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CPDE offers education, networking, fun
 Get up close and personal with country music stars BlackHawk at the Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls! This exclusive Backstage Meet & Greet takes place immediately after the concert on Tuesday, March 17. Ticket holders will take turns greeting the band and snapping a photo to capture the moment. Photos will be emailed to attendees (or you can use your own device). Tickets are limited, so submit your form soon and secure yours for a night to remember.
The 2026 Central Plains Dairy Expo (CPDE) is packed with can’t-miss learning, networking and fun. Plus, the Expo is built for dairy producers and industry pros who want to head home with fresh ideas – and a few great memories.
Kick off your 2026 CPDE with the 25-year Anniversary Welcome Reception, featuring BlackHawk. Then, dive into two days of trade show floor time, with nearly 70 educational breakout sessions (including 10 presented in Spanish) and 20 hands-on Ed Shed demos that turn big ideas into real, on-farm takeaways.
Between sessions, refuel and reconnect with plenty of crowd favorites. You name it, CPDE has it. Free donuts. Free pancake breakfast. Free grilled cheese. And even free ice cream. Plus, indulge in laid-back events like the Beer Garden, Wine & Cheese Social, and CPDE’s special 25th Anniversary Dessert.
For the full agenda, times and all the details, head to: https://www.centralplainsdairy.com/expo-experience. And don’t forget, register for CPDE before entering the Denny Sanford Center on March 17, 18, or 19.
Jacob Harbaugh receives CPDF’s $10,000 Emery Bartle Scholarship
The Central Plains Dairy Foundation (CPDF) named Jacob Harbaugh, a University of Minnesota-Twin Cities student from Marion, Wis., as CPDF’s first-ever Emery Bartle Scholarship recipient. The $10,000 scholarship, geared toward dairy production students, is named in memory of Emery Bartle, who graduated in 1926 from South Dakota State University’s dairy production department and devoted his career to enhancing dairy production systems.
Other CPDF scholarships went to Kaleb Heins, a University of Minnesota-Twin Cities student from Morris, Minn., Kayla Visser, a University of Minnesota-Twin Cities student from Hutchinson, Minn., and Lindsay Beyer, an Iowa State University student from Independence, Iowa. Heins and Visser won $5,000 CPDF Scholarships. 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. Preference is given to applicants in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Beyer 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.
An animal science and applied economics major, Harbaugh currently serves as the University of Minnesota Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) Fraternity president. In Gopher Dairy Club, he is on the leadership team, holding the post of officer at-large, and chairs 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. As a Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association member, he served two years on the Junior Activities Committee and participated in Dairy Quiz Bowl and Dairy Jeopardy.
Heins, an animal science – dairy production major, is a FarmHouse Fraternity member who is the director of administration and alumni relations, and was the 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.
Beyer is an agriculture communications major and currently serves 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.
The Central Plains Dairy Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) committed to supporting dairy and the communities it sustains across Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. CPDF invests in the people of dairy and supports efforts that strengthen the industry, encourages innovation and education, building a vibrant future for dairy in the region.
English
How to reduce somatic cell counts on your dairy
By Mireille Chahine and Mario de Haro Marti, University of Idaho Extension
Mastitis is one of the most costly diseases in dairy operations. Most producers associate clinical mastitis with milk loss, reduced income and a substantial increase in costs related to veterinary treatment and the culling of chronically infected cows. However, many are not aware of the importance of subclinical mastitis, since it is associated with a complete absence of visible symptoms.
The somatic cell count (SCC) is the total number of different leukocytes and epithelial cells per milliliter of milk and is used as a general indicator of mammary gland health. An increase in SCC levels generally indicates a higher level of subclinical infection of the mammary gland. The primary reason veterinarians and producers strive to reduce SCC is its direct relationship with milk loss. Lower SCC levels are also associated with higher protein and fat percentages, fewer cases of clinical mastitis, greater cheese yield and improved quality and stability of dairy products.
Read the full article here.
Spanish
Como reducir el recuento de células somáticas (RCS) en su hato lechero
Mireille Chahine y Mario de Haro Marti, Universidad de Idaho
La mastitis es una de las enfermedades más costosas en las explotaciones lecheras. La mayoría de los productores relacionan la mastitis clínica con pérdida de leche, de ingresos y con un incremento substancial de los costos asociados con el tratamiento veterinario y con el descarte de vacas crónicamente infectadas. No obstante, muchos no son conscientes de la importancia de la mastitis subclínica dado que está asociada con una ausencia total de síntomas. El recuento de células somáticas (RCS) es el número total de los diferentes leucocitos y células epiteliales por mililitro de leche y esta usado como indicador general de la salud de la glándula mamaria. Un incremento en el nivel de RCS generalmente indica un mayor nivel de infección subclínica de la glándula mamaria. La razón primaria que empuja a veterinarios y productores a reducir el RCS está asociada con la relación que existe entre el nivel de RCS y la pérdida de leche. Un menor nivel de RCS está también asociado con mayores porcentajes de proteína y de grasa, menos casos de mastitis clínica, mayor producción de queso, y más calidad y estabilidad de los productos lácteos.
Lee el artículo completo aquí
March 17 Dairy Beef Short Course features calf health, growth technologies, feedlot facilities
Make plans to attend the Dairy Beef Short Course on March 17, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center, Sioux Falls, S.D. The program runs from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and features a full day of research-based information on feeding and managing beef-on-dairy cattle.
“This year’s program has something for everyone in the beef-on-dairy supply chain – from early calf management all the way through carcass outcomes and facilities,” said Gail Carpenter, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Kimmi Devaney of Progressive Dairy magazine will serve as emcee for the day. Presenters and topics include:
• Lessons in Lung Health – Joe Armstrong, Zoetis
• Energetics of Changes in Liver Size and Health in Calves – Kendall Swanson, North Dakota State University
• The Effect of Growth Enhancing Technologies on Mineral Requirements in Beef Cattle – Dathan Smerchek, Iowa State University
• What’s Going on with Carcass Size? – Warren Rusche, South Dakota State University
• Facilities: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – Industry and producer panel
Morning speakers will also participate in a panel discussion before lunch. Lunch is provided.
Registration is $75 per adult, plus $15 for a printed copy of the presentations. College students may register at a discounted rate of $20. Register online at https://go.iastate.edu/DBSC2026. The deadline to register is March 10.
The Dairy Beef Short Course is offered by the I-29 Moo University, a collaboration of Iowa State University, University of Nebraska, University of Minnesota and South Dakota State University, and sponsoring organizations.
For more information, contact Gail Carpenter at 515-294-9085 or ajcarpen@iastate.edu, or Jim Salfer at 320-203-6093 or salfe001@umn.edu.
Ag risk management firms – PRN and DairyVisor – merge
Pinion Risk Management, LLC (PRN) and DairyVisor, LLC – two leading agriculture risk management firms – have merged advisory resources and services. This strategic merger brings together like-minded partners who share similar customer service values with the goal of becoming agriculture’s leading commodity price and margin management firm. The combined PRM team is excited to work together to deliver improved resources and service options for customer feed, grain and livestock trading needs. Visit with the PRM team at Central Plains Dairy Expo in their booth – C307.
Agropur announces $130 Million investment in South Dakota and Wisconsin dairy plants
By Karen Bohnert, Dairy Herd ManagementAgropur is signaling a high-conviction bet on the future of North American dairy, announcing a strategic $130 million investment across its Midwestern footprint. The move, unveiled during the cooperative’s annual general meeting on Feb. 11, targets high-growth markets for whey proteins and milk concentrates, while capitalizing on the explosive production growth in South Dakota. 
The centerpiece of the expansion is a $60 million modernization of Agropur’s Lake Norden, S.D. facility. This investment is perfectly timed to coincide with South Dakota’s emergence as a national dairy powerhouse.
Over the last decade, South Dakota has transitioned into one of the fastest-growing dairy states in the United States. While national milk production has faced headwinds, South Dakota has seen consistent year-over-year growth – often in double digits – fueled by a favorable regulatory environment and expansion of the I-29 corridor.
Simultaneously, Agropur is committing $70 million to three Wisconsin plants – Weyauwega, Luxemburg and Little Chute. These funds are earmarked for increasing whey processing and valorization capacity. By turning what was once a byproduct into high-value nutritional ingredients, Agropur is maximizing the milk check for its members through operational efficiency.
To read the complete Dairy Herd Management article, click here.
Register for the DCHA Annual Conference and Trade Show
 Head to the Grand Canyon State – Arizona – for the 2026 Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (DCHA) Annual Conference and Trade Show at the Hotel El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort, April 7-9. Back by popular demand, the 2026 conference offers two concurrent short courses being held on April 7 – one focusing on young calves and the other on post-weaned calves up to parturition. Terri Ollivett, University of Wisconsin, and Gabe Middleton, Veterinary Wellness Partners, will present “Leveraging Lung Ultrasound to Monitor Calf Health and Uncover Management Deficits.” Paul Fricke, University of Wisconsin, Mike Overton, Zoetis, and Joe Dalton, University of Idaho, will address “Growth and Development of Dairy Heifers, Including Targets and Economic Consequences.”
Also, back by popular demand, attendees may participate in one of two in-person tours, being held the morning of April. 7. One tour option is Shamrock Farms, a state-of-the-art farm with 25,000 cows. To view the dairy, DCHA members will hop aboard the “cow train” and stop at the feed area to discuss feed rations and view the 200-stall milking parlor. Additionally, they’ll tour Shamrock’s new calf barn and see their 10,000 heifers.
The second tour option is the University of Arizona’s Agricultural Research Center (ARC), a 33,000-square-foot facility dedicated to elucidating complex physiological mechanisms in domestic livestock, with a particular emphasis on environmental stress. In ARC’s environmental rooms, researchers investigate the effects of a semi-arid environment on animal genetics, metabolism and physiology.
Like the last two years, DCHA will 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/DCHA2026confagenda. Be sure to register early to get the best registration rate. Reserve your hotel room by March 16 to take advantage of DCHA’s discounted room block rate.
Michelle Schack, DairyKind, will deliver the keynote address – Training that Sticks: Why Documentation Matters on Today’s Dairy Farm. Effective training doesn’t have to be complicated. This session will show how clear plans and simple documentation can make training stick, protect your team and animals, and improve consistency on your dairy. Real-life examples of easy-to-use systems will give you tools to get results every day.
In addition to the General Session presentations, DCHA will offer Breakout Sessions via three tracks – wet calf/weaning, post-weaned/reproduction and beef cross. Thursday morning’s session features the popular panel discussions – one from each of the tracks.
Conference presentations include:
- “Impacts of Thermal Stress on Health and Performance of Preweaned Dairy Heifers” by Diego Manriquez, AgNext, Colorado State University (presented in Spanish and interpreted to English)
- “Calf and Heifer Euthanasia: From Guidelines to Action” by Marianna Guerrera, TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods (presented in Spanish and interpreted to English)
- “AI for Dairy Calf Management: What Do We Know and Where are We Headed?” by Melissa Cantor, Penn State University
- Workforce Development, Certification and Auditing – Why it Matters. – Josh White, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
- “Alternative Forages for Heifers: Balancing Yield, Quality and Cost” by Doug Duhatschek, Parnell Living Science
- “What Your Mother Never Told You About the 21-Day Cortisol Surge in Cattle” by Blaine Ellison, Applied Biotechnologies, Inc.
- “Beyond the Bag: Understanding Trends in Calf Milk Replacer Formulation” by Tana Dennis, Actus Nutrition, and Bethany Dado-Senn, Vita Plus Corporation
- “How are We Working to Get to Great” by Kevin Miller, Kansas Dairy Development
- “Short- and Long-distance Transport of Dairy and Dairy-Beef Cross Calves” by Gustavo Schuenemann, Ohio State University
DCRC’s March 12 webinar focuses on the effects of rumen-protected choline
Register for the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council’s (DCRC) next webinar – Effects of Rumen-protected Choline on Health and Reproduction of Dairy Cows – set for March 12, starting at 2 p.m. Central time (Chicago time). Fabio Lima, University of California-Davis associate professor of livestock health and theriogenology, will lead the free, one-hour webinar.
Rumen-protected choline (RPC) has emerged as a critical nutritional tool to support metabolic health, lactation performance and reproductive efficiency in modern dairy systems. This webinar will review the biological role of choline, summarize evidence from meta-analyses and recent large-scale field trials, and highlight its effects on milk yield, metabolic disorders and reproductive outcomes. Practical implications for transition cow management, profitability and dairy sustainability will be discussed based on published data and ongoing field research.
Go to: https://bit.ly/DCRCMar12Web to register for this DCRC webinar. If you are a DCRC member and cannot attend the live program, you may access the webinar at www.dcrcouncil.org by March 26.
Lima received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from São Paulo State University in Brazil and completed his master’s degree and PhD training at the University of Florida. He then served as a postdoctoral associate at Cornell University, followed by a faculty appointment at the University of Illinois, before joining his current position in the department of population health and reproduction at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, in 2020.
DBIA seeks grant applications
Midwest dairy businesses may apply for Dairy Business Builder grants offered by the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA). At least $2 million will be awarded via these grants. The funding is available to small- to medium-sized dairy farmers, manufacturers and processors in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
 The Dairy Business Builder grant program is administered by DBIA, a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and Center for Dairy Research. Applicants interested in diversifying on-farm activity, creating value-added products, enhancing dairy byproducts and/or creating or expanding an export program are eligible to apply for the Dairy Business Builder program. Applicants are eligible to receive awards of up to $150,000 each from the program.
The grant application is available at: dbia.wisc.edu. Applications are due at 5 p.m. Central time on April 22. Visit dbia.wisc.edu to view a short “Helpful Hints” video that will help you submit a strong grant proposal.
ISDA offers $1,000 scholarships
The Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA) announced that it will award seven $1,000 scholarships. Applicants must be the child or grandchild of a current ISDA member or be an employee or child of an employee on a dairy farm that belongs to ISDA. Applications are due March 15. To apply, go to: https://www.iowadairy.org/scholarships-and-awards.
Research supports genetic approaches to lameness
Research findings from the University of Minnesota (UMN) and Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) show that lameness is heritable, opening the door to breeding strategies that could reduce its impact. The results confirm that lameness is not just a management challenge; it is also heritable to a meaningful degree, indicating that targeted breeding strategies could reduce it over time.
These new insights have been enabled through the large, consistent datasets collected via the artificial intelligence- (AI) based CattleEye video system, distributed globally by GEA. For the first time, researchers have access to millions of objective, daily mobility assessments – a level of scale and precision that traditional manual scoring systems could not economically provide.
“We’re looking at breeding cows that simply don’t get lame as often,” said Terry Canning, senior director at GEA and founder of CattleEye. “This isn’t about treating lameness better or catching it earlier; it’s about creating herds where the problem largely doesn’t occur. That’s transformational for animal welfare and farm economics.”
New genetic traits in development
CDCB shared two potential new genetic traits under development.
- Mobility: A novel trait derived from AI-generated mobility scores collected via CattleEye’s video analytics platform.
- Hoof Health: Based on lesion data collected by professional hoof trimmers.
While the heritability of hoof disorders has been known for years, this study is the first to combine daily, objective mobility data at this scale with genomic information. That combination makes it possible to quantify the heritability of mobility itself – a direct measure of how smoothly an animal walks. Preliminary analysis by CDCB suggests heritability of 10% to 30%, providing a strong foundation for breeding more resilient herds over time.
Lameness remains one of the most significant economic and welfare challenges in dairy production worldwide. Beyond direct treatment costs, lameness affects milk yield, fertility and animal longevity. Modeling studies and review articles suggest that the costs per affected cow average around $350-400 per year, with variations depending on country, housing system and disease prevalence.
“This collaborative research is a prime example of pairing existing information – hoof trimmer records, with novel insights and camera data – to address high-impact issues on dairy farms,” said Javier Buchard, chief innovation officer at CDCB. “Genetic solutions are a powerful tool to drive cumulative and permanent improvements in herd health beyond environmental factors.”
Within three to five years, farmers could select breeding stock with substantially lower lameness risk. Their daughters can potentially stay healthier, produce more milk, conceive faster and remain in the herd longer. By integrating data into national breeding programs, the project is creating the first closed-loop, data-linking system among barns, science and breeding organizations. For dairy producers, this means:
- Early detection of lameness through automated AI monitoring
- Genetic selection for cows with greater mobility resilience
- Healthier, longer-living cows that produce more milk and require fewer interventions
What Dairy Challenge alumni are saying
The North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC) is well known for what it demands of students during competition, but perhaps the more compelling measure of the program’s value is what those students carry with them long after the contest ends. Although their career paths are diverse, Dairy Challenge alumni are applying its lessons every day.
Applying the classroom to the real world
For participants, Dairy Challenge is a high-impact learning opportunity to apply classroom theory to a working commercial dairy. The gap between lecture hall and barn is something alumni remember vividly.
Marianna Brenner (Iowa State University), now a strategic account manager at CP Feeds LLC, was drawn to the program for exactly that reason. “I wanted the opportunity to apply what I learned in the classroom to a real farm situation and use that knowledge to help improve overall success,” she said.
Allison Sanders (The Ohio State University), a sales specialist at Novus International, came to the contest without any prior dairy experience and found it transformative. She remarked, “Dairy Challenge taught me the power of thinking outside the box and reiterated that diverse perspectives lead to innovative solutions.”
The competition also exposes students to the geographic diversity of U.S. dairy. Andie Majewski (University of New Hampshire), now a graduate student at Ohio State, attended competition in California and had to adapt to management practices quite different from what she had studied back home. “It was a challenge to learn how the industry changes from one part of the country to the next,” she said. Brenner agreed, saying, “Dairies in California are way different than the ones in the Midwest, but we all have the same end goal.”
 Building confidence, communication, teamwork
Alumni consistently point to a shift in personal confidence as one of the most lasting outcomes of Dairy Challenge, particularly for those who do not see themselves as natural communicators or collaborators.
Abbie Trent (University of Tennessee, Knoxville), now a veterinary student at Massey University in New Zealand, described herself as a self-identified introvert. “Dairy Challenge opened a new world of confidence for me personally,” she stated. “I learned that meeting new people doesn’t have to be a scary thing and that it is incredibly rewarding to make connections along the way.”
Hallie Mallonee (Washington State University [WSU]), a veterinary student at WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, experienced a similar shift. “I tend to be a quieter person in group settings. After Dairy Challenge, I realized I am not as quiet as I thought,” she commented.
For both Trent and Mallonee, the benefits have extended directly into their veterinary studies. Trent explained that understanding farm management, nutrition and herd dynamics through Dairy Challenge has made her better equipped to think through clinical cases holistically, considering not just animal health but also the operational and human factors that contribute to it. Mallonee echoed that, noting that the financial literacy she gained has been equally valuable. “Taking client budgets, financial considerations and market fluctuations are things I am able to apply to my life on the farm now and my future life in the clinic.”
Alison Wagner (University of Wisconsin-River Falls), an account manager at Phibro Animal Health, found that being paired with unfamiliar teammates pushed her to rethink how she works with others. “My experience with Dairy Challenge forced me to think outside the box and personally challenged my ability to collaborate with people who think or work differently than I do,” she commented. “I learned it is okay to take a back seat and invite others to do what they are good at. I found such a renewed value in collaborative teamwork. This skill has stuck with me in my professional career and I have found it to be incredibly valuable and rewarding to implement.”
Prepared for the workforce
When alumni describe how Dairy Challenge prepared them professionally, they return to the same combination: technical knowledge applied through strong communication and people skills.
Kristen Chapman (Michigan State University), a dairy marketing specialist at Cargill, credited the program with building a foundation she still draws on. “Dairy Challenge helped me develop confidence, presentation skills, adaptability and the ability to work effectively on a team. It built a foundation that I continue to reflect on and strengthen as I grow professionally,” she said. Sanders put it simply, “I may not create partial budgets in my day-to-day role, but I use the personal skills and industry knowledge I gained from the experience every day.”
Kylie Konyn (University of Wisconsin-Madison), now a graduate student in Tom Overton’s lab at Cornell University, has already come full circle, mentoring students at a regional competition and volunteering at Academy in South Dakota. “Dairy Challenge teaches you to evaluate the data, step back and make observations at the farm, and return with confidence to the producer in formulating effective recommendations,” she stated.
Beyond the technical skills, alumni described a deeper appreciation for the people who make the dairy industry run. Trent spoke for many when she reflected on the perspective Dairy Challenge gave her. “Dairy Challenge taught me that not only are the animals important, but the people are important, too. The nutritionists, the farmhands, the barn managers, the farm owners, the tanker truck drivers, the veterinarians, the researchers, etc. are what make this industry work; and I feel better prepared as a student to appreciate that.”
Advice for students considering participating
“Take the leap and join a team! It doesn’t matter if you come from a multi-generational farm or have never stepped foot on a dairy.” – Allison Sanders
“Dairy Challenge will be one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences of your college career. Don’t miss out!” – Kristen Chapman
“Traveling for these events is also very fun and full of networking, which is essential for life after college. I would do these events all over again in a heartbeat if I had the opportunity!” – Hallie Mallonee
In 2026, NAIDC will be hosted in Sioux Falls, S.D. Registration and additional information are available at https://www.dairychallenge.org.
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