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CPDF adds $10,000 scholarship to its scholarship portfolio
The Central Plains Dairy Foundation (CPDF) announced that it will provide one $10,000 scholarship in 2026, along with two $5,000 scholarships, two $2,500 scholarships and increase the Lon and Kathy Tonneson Scholarship from $500 to $1,000. The $10,000 scholarship, named in memory of Emery H. Bartle, is intended to encourage and support a student pursuing an undergraduate degree and professional career in dairy production. The $5,000 scholarships will go to four-year college/university students and the $2,500 scholarships will go to two-year program students. The Lon and Kathy Tonneson Scholarship honors the Tonnesons for their years of dedication to growing agriculture and the dairy industry. Tonneson Scholarships go to students pursuing a degree in agriculture with emphasis in ag communication and/or leadership.
 Bartle graduated in 1926 from South Dakota State University’s (SDSU) dairy production department. After graduation, Bartle worked as a herdsman for several large dairy farms in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. In 1944, he returned to SDSU as the university’s dairy production herd manager and a dairy science department faculty member, teaching dairy production courses and coaching the dairy cattle judging team. Additionally, Bartle judged many Upper Midwest county and state fairs, and served as superintendent of the South Dakota State Fair’s dairy cattle show.
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 will be given to applicants in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
To learn more about the new CPDF scholarships, go to: https://www.centralplainsdairy.com/about/central-plains-dairy-foundation. You may also download the application via that link. Applications are due Jan. 2, 2026.
CPDF scholarship applicants must write an essay about why they are pursuing an education in the dairy industry and why they are deserving of the scholarship. Additionally, they must provide two letters of recommendation and submit their college, university or technical school transcript.
“The Central Plains Dairy Association and Central Plains Dairy Foundation are proud to invest in students looking to make an impact on the dairy industry upon graduation,” said Kristy Mach, Central Plains Dairy Foundation executive director. “We believe that post-secondary education – be it at a two-year or four-year institution – strengthens the industry as a whole. These scholarships will help deserving students offset the costly expense of continuing education. The number of applicants increases each year and the selection process isn’t easy, but when looking at the commitment and talent of these students, it’s clear that the future of the dairy industry throughout the Central Plains is bright.”
E-mail scholarship documents to: kristy@centralplainsdairyexpo.com.
Where will your workers come from?
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team will hold a webinar on Nov. 11, from 12-1 p.m. Central. This program will be presented by Richard Stup, Agricultural Workforce Development program at Cornell University.
Developing and retaining a reliable farm workforce has become one of the most limiting factors for dairy farm success. This presentation will explore some of the long-term demographic and economic trends affecting the farm workforce, current trends driving change and ways farms are adapting. Stup will also explore workforce programs, such as TN visas and the H-2A guestworker program, and how these impact the dairy industry. Finally, he will take a look at the future farm workforce.
Stup teaches leadership and management courses, and conducts research into labor challenges facing the agriculture industry. His focus is on helping agricultural employers avoid labor risks, create engaged employee teams and operate profitably. Additionally, Stup leads a team who focuses on helping employers with regulatory compliance, developing managers and supervisors, employee housing management and developing the future farm workforce.
Before joining Cornell, Stup practiced as an organization development consultant, served as a senior leader in Farm Credit, was an extension associate with Penn State University and worked in the feed industry. He earned his doctorate from Penn State in the field of workforce education and development.
Producers, dairy consultants and industry reps are encouraged to attend the free webinar by registering, at least one hour prior to the webinar’s start, at: https://go.iastate.edu/DAIRYWORKERS.
📷Credit: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Facebook Page
Webinar will focus on navigating low colostrum yields in dairy herds
The next Four-State Dairy Nutrition & Management Conference webinar is set for Nov. 25, with Katelyn Goldsmith exploring the growing understanding of factors that influence colostrum yield. During this presentation, Goldsmith will discuss the growing understanding of factors that influence colostrum yield and offer strategies to support colostrum production and manage through periods of low colostrum yields.
Goldsmith serves Wisconsin’s dairy producers as a statewide dairy outreach specialist with the  University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. In this role, she bridges the gap between research and practical on-farm management by developing resources and programs tailored to the needs of dairy farmers. Raised on her family’s dairy farm in Iowa, she went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and a master’s degree focused on dairy cattle nutrition from Michigan State University. After working as a dairy cattle nutritionist, Goldsmith joined UW-Madison Extension, where she enjoys helping farms find functional, research-backed solutions to everyday challenges.
Producers, dairy consultants and industry reps are encouraged to attend the free webinar live from 12-1:30 p.m. Central time, by registering at least one hour before the webinar at:
https://go.iastate.edu/LOWCOLSTRUMVIELDS.
National Junior Holstein members: Apply for Judi Collinsworth Memorial Scholarships
Applications are now being accepted for the National Judi Collinsworth Memorial Scholarship, an award that honors youth who demonstrate dedication to the Holstein breed and leadership within their communities. Two scholarships will be awarded – a top award of $1,000 and a second award of $500. Eligible applicants must be National Junior Holstein Association members enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university who have exhibited their animal at a National Junior Holstein Show during the current show season. 
Last year’s recipients were Jacob Harbaugh of Wisconsin and Keenan Thygesen of Vermont. Reflecting on his Junior Holstein experiences, Harbaugh shared, “I am forever grateful for the opportunity to travel and learn new things because of the Holstein cow and I am excited to pursue a career in the dairy industry because of these many experiences.”
Applicants are evaluated on leadership, participation in Holstein activities and involvement in school, community and agricultural organizations. Applications are due Dec. 1, and can be found at www.juniorholstein.com, under “Scholarships.”
Judi Collinsworth served as executive director of member and industry relations at Holstein Association USA in Brattleboro, Vt. Collinsworth oversaw member relations, state association communications, telemarketing and external affairs, but her passion was Holstein youth programs. She devoted many hours to program development and was instrumental in securing financial support for youth programs during her tenure with the Holstein Association.
DCHA webinar addresses factors influencing colostrum quantity, quality
“Colostrum management: Factors influencing yield, quality and calf health” headlines the Nov. 17 Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (DCHA) webinar. Trent Westhoff, Elanco Animal Health dairy technical consultant, will serve as the presenter for this free, one-hour webinar, which starts at 10 a.m. Central time (Chicago time).
 To learn more about the webinar, go to: https://calfandheifer.org/
During this educational offering, Westhoff will discuss colostrum management programs and their importance to reduce the risk of poor transfer of passive immunity and the associated negative consequences on calf health and performance. This session is designed to overview the latest recommendations for colostrum harvest, handling and storage protocols, and address individual cow factors, as well as dry period nutrition and management factors that affect colostrum yield and quality.
An Iowa native, Westhoff grew up involved in his family’s dairy, swine and row crop farm. He received his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Iowa State University. During his undergraduate program, Westhoff’s interest in research evolved while completing three internships in the dairy food manufacturing and animal nutrition industries. He went on to earn a PhD from Cornell University. Westhoff’s research described the epidemiology of colostrum production and identified cow, farm management and herd-level nutritional factors associated with colostrum yield and quality. Additionally, his research focused on evaluating the effects of pre- and postpartum metabolizable protein supply on metabolism, the immune response and colostrum and milk production.
Veterinarians may earn one Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) credit for attending this DCHA webinar. To learn more about this opportunity, contact JoDee Sattler at: jodee@calfandheifer.org.
This webinar is sponsored by Elanco Animal Health. The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association does not support one product or company over another, and any mention is not an endorsement by DCHA.
Applications open for grants from Dairy's Foundation
Dairy associations, nonprofits and educational organizations across the country are invited to apply for grants of up to $10,000. Dairy’s Foundation is accepting applications through Dec. 1, 2025, to  support new programs in the dairy industry that build the skills of students or dairy producers, or increase public trust in the people and products of dairy.
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 $365,000 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.
Continuing Siouxland’s Legacy of Workforce Opportunity Conference set for December 2
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host the Continuing Siouxland’s Legacy of Workforce Opportunity Conference on Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., in Sioux Center, Iowa. This event is designed to bring together employers, economic development professionals, community leaders and others working to source, train and retain workforce talent to help rural communities thrive.
 The conference will feature Georgia Van Gundy, deputy director of Iowa Workforce Development, as the opening speaker. She’ll kick off the day with insights into workforce trends and opportunities across Siouxland.
In the afternoon, Jason Henderson, vice president of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will help attendees explore how jobs, wages and workforce trends shape the broader economy – and why understanding labor at the macro level is key to building resilient communities and policies. Following Henderson, Lee Dutfield, development services specialist for Storm Lake, will share perspectives on housing and workforce development in rural communities.
Two panels, comprised of professionals from leading businesses and organizations, will also be presenting during the conference. The professionals represent Casey’s General Stores, VT Industries, Hy-Vee, Associated Milk Producers of Iowa, Storm Lake Community School, Sioux Center Health, Bomgaars and Center Fresh.
Pre-register now at: go.iastate.edu/WORKFORCE2025. Registration is $50 for the first attendee. If you’re registering more than one person, each additional person is $35.
Sustainable bedding solutions: Exploring manure solids separation and bedding recovery for dairy farms
By Daniel Andersen, Iowa State University associate professor of manure management and water quality
Using recycled manure solids takes upfront investment, consistent management and a willingness to rethink parts of your manure system, but it’s also a viable bedding solution for some farms. While most of us focus on how to move manure, store it and land apply it, there’s a growing interest in what else manure can do for the dairy. One of the more intriguing ideas? Turning it into bedding.
For a long time, if you asked what the best bedding was for dairy cows, the answer was easy: sand. Soft, inorganic, non-supportive of bacterial growth and cows love it. It doesn’t pack like sawdust or get slick like manure solids, and it won’t cost you in somatic cell count (SCC) if you keep up with stall management.
📷Credit: Progressive Dairy
From a cow comfort standpoint, sand is tough to beat. It conforms to the body and provides traction when cows rise or lie down. Because it’s inorganic, it doesn’t feed bacteria the way organic bedding materials can. That means a lower mastitis risk, fewer hock lesions and higher lying time. Sand bedding makes cows happy. And when cows are happy, milk happens.
To read the complete Progressive Dairy article, click here.
Minnesota tops National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest
The Minnesota team took the top honors in the 2025 National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at World Dairy Expo. Team members included Blake Siewert, Emily Mellgren, Nolan Kruger and Ashley Mellgren, coached by Kayla Sexton. The second-overall team, by a margin of five points, was the Wisconsin team of Alison Gartman, Campbell Booth, Natalie Mauk and Austin Kreisa, coached by Chris Booth, Sara Feldmann and Kelly Jens.
Top 5 individuals, overall
- Campbell Booth, Wisconsin
- Hayden Ayers, New York
- Zach Johnson, Vermont
- Emily Mellgren, Minnesota
- Blake Siewert, Minnesota
Top 4 Teams, reasons
- Wisconsin
- Florida
- New York
- Minnesota
Top 5 Individuals, reasons
- Cambell Booth, Wisconsin
- Lilly Larson, Florida
- Blake Siewert, Minnesota
- Hayden Ayers, New York
- Emily Mellgren, Minnesota
University Minnesota dairy judging team excels at World Dairy Expo
The University of Minnesota Dairy Judging Team won the Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest, held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo, in Madison, Wis. Besides winning the overall contest, the University of Minnesota team finished first in oral reasons. The team included Brady Gille, Alexis Hoefs and Keenan Thygesen, and was coached by Les Hansen, Isaac Haagen, Eric Houdek and Gabriella Houdek. This is the third consecutive year that the University of Minnesota has finished as the first team overall.
Top 5 teams, overall
- University of Minnesota
- Virginia Tech
- Purdue University
- Pennsylvania State University
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
Top 6 individuals, overall
- Keenan Thygesen, University of Minnesota
- Payton Van Schyndle, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
- Ali Landry, Virginia Tech
- Sara Kronberg, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Alexis Hoefs, University of Minnesota
- Brady Gille, University of Minnesota
Top 3 teams, reasons
- University of Minnesota
- Virginia Tech
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
Top 7 individuals, reasons
- Keenan Thygesen, University of Minnesota
- Sara Kronberg, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Natalie Yoder, Pennsylvania State University
- Ali Landry, Virginia Tech
- Emma Townsend, Purdue University
- Rachel Craun, Purdue University
- Alexis Hoefs, University of Minnesota
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