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Plan to attend the 2025 Central Plains Dairy Expo
This year’s Central Plains Dairy Expo (CPDE), set for March 25-27, at the Denny Sanford Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., features “everything dairy” through nearly 300 exhibitors and their innovative products, services and technologies. Plus, visitors may choose from 78 informative breakout sessions, including eight presented in Spanish, and free entertainment.
CPDE kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on March 25, with the Welcome Reception – featuring RaeLynn, bringing her signature charm and chart-topping songs to the stage. RaeLynn will hit the stage at approximately 7 p.m. You won’t want to miss this heralded event! The free and entertaining kick-off reception runs until 9 p.m.
“This year's Expo promises to be one of the most exciting yet, as we come together to celebrate the strength and innovation of the dairy industry,” said Tom Walsh, Central Plains Dairy Association president. “We are living in a time of change – changes in consumer demand, advancements in technology and evolving regulations. But one thing remains constant: the determination and resilience of dairy farmers.”
Once again, this year’s Expo offers the “Ed (Education) Shed,” found in the Arena. Select exhibitors will introduce new products, share new service and product features, and demonstrate product benefits and ease of use.
Starting at 7 a.m. on March 26, attend the inspiring Prayer Breakfast – featuring Rob Roozeboom – a Jesus-follower, husband, dad, evangelist, speaker, podcaster and author. He’ll share his broken – still chosen – journey. Roozeboom strives to inspire people to find hope and worth amidst brokenness.
CPDE also offers several complimentary items and events, including educational breakout sessions, which cover topics ranging from commodity price risk management to milking system options to calf health strategies to genetic advancements. Visitors may also enjoy free doughnuts, grilled cheese sandwiches, ice cream novelties, cheese and wine. And, you won’t want to miss the free Pancake Breakfast on March 27, from 8-10 a.m.
To ensure a seamless experience, register for CPDE before heading to Sioux Falls. Register online at: https://www.centralplainsdairy.com/registration. Plus, download the CPDE app so you don’t miss events and exciting offers available at CPDE. This event remains a free trade show for producers, but registration is required.
For more information about CPDE, visit https://www.centralplainsdairy.com.
English
The importance of my job in the sustainability of the dairy industry
By Sebastián E. Mejía Turcios and Jorge Delgado
 Sustainability seems to be the buzzword, especially in the agriculture industry. You may have heard this word from your employer, your supervisor, a colleague, or you have seen it in an advertisement on the wall. Everywhere we look, there is some activity, product, project, etc. attached to the word “sustainability.” While some would think it’s the overuse of a catchy word, it really makes you wonder if it’s a marketing tool or if we’re really contributing to sustainable agriculture. It’s a fair question, to be honest. But the most important question is, what does sustainability mean?
It may be hard to believe, but there was a time when the word sustainability wasn’t as popular
as it is today. In fact, there are no books in the English language before 1970 that mention the word “sustainable” or “sustainability” in their text. It’s only recently that this very popular term has begun to be used in almost every aspect of our lives. And while the implications of the word may vary depending on the field in which it’s used, its core definition simply revolves around meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In fact, the first definitions denote that sustainable agriculture includes the management of procedures related to natural processes to conserve all resources. All this was done with the aim of minimizing waste and environmental impact, preventing problems and promoting the preservation of ecosystems and the evolution and sustained production for the nutrition and satisfaction of all. Simple, right?… Maybe not.
Read the full article here.
Spanish
La importancia de mi trabajo en la sostenibilidad de la industria lechera
Por Sebastián E. Mejía Turcios and Jorge Delgado
La sostenibilidad parece ser la palabra de moda, especialmente en la industria agrícola. Es posible que haya escuchado esta palabra a su patrón, a su supervisor, a un colega, o lo ha visto en un anuncio en la pared. Dondequiera que miremos, hay alguna actividad, producto, proyecto, etc. unido a la palabra “sostenibilidad.” Si bien algunos pensarían que es el uso excesivo de una palabra atractiva, realmente le hace preguntar si es una herramienta de mercadeo o si realmente estamos contribuyendo a la agricultura sostenible. Una pregunta justa, para ser honestos. Pero la pregunta
mas importante es, ¿Que significa la sostenibilidad?
Tal vez sea difícil de creerlo ahora, pero hubo un tiempo en que la palabra sostenibilidad no era tan popular como lo es hoy. De hecho, no hay ningún libro en lengua inglesa antes del año 1970 que mencione la palabra “sostenible” o “sostenibilidad” en su texto. Es solo recientemente que este término tan popular ha comenzado a usarse en casi todos los aspectos de nuestras vidas, y aunque las implicaciones de la palabra pueden variar según el campo en el que utilice,
su definición central simplemente gira en torno a satisfacer las necesidades del presente sin comprometer la capacidad de las generaciones futuras para satisfacer sus propias necesidades.
De hecho, las primeras definiciones denotan que la agricultura sostenible comprende el manejo de procedimientos relacionados con los procesos naturales para conservar todos los recursos.
Todo esto se hizo con el objetivo de minimizar los desechos y el impacto ambiental, prevenir problemas y promover la preservación de los ecosistemas y la evolución y producción sostenida para la nutrición y satisfacción de todos. Sencillo,¿verdad?… Quizás no.
Lea el artículo completo aquí.
I-29 Moo University offers Dairy Beef Short Course
Are you looking for another reason to attend Central Plains Dairy Expo, March 25-27, in Sioux Falls, S.D.? Then add the “I-29 Moo University Dairy Beef Short Course” to your list. Set for March 25, 9 a.m.-3:15 p.m., this short course will also be held at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
The agenda features:
- Update on Implants, by Zachary Smith, South Dakota State University
- Vaccination Management, by Jennifer Spencer, Texas A&M University
- Calf Management Research: Preparing ‘em for the Feedlot, by Gail Carpenter, Iowa State University
- What Dairy Crossbreed Research is Telling Us About the Feedlot, by Garland Dalke, Iowa State University
- Economics of BXD in the Feedlot, by Melanie Pimentel-Concepcion, Michigan State University
- Hoof-related Lameness in Feedlot Cattle, by Sara Erickson, TELUS Agricultural
Click here to register.
Governor Rhoden invites nominations for 2025 Ag Ambassador Award
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden is seeking nominations for the 2025 South Dakota Governor’s Ag Ambassador Award. The Governor’s Ag Ambassador Award recognizes an individual or organization making a positive contribution to South Dakota’s agricultural industry. Nominations are due March 7 to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources .
Nominate individuals or organizations who continually work to promote agriculture in South Dakota, while demonstrating servant leadership, hard work, honesty, humility and respect for others. Key achievements of the Ag Ambassador include:
- Provides visionary leadership to South Dakota’s agricultural industry
- Champions growth and prosperity of the state’s number one industry
- Advocates for agriculture and the responsible stewardship of livestock and land
- Highlights the significance of South Dakota agriculture to the global food system
- Influences decision-makers to develop and implement sound agricultural policies
For more details about the Ag Ambassador Award, including information on past winners and the nomination form, visit https://danr.sd.gov/AboutDANR/default.aspx under the “Ag Summit” heading.
The Governor’s Ag Ambassador Award recipient will be recognized during the Governor’s Ag Summit in June 2025. For more information, contact Brian Faris at 605-773-5559 or brian.faris@state.sd.us.
Boots in the Barn is back for a 1-day program
Iowa State University (ISU) will host “Boots in the Barn” for dairy women and beef producers, March 14, in Edgewood, Iowa. This year’s program features three events, starting at 10 a.m. and concluding by 3:30 p.m. Join ISU Extension Dairy Specialist Jennifer Bentley and ISU Extension Beef Specialist Denise Schwab for this full-day program.
- 9:45-10 a.m. Meet at Edgewood Locker, 609 W Union Street, for participant registration and program introduction.
- 10-11:30 a.m. Tour Edgewood Locker and gain insights into direct marketing beef, the facility’s expansion and its increased processing capabilities. Learn about pricing strategies and how the locker has grown to meet customer demand. Participants may bring a cooler if they would like to shop Edgewood Locker’s extensive selection of meats or other local products available in the storefront.
- 11:30 a.m.-1p.m. Head to Woods Edge Golf Course, 504 W Union Street, for lunch and learn with Farm Credit Services on mastering financial recordkeeping and profitability. Gain insights into financial recordkeeping, understanding profitability and the key differences between cash flow and profitability. Discover practical tips and strategies to strengthen your financial management.
- 1-3:30 p.m. The program continues at Edgewood Veterinary Clinic, 2078 IA-3, with an informative and hands-on session on calf care and troubleshooting, led by Allison Vander Plaats, ISU College of Veterinary Medicine, with assistance from Sami Kemp, veterinarian with Edgewood Veterinary Clinic. Learn how to identify common health issues, master proper esophageal feeding techniques and understand essential equipment. Explore the causes of calf diarrhea, effective fluid therapy and strategies for managing colostrum when supply is limited. Participants are encouraged to bring their farm’s esophageal tube feeders for an in-depth discussion on hygiene, proper handling and maintenance to ensure safe and effective use. This session is an opportunity to gain practical insights for raising strong, healthy calves.
Click here for more details.
DCHA adds Short Courses to its Annual Conference and Trade Show
Head to the Centennial State – Colorado – for the 2025 Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (DCHA) Annual Conference and Trade Show in Westminster, April 8-10. The 2025 conference offers new educational opportunities with two concurrent Short Courses being held on April 7 – one focusing on young calves and the other on post-weaned calves up to parturition. Dave Renaud, University of Guelph, will address “Optimizing Colostrum Management: From Production to Long-Term Benefits” and Mike Overton, Zoetis, and Kevin Dhuyvetter, Elanco, will discuss “From Calf to Cow: Management and Economic Considerations for Dairy Replacement Heifers.”
 Building on last year's success of offering programming for Spanish-speaking individuals, DCHA will again offer two pre-conference sessions presented in Spanish and simultaneous interpretation (English to Spanish) for all general session and breakout session presentations. Additionally, interested individuals may attend in person or virtually.
To learn more about the conference, registration and hotel links, go to: https://bit.ly/DCHAweb25. Be sure to register early to get the best registration rate. Reserve your hotel room by March 20 to take advantage of DCHA’s discounted room block rate.
View some of the topics and find out more.
NMPF calls for scholarship applications
 The National Milk Producers Federations (NMPF) is now accepting applications for its National Dairy Leadership Scholarship Program for academic year 2025-2026. Each year, NMPF awards scholarships to outstanding graduate students who are actively pursuing dairy-related fields of research of immediate interest to NMPF member cooperatives and the U.S. dairy industry at large.
Graduate students pursuing research with direct benefit to milk marketing cooperatives and dairy producers may apply. Applicants do not need to be NMPF members to qualify. Recommended fields of study include, but are not limited to, agriculture communications and journalism, animal health, animal and/or human nutrition, bovine genetics, dairy products processing, dairy science, economics, environmental science, food science, food safety, herd management and marketing and price analysis.
Applications must be received by April 23. To apply or for more information, visit the NMPF website or e-mail scholarship@nmpf.org.
Share your insights: Farmers needed for financial and mental well-being Interviews
To better understand farmers’ mental health support needs, researchers from the University of Minnesota, South Dakota State University and Pennsylvania State University are seeking farmers in Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin to share their experiences in one-hour interviews via phone or Zoom.
The project is primarily focused on the following counties:
- Minnesota (Fillmore and Wright)
- South Dakota (Brown and Minnehaha)
- Wisconsin (Clark and Dodge)
The interviews will take place through April. Farmers will be compensated $50 for their time. All responses will remain anonymous.
Learn more or schedule an interview.
Attend the Precision Dairy Conference June 17-18
Registration is open for the 2025 Precision Dairy Conference in Bloomington, Minn., June 17-18. Space is limited so reserve your spot soon at www.precisiondairy.org.
“Let us all get together again to talk about dairy tech – ‘How far have we come and how far will we go?’” stated Marcia Endres, a conference organizer.
This precision dairy focused conference is a “boots-on-the-ground” event that brings together dairy producers, consultants, technology companies and academia in a “neutral space” with an interactive agenda. The event boasts lively discussions on real-life experiences with on-farm dairy technology
Featured speakers include Jeffrey Bewley, Aidan Connolly, Walt Cooley and Barb Petersen – with more yet to come. Plus, there will be multiple producer panels, a start-up company spotlight session and research updates. Michelle Schack will speak during the veterinarian panel – with other veterinarians yet to come.
Genetic base change occurs in April
The U.S. genetic base will be updated with the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) evaluations on April 1, 2025. The CDCB merit index values, along with the 49 individual selection traits and composites produced by CDCB, will be expressed on an updated genetic base relative to dairy cows born in 2020. In the United States, this update occurs every five years to best align selection tools with the current dairy herd.
Preliminary estimations of the changes in Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA) values for all breeds are available at this resource link. The final base change values and additional resources will be shared in March.
Brucellosis vaccination waiver extends age to 14 months for heifers
At a special meeting of the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health (BOAH), the board issued a waiver of rule allowing the age of brucellosis vaccination to be extended from 12 months to 14 months for heifers.
“With a shortage of brucellosis vaccine and tags, the board is temporarily extending the age requirement for heifer brucellosis vaccination to 14 months,” State Veterinarian Ethan Andress said. “The U.S. Department of Agriculture was consulted and did not have any concerns with the extension.”
“After taking all information into consideration, the board determined that these changes presented negligible risk to animal health in North Dakota,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said.
The waiver will be revisited at the next regularly scheduled BOAH meeting on March 12.
AMPI’s export efforts gain recognition
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recognized Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) with the Governor’s International Trade Award at an event held Jan. 24 in Bloomington, Minn. The award recognizes companies that have shown exceptional progress and results in foreign markets.
AMPI, headquartered in New Ulm, Minn., is owned by 850 dairy farm families from across the Upper Midwest. Two of the co-op’s seven manufacturing facilities and one-third of its employees are based in Minnesota.
AMPI Sales Director Tony Busch, a 31-year member of the team and instrumental player in growing the cooperative’s global presence, accepted the award on behalf of AMPI’s member-owners.
“This award fuels our momentum to continue building strong international partnerships,” Busch said. “We work on behalf of AMPI dairy farmers to bring quality, Co-op Crafted dairy products to restaurants and grocery stores around the world.”
AMPI began a targeted export program in 2020 to develop long-term relationships with in-market distributors.
Today, more than 20% of the co-op’s packaged cheese production is destined for customers overseas. Sliced American cheese, loaves and shreds of natural cheese are now distributed to 14 countries, primarily in Asia, the Middle East-North Africa, Central America and the Caribbean.
Four companies out of more than 2,000 applicants were recognized at the event in the categories of agricultural commodities, manufactured goods, services and international investment. “Trade and investment play an important role in our state’s economic growth and job creation,” Walz said. “I am proud to recognize the success of companies in Minnesota that are globally engaged.”
Representing AMPI in receiving the Minnesota Governor’s International Trade Award are, from left, Steve Schlangen, board member and dairy farmer from Albany, Minn.; Marshall Reece, sr. vice president of sales and marketing; Sheryl Meshke, president and CEO; Tony Busch, sales director; Dave Peterson, chairman of the board and dairy farmer from Boyd, Wis.; Brock Kline, CFO; Sarah Schmidt, vice president of marketing; and Tom Hoscheit, board member and dairy farmer from Caledonia, Minn.
Nine management strategies to help reduce the impact of liver abscesses in beef-on-dairy cattle
By Tom Earleywine, Land O’Lakes Animal Milk Solutions, and Donald C. Sockett, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Liver abscesses continue to be a challenge for the fed cattle industry, especially for the beef-on-dairy sector. They not only impact the health and well-being of the animal but may also result in substantial financial losses for cattle producers and beef packers, prompting producers to look for practical solutions. Implementing sound management and nutritional strategies on day one of the calf’s life can help reduce the prevalence of liver abscesses and their potential impact on cattle performance and operational profitability.
 The primary bacterium found in cattle liver abscesses is Fusobacterium necrophorum. According to research conducted by Kansas State University Professor T.G. Nagaraja, this bacterium is a common denominator in liver abscess cases, even when other disease-causing organisms are present. While F. necrophorum is part of the normal gut microbiota and exposure to this bacterium is inevitable, whether it colonizes and flourishes in the animal’s body is a different matter. 1
In dairy operations, feeding large volumes of colostrum via esophageal tube feeders can leave residual colostrum in the forestomachs, providing a nutrient-rich environment for bacteria like F. necrophorum to grow. This can lead to subclinical rumenitis, which often goes unnoticed. Poor management of calf starter feed can exacerbate this problem, which may increase gut permeability and predispose the liver to abscesses.
Good husbandry and proper feeding practices are essential to help reduce the incidence and severity of liver abscesses in beef-on-dairy calves. Consider the following management steps in cooperation with your herd nutritionist and local veterinarian to help mitigate the risks:
- Feed smaller volumes of high-quality colostrum (IgG ≥75 g/L) to newborn calves. Feeding a smaller volume with the proper mass of IgG can allow for the successful transfer of passive immunity. For calves fed colostrum via an esophageal tube feeder, it may reduce inflammation in the immature rumen.
- Feeding a high plane of nutrition or a minimum of 2 gallons of milk replacer and/or its equivalent in pasteurized milk per day, helps avoid excessive hunger, promotes a gradual transition to starter feed and helps the rumen mature properly.
- Maintain a consistent feeding schedule with at least two feedings per day spaced 12 hours apart. Operations that feed calves within a short period, leaving them without a pasteurized waste milk or milk replacer meal for an extended period of time can be predisposed to having gut health issues.
- Slowly introduce a starter feed within the first few days. The starter ration should have limited fines and a proper balance of fiber and starch to continue supporting proper rumen maturation as well as adequate protein to foster muscle and gut tissue growth.
- Consider feeding a diet that includes direct-fed microbials or probiotics that have been researched to show benefit in calves – to help protect the calf’s gut.
- Ensure fresh, clean, free-choice water is always available to encourage consistent water and starter intake. Do not provide soft water for drinking. Softened water can have a high sodium concentration, which can increase the risk of sodium toxicosis. Also, it is important to test water-source quality at least twice per year.
- Feed milk replacer and/or pasteurized milk for a minimum of 8 weeks, with a preference of 10 weeks prior to starting the weaning process. This provides adequate time for the rumen to develop into a fully functioning rumen ready for a highly fermentable ration.
- Provide a gradual two-week weaning process to ensure a smooth and healthy transition from a liquid diet to dry feed. An improper and abrupt transition to highly fermentable feed can lead to gut inflammation, increased gut permeability and hindgut acidosis, all of which can negatively impact liver health and may increase the risk of liver abscesses.
- When moving calves into group pens, minimize stress by providing additional feed and water options during the first two weeks while they acclimate to the other calves and their new environment.
Reference
1Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506
Colostrum quality vs. quantity: Striking the balance for dairy calf health
By Jennifer Bentley, Iowa State University extension dairy field specialist
Colostrum is the first and most critical feeding a newborn dairy calf receives, serving as its primary source of nutrition and immunity. The debate over quality versus quantity in colostrum feeding highlights the importance of both aspects in ensuring a calf's health and productivity. To optimize calf health, producers must focus on delivering sufficient high-quality colostrum promptly after birth.
Quality refers to the concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and other nutrients in colostrum. For  colostrum to be considered high quality, recent findings from Donald Sockett and Ryan Breuer, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, suggest at least 75 grams of IgG per liter, typically measured using a digital Brix refractometer (25%).
Factors influencing quality include:
• Cow health and vaccination status: Healthy, well-vaccinated cows produce colostrum with higher IgG levels.
• Time since calving: IgG concentration decreases the longer colostrum remains in the udder postcalving.
• Milking practices: Proper sanitation and immediate cooling after collection reduces contamination and preserves IgG levels.
• Season: Some producers and researchers report that colostrum yield and quality may be decreased on some dairies in the fall.
To read the complete article, click here.
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