior Holstein Young Distinguished Junior Member and received the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Distinguished Junior Member Award. She served on the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Activities Committee and as the Lake Mills FFA vice president and sentinel, South Side Eagles 4-H Club reporter, secretary and vice president, and Jefferson County 4-H dairy youth leader.
Styer, an animal science major, grew up on his family’s 2,200-cow dairy farm and completed internships with ABS Global and an on-farm creamery. His collegiate leadership positions included Gopher Dairy Club vice president and Alpha Gamma Rho president. Styer competed in Dairy Judging and Dairy Challenge. His University of Minnesota Dairy Judging Team won the National Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest and he placed first individual overall. For Wisconsin FFA, Styer served as State FFA President and State Vice President. After graduation, he plans to explore a dairy genetics career, with the long-term goal of returning to his family’s farm.
Visser, who is studying agricultural and food business management, and agricultural communications and marketing, is the current Princess Kay of the Milky Way. In college, she served as the Gopher Dairy Club Website co-chair, Agricultural Business Club president and Beta of Clovia Sorority chaplain. Additionally, Visser was a member of the University of Minnesota Dairy Judging Team. As part of her higher education, she is researching supply determinants on dairy farms and understanding Federal Milk Marketing Orders. For the Minnesota Junior Holstein Association, Visser served as treasurer. In FFA, she was the Region V FFA Officer.
From 2023-24, Bunn served as a Nebraska State FFA Officer and facilitated leadership workshops and experiences for middle and high school FFA members, along with traveling across the state, nation and Australia. Additionally, she carried out professional-level conversations with agricultural business and industry leaders. An avid equestrian, she serves on the Nebraska Pinto Association board of directors and coordinates fundraising for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Equestrian Team. Her high school class valedictorian, she held leadership roles in National Honor Society and 4-H.
Get ready for ‘Grazing on the Greens’
Are you looking for a good reason to go golfing? Then sign up for the 2025 Central Plains Dairy Foundation (CPDF) Golf Tournament – Grazing on the Greens – scheduled for July 30, at Rocky Run Golf Course in Dell Rapids, S.D. To register, go to: https://www.centralplainsdairy.com/golf-outing.
Proceeds from this event go to CPDF, which supports tomorrow’s dairy leaders today through an endowment fund. CPDF provides scholarships and educational grant programming, initiatives that promote resiliency and sustainability in the dairy industry, and grants for innovative programs, communications and community development. 
Sponsorship opportunities, such as holes, pin prizes and dinner sponsors, are available for this year’s Grazing on the Greens. Go to: https://www.centralplainsdairy.com/golf-outing to learn more about how you can maximize sponsorship opportunities and capitalize on this incredible networking event.
For more information, contact Renee Brod, CPDA member services director, at: renee@centralplainsdairyexpo.com.
May 8 webinar features vaccine for avian influenza in dairy cattle
The next I-29 Moo University webinar – set for May 8, starting at noon Central time – will focus on avian  influenza vaccine development. Alan Young will serve as the presenter for this one-hour webinar.
Young founded VST/Medgene Labs to develop new vaccine and diagnostic tools for human and veterinary medicine. He will discuss how Medgene’s platform is being applied toward a vaccine for avian influenza in dairy cattle.
The webinar is free. However, registration is required by at least 11 a.m. Central time on May 8.
Click here to register.
Register for the Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference
The Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference, set for June 11-12, in La Crosse, Wis., features the latest research on dairy cattle nutrition and management. This conference is a collaborative effort of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, University of Illinois Extension, University of Minnesota Extension and University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Find out more about this year’s topics, presenters and registration here. Registration fees increase May 25.
Dairy’s Foundation seeks grant requests
Dairy’s Foundation is taking applications for the next round of grant requests to support new programs in the dairy industry. The application deadline is June 1. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to programs that build the skills of students or dairy producers, or increase public trust in the people and products of dairy. These grants are available to organizations across the country.
 “Dairy’s Foundation is excited to support new programs that strengthen the industry, share our story and improve skills of dairy farmers,” said Brian Forrest, a dairy producer from Stratford, Wis., and chair of Dairy’s Foundation board of directors. “These initiatives are critical to the future of our industry, communities and food chain.”
A public-held national foundation supporting dairy education and initiatives across the entire dairy industry food chain, Dairy’s Foundation strives to identify emerging educational needs and help fill gaps in funding for new or innovative programs. Since 2010, Dairy’s Foundation has awarded more than $350,000 in grants to support vital programs that equip the dairy community with the latest tools and resources to be effective managers, leaders and ambassadors of dairy to their neighbors in rural and urban settings.
Applications will be reviewed by an independent grant-selection committee. Organizations with a tax status of 501(c)(3) or (5) may apply.
Complete grant information is available here. Inquiries about Dairy’s Foundation grants can be sent to: info@dairyfoundation.org.
South Dakota seeks Century Farm applicants
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) will recognize long-standing South Dakota family farms and ranches through the Century Farm and Ranch program at this year’s South Dakota State Fair. To qualify for the program, the applicant(s) must have retained continuous ownership of at least 80 acres of the original farmland for 100 years or more. If family ownership has reached 125 or 150 years, families may apply for recognition as a Quasquicentennial or a Sesquicentennial farm or ranch. Documentation of the original date of purchase must be included with the application.
Century Farm and Ranch program application forms are available here. Or, call SDFB at: 605-353-8050 to receive an application form. The application deadline is Aug. 1.
Secure a dairy ambassador for upcoming events
Did you know you can request a dairy ambassador for your next event? Dairy ambassadors are a great resource and Iowa has five ambassadors who can travel to in-state events.
Dairy princess programs provide a way to get young women involved in the dairy community and also creates dairy advocates. Dairy princesses represent dairy farmers in their respective states and attend numerous events with the goal of connecting with consumers.
The crown and banner worn by a dairy princess make it easy for the public to identify who she is and what she represents. Learn more about the princess programs supported by the Midwest Dairy Association in Iowa and Minnesota. Request a dairy princess visit here.
Alexis Hoefs, Hannah Scott gain Holstein Association USA recognition
Holstein Association USA announced its 2025 Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) Semifinalists and 2025 Young Distinguished Junior Member (YDJM) Finalists. The Distinguished Junior Member award is the highest achievement for National Junior Holstein Association members. Established in 1922, it’s the longest-running Holstein Youth Program and recognizes the commitment of Junior members to the Holstein breed, the dairy industry and other agricultural related activities.
 Ten young adults, 17 to 20 years old, were selected as semifinalists. Among the semifinalists is Alexis Hoefs, New Prague, Minn. The DJM semifinalists will be interviewed and recognized during the National Holstein Convention being held June 23-26, in Saint Louis, Mo. The DJM finalists will be announced during the Junior Awards Breakfast on June 26.
Eight finalists will also be recognized with Holstein Association USA’s YDJM award. The YDJM recognition honors youth, 9 to 16 years old, who demonstrate a firsthand working knowledge of the dairy industry. Among the 2025 Young Distinguished Junior Member Finalists is Hannah Scott, Westgate, Iowa.
To learn more about the 2025 National Holstein Convention, visit www.holsteinconvention.com. For more information about the DJM and YDJM contests, or other Holstein youth programs, visit www.holsteinusa.com/juniors/index.jsp or contact Kelli Dunklee at: 800-952-5200, ext. 4124 or kdunklee@holstein.com.
Midwest Dairy publishes annual report
“Collaboration is key to maximizing our investment,” said Charles Krause, Midwest Dairy board chair. “The Midwest Dairy Annual Report includes results of programs and activations that show how our checkoff contributions were invested to drive the industry forward.”
Here’s the scoop:
- 13.5 million incremental pounds of milk sold in 2024
- 134 Undeniably Dairy grants totaling more than $348,000 were awarded
- Influencer work resulted in 19,030,021 impressions, 3,950,570 reached and 172,570 engagements
- Partnered with three of the top Midwest pizza companies – Marcos Pizza, Pizza Ranch and Godfather’s
Building trust
With 92.9% of Americans using social networks at least monthly, according to GWI, TikTok and Instagram are  key tools to share the dairy story. Online influencer partnerships were expanded in 2024 to reach Gen Z and adult consumers, and promote dairy products and experiences.
Influencers were engaged for campaigns including “Cheesy Season” holidays, dairy’s vital role in the first 1,000 days of life, animal care and sustainability.
What they’re saying: Newlywed influencers shared a *heated* cheese pull competition. Medical experts posted a video to highlight how dairy supports healthy bones, teeth and overall growth in young children, which was reshared by parent influencers. Other influencers shared dairy recipes and day-in-the-life recaps that had a measurable, positive impact on perceptions of dairy animals being treated humanely and view of dairy farmers as environmentally friendly. These campaigns resulted in more than 18.21 million impressions.
Increasing sales
Americans love pizza… so much so that it ranks among the top five most-ordered menu items and a quarter of consumers eat pizza more than twice a week. Why it matters: What’s pizza without cheese? Pizza restaurants use more cheese than any other type of food establishment and present an opportunity for incremental sales. The bottom line: Pizza partnerships drove an additional 3,465,440 pounds of milk sold.
Advancing research
Advancing dairy research is a key dairy checkoff strategy. Midwest Dairy partnered with The Hatchery in Chicago and No More Empty Pots in Omaha to support entrepreneurs who value dairy products in their ingredients through pitch competitions. Businesses such as Crafian Artisanal Toffee, Dundee Popcorn and Coffee Alley developed products using 30% dairy ingredients with no alternative dairy products.
The impact: Consumers are seeking new ways to enjoy dairy and the resulting products get dairy in front of consumers in fresh and exciting ways.
A new grant-writing support program was launched to help farmers find opportunities and secure funds for on-farm projects. Midwest Dairy partnered with Lasso, a platform that works as a grant-writer handyman for farmers.
Zoom in: Compass Rose Creamery is one grant recipient that used the Lasso program. Jill Nelson and her family farm were looking to expand and diversify by adding value through dairy processing. The financial risk was high, but grant funding made the next step possible. The Creamery was awarded the Dairy Business Builder and AGRI Value-Add grants that enabled their entry into cheesemaking.
Click here to find the full 2024 Midwest Dairy Annual Report.
Healthy calves, strong future
By Jennifer Bentley, Extension Dairy Specialist, Northeast Iowa
Calf diarrhea, or scours, is one of the most common and costly health challenges in young calves. Scours can lead to dehydration, reduced growth rates and even death if not properly managed. Diarrhea is often caused by a combination of infectious agents, environmental stressors and inadequate colostrum intake, which weakens the calf’s immune response. Effective prevention and management strategies, including proper nutrition, hygiene and early intervention, are essential to reducing the impact of scours on calf health and farm profitability.
This article explores key risk factors, treatment approaches and best management practices to help producers minimize the effects of diarrhea in their herds.
5 must-do steps for raising healthy beef-on-dairy calves before they leave the farm
By Taylor Leach, Dairy Herd Management
With beef-on-dairy calves in high demand and day-old prices sky high, ensuring these crossbred calves get off to the best possible start has become a must for dairy producers. Not only does proper care improve calf health, but it also maximizes their market value and long-term performance. During the I-29 Moo University Dairy Beef Short Course, Gail Carpenter, state dairy extension specialist and assistant professor at Iowa State University, says those first few days are make-or-break for setting these calves up for success.
Click here to discover Carpenter’s top five priorities.
UMASH offers HPAI toolkit
While the current risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) to the public is low, those who handle or care for infected animals, like poultry or cattle, could be at risk of getting sick.
 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or “bird flu,” is a severe and contagious disease in birds. Often spread by wild species like ducks and geese, it is caused by avian influenza A viruses. When spread to domestic poultry, such as chickens and turkeys, it can be deadly, sometimes wiping out entire flocks within days. Outbreaks often result in culling flocks, loss of income and significant physical and mental stress for farmers and workers. HPAI requires a rapid response to keep the virus from spreading between flocks and farms.
H5N1 bird flu virus, known for causing HPAI, has been causing illness and death in wild birds, commercial poultry and backyard flocks in the United States since 2022. Just over a year ago, the virus infected dairy cattle for the first time and has since spread to cattle in multiple U.S. states. This virus has also been found in other mammals, including cats.
Since March 2024, 70 human cases of influenza A (H5) have been confirmed, involving dairy and poultry workers exposed to infected animals. However, there currently is no evidence of human-to-human spread.
The commercial, pasteurized dairy supply remains safe and risk to the public remains low. However, at-risk individuals, like workers handling sick animals, can take steps to protect themselves.
To learn more, click here.
AURI releases market assessment on A2 milk in Minnesota
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute’s (AURI) Agricultural Innovation Center, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program, released an A2 Milk Market Assessment. The report discusses A2 milk trends in Minnesota and is free to view on AURI’s website.
“AURI recognized growing interest from dairy farmers in A2 genetics. We decided to examine market information  around this topic and make data available to dairy producers to help make informed choices,” said Sanchez Philocles, an AURI market research analyst.
A2 is one of two common forms of beta-casein, a protein component in milk. Although most milk is a mix of both A1 and A2 beta caseins, there has been a recent trend to breed cows to produce milk with only A2 beta casein because of anecdotal information that points to A2 milk being more gut friendly.
The report assesses two aspects of A2 milk: supply at the dairy farm level and demand in the retail case.
Regarding the supply of A2 milk, the study uses data from a 2024 survey distributed to Minnesota dairy farmers and public information from genetics companies and the dairy industry.
Key findings on the supply of A2 milk include:
- 44% of dairy farmer survey respondents have converted cows to A2 genetics, among which 35% have begun to convert and 9% have completed the conversion process.
- Of those that have converted their herds, 82% have done so because of perceived consumer interest.
- A 2023 study of one dairy genetics cooperative showed that 70% of a Holstein bull lineup that prioritized A2 milk production saw little impact on other genetic traits.
On the demand side, AURI interviewed retailers about their experience with A2 products and analyzed retail sales data of A2 products, including fluid milk, yogurt, ice cream, cheese and sour cream. The data covered retail stores in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Key findings on the demand for A2 milk include:
- The A2 market consists of multiple local, national and international brands selling A2 dairy products.
- From 2022 to 2024, sales of all A2 dairy products increased.
After analyzing the study’s data, AURI offers these key takeaways:
- The number of cows that will be converted to A2 genetics in Minnesota in the next five years will likely increase.
- Dairy farmer survey respondents see A2 milk as a trending market opportunity, even without receiving a premium price.
- Dairy processors in Minnesota have not driven dairy farmer interest in A2 milk.
- In retail, A2 fluid milk is the largest sales category, but growth rate is slower compared to other A2 dairy products like yogurt and ice cream.
- Data indicate future growth potential across all A2 milk product categories.
To read or download the full A2 Milk Market Assessment report, click here.
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