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Don’t miss the Backstage Meet & Greet at CPDE!
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. 
Central Plains Dairy Expo 2026 delivers industry-leading education
Education takes center stage at the 2026 Central Plains Dairy Expo (CPDE) as the event marks its 25th anniversary with one of the most comprehensive and practical speaker lineups in its history. Designed to meet the needs of today’s dairy producers, CPDE 2026 will feature more than 50 expert-led sessions focused on herd health, nutrition, technology, risk management, sustainability and leadership.
The CPDE educational program brings together respected industry experts, veterinarians, nutritionists, researchers, economists and producer voices from across the country. Sessions are designed to address real-world challenges and opportunities facing today’s dairy operations, delivering practical, actionable insights producers can apply immediately on their farms. All educational sessions are free to attend and producer registration for CPDE is complimentary. Attendees simply need a name badge for admission, which can be obtained by registering in advance at: www.centralplainsdairy.com.
Key educational focus areas for CPDE 2026 include:
Herd health, transition cow, calf management
Multiple sessions will address critical stages of dairy production, including transition cow success, calf health and disease prevention. Topics range from managing hypocalcemia and bovine respiratory disease to innovative approaches for improving fresh cow health, stress reduction and reproductive efficiency. Speakers from leading animal health organizations will share the latest research and on-farm strategies to support herd longevity and productivity.
Nutrition, forages, feed efficiency
Attendees will gain insights into maximizing forage quality, feed efficiency and return on investment. Sessions will explore the advantages of alfalfa, feed freshness, carbohydrate strategies for calves, nitrogen efficiency, mycotoxin management and practical forage decision-making to support milk production and profitability.
Technology, automation, data-driven decisions
As technology continues to reshape dairy operations, CPDE 2026 will feature sessions highlighting automation, artificial intelligence (AI), data management and milking parlor innovations. Educational offerings include hands-on discussions regarding AI applications for dairy managers, automated feeding and milking systems, transition cow monitoring tools and selecting technology that delivers real value on farm.
Risk management, business strategy, biosecurity
With volatility impacting today’s dairy landscape, CPDE 2026 offers timely education on commodity price risk management, insurance strategies and business planning. A special focus will be placed on farm biosecurity, with expert-led sessions outlining where to start and how to build enhanced biosecurity plans to protect herd health and operational continuity.
Leadership development, workforce conversations
CPDE 2026 will also host important conversations about the future of the dairy industry. The “Dairy’s Rising Leaders: Conversations We Need to Have” panel will bring together emerging leaders to discuss workforce development, leadership pathways and evolving needs of the industry.
To better serve a diverse audience, CPDE 2026 will once again offer educational sessions presented in Spanish. This ensures access to high-quality information for all members of the dairy workforce.
“The Central Plains Dairy Expo has always been committed to education that matters,” said CPDE Member Services Director Renee Brod. “Our 2026 speaker series reflects the depth, innovation and collaboration within the dairy industry, offering producers practical tools to navigate today’s challenges and build for the future.”
The full speaker lineup is available at: https://www.centralplainsdairy.com/speakers/
English
H5N1 Genotype D1.1: What dairy producers need to know about Wisconsin detection
By Noelia Silva-del-Rio, Univeristy of California-Davis, and Maristela Rovai, South Dakota State University
You’ve likely seen headlines about the confirmation of H5N1 genotype D1.1 in a Wisconsin dairy herd. The good news is that this isolated case doesn’t signal a new widespread threat to U.S. dairies and it doesn’t change your current biosecurity or testing protocols.
To date, only three U.S. dairy herds have tested positive for the D1.1 genotype (Nevada Jan-2025, Arizona Feb-2025, Wisconsin Dec-2025) via routine bulk tank testing, supported by the National Milk Testing Strategy. Each of these cases appears to be a separate spillover event from wild birds, with no evidence of cow-to-cow transmission within the herd or spread to other farms.
View the full article here.
Spanish
H5N1 Genotipo D1.1: Lo que los productores lecheros necesitan saber sobre la reciente detección en Wisconsin
Por Noelia Silva-del-Rio, Univeristy of California-Davis, and Maristela Rovai, South Dakota State University
Probablemente haya visto titulares recientes sobre la confirmación del genotipo D1.1 de H5N1 en una granja lechera de Wisconsin. La buena noticia es que este caso aislado no señala una nueva amenaza generalizada para las lecherías de EE. UU., y no cambia sus protocolos actuales de bioseguridad u otros protocolos.
Hasta la fecha, solo tres granjas lecheras de EE. UU. han dado positivo para el genotipo D1.1 (Nevada enero 2025, Arizona febrero 2025, Wisconsin diciembre 2025) mediante pruebas rutinarias de tanques de leche respaldadas por el National Milk Testing Strategy (Estrategia Nacional de Pruebas de Leche). Cada uno de estos casos parece ser un evento de contagio independiente de aves silvestres, sin evidencia de transmisión de vaca a vaca dentro del hato ni de propagación a otras granjas.
Vea el artículo completo aquí.
Iowa Dairy Days feature ‘Near-term Strategies for Long-term Pay-off’
 This year’s Iowa Dairy Days will focus on “Near-term Strategies for Long-term Pay-off.” Presenters will offer practical, actionable decisions producers can make to strengthen herd performance, manage risk and support long-term profitability. Dairy Days brings together regional and statewide extension specialists to address timely topics in milk markets, herd health, forage management and farm-level decision-making. Each location offers a full day of programming, interactive discussion and opportunities to network with fellow producers and industry partners. Lunch will be provided through local sponsorship.The 2026 program features speakers from the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team, as well as forage specialists:
- Fred Hall, northwest Iowa dairy field specialist, will discuss current milk market dynamics and their implications for component-based pricing.
- Phillip Jardon, clinical associate professor and dairy extension veterinarian, will review emerging disease and parasite issues, and their implications for Iowa dairy herds.
- Larry Tranel, northeast/southeast Iowa dairy field specialist, will explore cost-of-production strategies across herd sizes and production systems.
- Shelby Gruss, assistant professor and extension forage specialist, will lead a forage identification session followed by a producer listening session.
- Gail Carpenter, state extension dairy specialist, will discuss how near-term culling decisions can influence long-term herd health, efficiency and profitability.
- Jenn Bentley, northeast Iowa dairy field specialist, will share applied colostrum management strategies.
Click here for dates, locations and agenda.
DCRC webinar, presented in Spanish, highlights breeding strategies
“Strategic economics of breeding: Optimizing beef-on-dairy and replacement heifer” (Economía estratégica de la reproducción: Optimizando el uso de los cruces de razas cárnicas con razas lecheras y las necesidades de novillas de reemplazo), presented in Spanish, headlines the Feb. 4 Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) webinar. The free webinar starts at 2 p.m. Central time (USA/Canada). Victor Cabrera, University of Wisconsin, will serve as the instructor for this one-hour webinar.To register for this webinar, go to: https://bit.ly/DCRCFeb4Web. If you are a DCRC member and cannot attend the live program,  you may access the webinar at www.dcrcouncil.org after Feb. 18.Breeding strategies on dairy farms are increasingly influenced by the economic opportunities of beef-on-dairy matings alongside the need to maintain an adequate supply of replacement heifers. This presentation will explore the economic trade-offs involved, focusing on how herd demographics, reproductive performance, and market conditions affect optimal breeding strategies. Practical decision frameworks and economic modeling will be presented to illustrate how producers can balance short-term cash flow with long-term herd sustainability. Attendees will gain insights into applying these principles to maximize profitability under varying farm conditions.
(Las estrategias reproductivas en las granjas lecheras están cada vez más influenciadas por las oportunidades económicas de los cruces de razas cárnicas con razas lecheras, junto con la necesidad de mantener un suministro adecuado de novillas de reemplazo. Esta presentación explorará las compensaciones económicas involucradas, centrándose en cómo la demografía del hato, el desempeño reproductivo y las condiciones del mercado afectan las estrategias óptimas de reproducción. Se presentarán marcos prácticos de toma de decisiones y modelos económicos para ilustrar cómo los productores pueden equilibrar el flujo de caja a corto plazo con la sostenibilidad del hato a largo plazo. Los participantes obtendrán información sobre cómo aplicar estos principios para maximizar la rentabilidad bajo diversas condiciones de la granja.)
Cabrera is a leading expert in data-driven decision support for dairy farm management, integrating applied research, interdisciplinary approaches and participatory methods to develop practical, user-friendly tools that enhance farm profitability, environmental stewardship and long-term sustainability. He leads the Dairy Brain project, a pioneering initiative in data integration and analytics for dairy farming, and actively contributes to the RuFaS project, which advances resilient and climate-smart agricultural systems.
Learn about the Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grant program
Is one of your 2026 resolutions to apply for a Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grant? Join us for a Dairy Grant Workshop, a hands-on, 90-minute session designed specifically for dairy producers.
Get guidance with a practical grant checklist, storytelling tips and real-world application examples, which are designed to help you confidently prepare your grant application. The application period opens on March 1.
Cost: $15/person
Time: 8:00-9:30 a.m.
Dates: February 4: NICC Dairy Center Room 115 – 1527 IA-150, Calmar
February 18: Delaware County Community Center – 200 E. Acers St., Manchester
For more information about the Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grant, visit: https://www.chooseiowa.com/grants/dairyinnovation
PDP to meet March 4-5, in Madison, Wisconsin
Registration is now open for the 2026 Business Conference presented by the Professional Dairy Producers (PDP). The annual event for dairy producers featuring two days of world class programming,
leading researchers, industry experts and a dairy supplier and equipment trade show is set for March 4-5, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis.
 With the theme of “Dairy’s Blueprint: Drafting Tomorrow’s Success,” the conference is the must-attend event of the year for dairy producers looking to elevate their business in 2026. PDP’s Business Conference combines forward-thinking speakers with interactive and hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities to provide dairy producers with practical, ready-to-use strategies that strengthen margins and sharpen decision-making. The full conference schedule and speaker list are now available at www.pdpw.org.
“Every successful project begins with a well-designed blueprint and so does every successful dairy business,” said Shelly Mayer, PDP executive director. “The PDP Business Conference is designed by dairy producers with topics, speakers and sessions focused on today’s top challenges and opportunities. Attendees will leave energized, equipped and inspired for success in the year ahead.”
Highlights for the 2026 Business Conference include:
- More than 50 learning sessions in several formats for different learning styles, including keynote, breakout, hands-on and learning lounge presentations
- More than 40 top-tier speakers and presenters, ranging from leading researchers to forward-thinking dairy producers, industry experts and inspiring keynotes
- Simultaneous Spanish interpretation of all educational sessions
- The talentCONNECT reverse career fair will return for a second year and expand to both days of the conference, flipping the traditional job fair model on its head and providing college-age students the opportunity to set up displays and connect with industry professionals
- Networking and interaction with the industry’s premier dairy suppliers in the Hall of Ideas Equipment and Trade Show
- The Hall of Ideas will come to life with music, food, drinks and Wisconsin cheese on Wednesday evening with high-energy, dueling piano entertainment from Piano Fondue
- Preview Stage with deep dives into the latest research in animal health, sustainability and crop production underway in the University of Wisconsin system
- Nexus stage showcasing companies whose novel ideas, products and services offer innovative solutions to producers and agri-business professionals
Visit the 2026 Business Conference website for the conference flyer and information on exhibiting at the event. Details on lodging are also available, with discounted rates at several Madison area hotels if booked by February deadlines. Learn more here.
Power planning: How transition planning empowers Minnesota’s farm families
In the next two decades, an estimated 70% of U.S. farmland will change hands, putting many family farms and their communities at a critical juncture. Proactive planning can prevent the fragmentation of farms, keep farmland in production and prepare the next generation. But for many families, the path forward is daunting.
“After the passing of my dad’s parents and seeing the difficult time my dad and his siblings had with what to do with the farm, my sisters and I didn’t want to be put in that same situation. My parents were not only facing the reality of their age but were also feeling very overwhelmed with what to do with their own farm.”
— Kendra Reinert, Long Prairie
This sentiment is echoed among many farm families across Minnesota, where the average age of a principal farm operator is nearly 58. Families wonder:
- How do we get started?
- What happens to the farm?
- What is fair?
- What are the tax consequences of this or that action?
Farm transition and estate planning help guide families to their own unique answers.
Recognizing a statewide need, University of Minnesota Extension began hosting one-day workshops on farm transfer and estate planning for families in 2004. In 2018, Extension partnered with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to add 1.5-day retreats for deeper family discussion. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has also become a partner.
Half-day workshops offer an overview of the technical aspects of farm transition and estate planning, while longer retreats are designed for multiple generations of a family to come together to plan.
Honest talk
The goal is to help Minnesota farm families create their farm legacy. The approach? Experienced educators guide families through questions in the company of other families going through the same thing.
“We’re talking about what to do with stuff when you die, like writing a will, so it can be kind of heavy and it really can be a struggle for people to discuss it,” says Nathan Hulinsky, Extension agricultural business management educator. “But in this setting, if you can’t share what you want to have happen now, when will you? It’s an open and honest discussion time.”
The power of shared experience
Susanne Hinrichs, Extension agricultural business management educator, adds, “Participants say, ‘We can work on this stuff ourselves, but to all come together, there’s a lot of value in that’.”
The dedicated time to focus, the guided discussions and ideas for next steps provide families with a sense of power and relief in having a roadmap.
In one retreat activity, participants split into groups based on their role (such as parent or child) and list needs, wants, fears and expectations. Spoiler alert: when the larger group reconvenes, they find that despite some initial differences, everyone has largely the same list.
“I think people are surprised how similar everybody’s thoughts are,” says Hulinsky.
Focusing on these mutual objectives can help set the family on a path to their goals. The program offers peace of mind and more – the continuation of family farms that are essential to Minnesota’s rural communities.
For more information, contact Hulinsky at: huli0013@umn.edu.
Animal Agriculture Alliance opens Summit registration
 Registration for the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2026 Stakeholders Summit is open. This year’s Summit, set for May 5-7, in Kansas City, Mo., is themed “High Steaks: Navigating Pressure on Animal Protein.” This Summit will bring together hundreds of food chain partners for dynamic conversations around animal agriculture’s most pressing topic.You’re feeling the heat. We all are. With headlines, regulations and expectations all bearing down, the stakes for animal agriculture and the food community have never been higher. But this is a rare opportunity. Only at the 2026 Stakeholders Summit will you find the most passionate minds sparking together. It’s the one place where conversation is alight and ideas sizzle. We know what’s on the line – and we’re fired up to face it. Time to dig in.
An agenda outline is now available and the speaker lineup will be announced soon. Visit the Summit website for updates.
2025 Dairy First Award honors Iowa farm for excellence in milk quality and animal well-being
Boehringer Ingelheim announced that GenoSource LLC, Blairstown, Iowa, received the 2025 Dairy First Award recipient, an annual honor recognizing a dairy operation’s commitment to milk quality and overall herd well-being.First cousins Tim Rauen, Matt Simon and Kyle Demmer lead the daily operations at GenoSource. Started in 2014, GenoSource was created to further pursue the passion for quality genetics that was started by their grandfather, Joe Simon, who founded Farnear Holsteins.
Today, GenoSource maintains a milking herd of 4,200 cows and a world-renowned genetics company, making them a powerhouse in milk production and both breeding and embryo programs. Eight families own the company: Tim, Bill and Steven Rauen’s families; Matt, Tom and Rick Simon’s families; Pat Carroll’s family; and Kyle Demmer’s family. The families’ long-standing commitment to cow care, milk quality and continued investment in technology exemplifies why they have earned this recognition.
“We take great pride in the products we create for the end user,” said Tim Rauen, CEO of GenoSource. “Whether it’s the milk or cheese, or selling semen around the world, we’re producing the best products to the best of our abilities and feel really proud of what we’re doing.”
View the full article here.
Central Plains students earn National DHIA scholarships
The National Dairy Herd Information Association (DHIA) Scholarship Committee selected 12 high school seniors and college students to each receive a $1,000 scholarship. Committee members ranked applicants based on scholastic achievements, leadership in school and community activities, and responses to DHI- and career-related questions. To be eligible for a National DHIA scholarship, applicants must be a family member or employee of a herd on DHI test, a family member of a DHI employee, or an employee of a DHI affiliate. The DHI affiliate for the herd or affiliate employee must be a National DHIA member.  This year’s National DHIA scholarship recipients, from the Central Plains and Wisconsin, are Ashley Brandel, Lake Mills, Wis. (parents: Matt and Tracy Brandel); Natalie Clemenson, Zumbrota, Minn. (parents: Brian and Tiffany Clemenson); Alaina Fisher, Waconia, Minn. (parents: Amanda and Brian Fisher); Logan Harbaugh, Marion, Wis. (parents: Lynn and Sara Harbaugh); Nicole Hauschildt, Zumbro Falls, Minn. (parents: Stephanie and Chad Domke); Ella Raatz, Colby, Wis. (parents: Al and Teri Raatz); and Lindsey Rotz, Pelican, Rapids, Minn. (parents: Paul and Carolin Rotz).
Money generated from the annual National DHIA Scholarship Auction primarily funds the organization’s scholarship program. Investments and donations also help build the fund. To donate to the National DHIA Scholarship Fund, contact Leslie Thoman at 608-848-6455 ext. 108 or lthoman@dhia.org.
On July 1, 2026, the 2027 National DHIA Scholarship application will be posted on the National DHIA website at: www.dhia.org/scholarship.asp. Applications are due Oct. 31, 2026.
CowManager recognizes Brandon Thesing
 CowManager, a global leader in smart cow monitoring solutions, recognized its CowManager Success Story of the Year, Up-and-Coming CowManager Specialist, CowManager Specialist of the Year and the Dr. Ray Nebel Legacy Award winner during the winter CowManager Training Summit.“It is an honor to recognize these award winners and share their success stories,” said Gerard Griffioen, founder of CowManager. “Our partnership with Select Sires allows us to collaborate with industry leaders and exceptional U.S. dairy producers. We are proud to take part in this summit and celebrate those who exceed expectations.”
Brandon Thesing of Select Sires Member Coop in Minnesota received the Dr. Ray Nebel Legacy Award. This award honors Ray Nebel, retired vice president of technical services and a driving force behind Select Sires’ partnership with CowManager. Thesing was recognized for his exceptional work ethic, collaborative approach to promoting and selling CowManager, and his commitment to going above and beyond to meet customer needs. A true advocate for the cow monitoring system, he is dedicated to making a meaningful, everyday difference for producers.
Dairy’s ‘moment’ matters
Dairy’s moment is extending into 2026. In many ways, it’s strengthening.  Whole milk is coming back into schools – after being explicitly kept out of recent editions of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, there it is, specifically included in the new inverted Food Pyramid.Cheese, butter and yogurt are on the icon too, part of a federal emphasis on whole foods as dairy not only matches the moment, it matches the science, too.
Dairy farmers and their cooperatives are no doubt delighted. With apologies to the Wisconsin state license plate, which calls that state “America’s Dairyland,” perhaps we should say that everywhere, America is Dairyland. But victory dances aside, it’s important to remember why all this matters.
For a refresher, view the full article.
Do you have readily available first aid kits on your farm?
Farming is a dangerous occupation. Having a well-stocked first aid kit can help you quickly respond to farm injuries. Being prepared can often mean the difference between an injury and a life-threatening situation.  You and/or your employee(s) can use this form to complete safety checks on your farm. Use the form below to list additional safety checks you think are important when inspecting your farm.
- Injuries can happen in different locations on the farm. Do you have multiple locations to store first aid kits, such as the shop, tractor, barn?
- Does your first aid kit include personal medical information (e.g., allergic reactions) and the name and phone of your medical provider?
- 911 may not be standard service in all areas. Does your kit have an emergency number card that includes how to contact an ambulance, hospital or fire department?
- Do you have directions to the farm or work area listed on a reference card?
- Have you and your family members/workers completed First Aid/CPR courses? Include the corresponding manual and first aid chart.
- Do you have supplies to help you handle a major trauma, such as an entanglement, including a tourniquet, large and small garbage bags for limbs, wooden splints, elastic tape for fractures?
- Does your kit include a flashlight or flares/matches when working at night?
- Do you have a label and date on each kit? A nylon duffel bag works well to hold the larger items of the kit.
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