Cow-Side Conversations

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts!In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Joel Krall of Furnace Hill Holsteins in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania opens up about how he has re-shaped his mindset to be content with the hand he has been given. From his passion for genetics that inadvertently led him to grow his herd to new partnerships that spurred him to form a satellite dairy operation, Joel talks about doors that have opened – and doors that have closed. He reflects on specific herd health challenges he has troubleshooted and how he has learned to accept help, even when he didn't think he needed it. Joel also describes some of his unique reproduction strategies and shares how life's unexpected twists continue to remind him about what matters most.

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts!In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Kendra Nissley of Jubilee Dairy in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania wraps up Women's History Month by sharing about her journey on the farm and trying to find a sense of balance in it all. While farming and family often go hand in hand, it can be challenging to prioritize your children, your marriage and your own needs when the day-to-day responsibilities on the farm are so demanding. Kendra reflects on some intentional decisions she and her husband, Jeff, have made in their journey to invest in employees, navigate the transition process between generations, and rely closely on outside experts – or as she says, “heroes” – to help them finetune the details and execute new plans.From sustainability projects and boosting pounds of butterfat to a value-added cheese business and grants that help them save money, Kendra opens up about lessons they've learned along the way. She says it's a neverending balancing act and an ongoing process of asking their family: How can we steward this farm so we farm it and it does not farm us?”

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts!In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Nate Mowrer of Mowrer Farms in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania describes how they try to create a well-balanced business for their family's eighth-generation dairy farm. This includes all facets of the business, both the hard and soft issues. On the herd management and cropping side, Nate shares how they use technology to be proactive with transition cow health, cut protein costs with high-oleic soybeans, and utilize GPS technology and a variable rate program with their crops. On the family business side of the equation, he opens up about how they foster a small team of employees who enjoy coming to work every day, build trust between family members as they established an LLC and continue to transition the business, and find balance between a profitable business and the farming lifestyle.

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts!In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Brad Hoover of Brook-Corner Holsteins in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania gives a deep dive on the breeding and genetics decisions he makes for his family's herd of 350 Registered Holsteins. From focusing on fat and protein levels to boost pounds of components to specific types and traits that lead to longevity, Brad discusses the ways they try to maximize herd performance and get well-balanced cows. Unlike a lot of dairy operations right now, Brad is raising more heifers than cows – and works to keep good genetics behind the cows to drive profitability as he markets most of the heifers with a premium. Brad describes the return (ROI) he gets from investing in genetics, registered cows, and high-quality animals. He'll be selling some of his animals at the PA Holstein Association's annual sale in early February.

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts!In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Joe Zug of Zugstead Farms in Juniata County, Pennsylvania defines what growth means to him on his family's 950-cow dairy. He reflects on major, growth-related projects like building a new dry cow facility and expanding their herd. Joe also shares smaller, more recent endeavors that are helping to drive profitability and growth: deciding to haul their own milk for cost savings, installing a lameness camera to be proactive about hoof health concerns, being aggressive with their breeding program, and hiring an executive coach to help enhance their “people” skills. “I don't think you can grow unless you are profitable,” Joe shares in the podcast. 

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts!To kick off the first episode in Season 5 of Cow-Side Conversations, Paul Mason of Mason's Chrome View in Chester County, Pennsylvania shares how the details add up on his 500-cow family dairy operation. From unique ways they keep employees engaged with production goals and understanding the “why” behind what they do to calf-raising protocols that have paid dividends, Paul reflects on all the little details and management decisions that are part of dairy farming – and how he finds balance between being content but never satisfied. He shares some of the new technology he has implemented on the cropping side with variable rate application, precision planting and zone sampling to optimize their acreage with the future in mind. Paul also opens up about how he has used grants to jumpstart capital investments on his farm and build buffer into the dairy business.

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts!“When you look at innovation, what can you do to your daily tasks to automate them, simplify them, and make them labor-friendly and super easy? That's where it's at – your daily tasks.”In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Josh Waddell of Apple Shamrock Farms LLC in Northwestern Pennsylvania talks about what innovation truly looks like – and how finding labor savings within daily tasks often gets forgotten on dairy farms. He shares some of the technology he utilizes on a daily basis and innovative decisions he has made to save on labor and drive efficiency. These include a three-cell lagoon system and sand lane system that helps reduce mechanization and labor costs by pumping manure versus hauling it. Josh also talks about the Afimilk cow monitoring system and feed tracking data he uses to make sure he's milking the right cows, a coherent group calving system and bedded pack barn he built for springer cows, and the unique system he developed for group housed, free choice fed calves. 

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts!We all know that on a dairy farm, it's very easy to go from zero to 50 in the blink of an eye – but nothing is more important than saving a life or preventing an injury. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Matt Carr, a third-generation dairy farmer from Westmoreland County, opens up about a farm safety accident where he lost the fingers on his left hand. He describes how quickly the accident happened, what the physical and mental recovery process was like, and the lessons he learned through the incident. Their dairy operation is a true family business with some additional Spanish-speaking employees. Matt shares how developing clear protocols for their workforce, while always remembering to have fun, is one of their top priorities. He also compares running a dairy business to the years he spent running marathons – and shares how keeping your mind in the right spot is key to working toward your goals. 

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts!In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Trenton Canon and Josie Offerdahl (the fifth generation on Canon Dairy in Mercer County, PA) share how they are focusing on diversity as a way to grow. In this interview with the siblings, Trent talks about some of their cropping strategies and farm management practices – from robotic milking technology to cover cropping and direct marketing with beef. Josie describes the creamery side of their business and how processing their own milk is helping secure their farm's future. As the next generation, the siblings open up about what brought each of them back to their family farm and how their personal goals both play a role in diversifying Canon Dairy. From pursuing cash cropping, a regenerative label for their cropping practices and an expansion of their beef herd to making all of their milk A2 through breeding and investing in a cream separator, they share how diversification is key to their future growth. 

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts!In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Andy Bollinger of Meadow Spring Farm in Northern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania reflects on how someone once told him that the best dairy farmers are not great at any one aspect of farming, but are good at three key areas of dairy farming: heifer management, cow management and raising your forages. He talks about the unique feeding system he has implemented over the years to maximize forage quality, how he has worked to boost plant and soil health, and how he manages a workforce of trustworthy and highly motivated employees. Andy also shares how his team has managed this summer's heat wave and what he learned from his parents about the farm transition process. 

“I got told ‘no' a lot,” Amy shares as she reflects on the years she spent getting her value-added dairy business off the ground. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Amy Brickner of Stover Farms and Destiny Dairy Bar in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania opens up about her journey to bottling her own milk and how the times she heard ‘no' only fueled her to fulfill her destiny: create a space for her community to see where their food comes from. With a herd of 80 milking cows, a Wagyu dairy cross beef herd, and an on-farm store where she sells her milk, ice cream, beef and more, Amy shares how she goes the extra mile to connect with her customers. She also talks about how she balances herd work with the value-added business, the vulnerability that comes with opening her farm to the public, and how she continues to dream big to move her business forward. 

For Mental Health Awareness Month, this episode of Cow-Side Conversations showcases how a unique friendship started years ago helps a small group of farm women located across the state balance the highs and lows of farming and family life. Katie Sattazahn and her family farm in Womelsdorf, Berks County, while Jessica Slaymaker and her husband farm in Columbia Crossroads, Tioga County. They share their perspective on why making space and grace for your mental wellness matters on the farm. 

Duane Stoltzfus of Pennwood Farms LLC in Somerset County, PA shares a glimpse inside their nutrition program, the feeding decisions they make for their 600-cow herd as they crop 2,000 acres, and the return on investment they've seen after implementing a feed watch technology system. He also describes the ups and downs of having a digester on their farm and explains the lengthy, but fulfilling, journey their family took to develop a transition plan that provides opportunities for the next generation. 

Too often, we hear about dairies that are exiting the industry or those without a next generation. We don't always hear how dairy farm families are positioning their operations for the future. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Yvette Longenecker of Penn England LLC in Blair County, Pennsylvania shares how they work to find the sweet spot between growth and profitability. With six partners, about 2,100 mature cows, 3,600 acres, 50 employees and three different facilities, patience has been key when evaluating new projects or expansions. She describes their current building project and how they are working to drive efficiency and better manage milk production and quality. Yvette also opens up about how to navigate a family business during periods of growth, when to embrace opportunity versus stay patient, and how they use benchmarking to evaluate the return on possible expansion projects so they don't over-leverage themselves.

Managing calves can be a challenge, especially when you're dealing with the up and down temperatures we've had this winter. But getting calves off to a good start can make all the difference in the future productivity of your herd. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Caroline Zimmerman of Dry Creek Farm in Blair County, Pennsylvania describes some innovative approaches her team takes to prioritize calf care and manage their youngstock. She shares her experience working closely with her veterinarian to ultrasound calf lungs and stay on top of pneumonia and other illnesses.  She also talks about how they are using sexed semen to manage their heifer inventories, the transition they made to group housing and auto feeders, and the recent steps they've taken to breed beef on dairy. 

January on the farm can be rough for everyone: you, your employees, and your herd. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Justin Risser of Meadow Vista Dairy in northern Lancaster County shares how his team takes it one day, one decision, and one individual at a time. He describes how they try to manage the dairy operation with an individualized approach – from caring for their crops and their cows to making reproduction decisions, managing employees and allowing change to happen between generations. Justin discusses some unique approaches they have taken with dry cow management and the impact those decisions have had on metabolic illnesses. He also opens up about his family's recent transition process, giving an honest look at farm-level, financial and relationship-driven decisions that went into it. 

“Cheese-making is kind of like farming. There are many different ways to do it well and do it right.” The holiday season is here, and can you imagine having to fill a bunch of orders from last-minute customers looking for the perfect gift? For Pennsylvania dairy farmers in the artisan cheese business, that's exactly what this time of year can look like. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Sue Miller of Birchrun Hills Farm in Chester County shares how her family is adding value to their small dairy farm (54 acres and 70 cows) with artisan cheese. Sue describes how they manage their herd to produce high-quality milk with an ideal ratio between fat and protein, some of the skills that are critical to her role as a cheesemaker, how they work as a family 7 days a week, and the community and growth opportunities that are forming through the resurgence of artisan cheese across the state. 

As we wrap up Season 3, Jayne Sebright, host of the podcast, sat down with Emily Barge, our podcast producer, for this special bonus episode to reflect on some memorable moments. Featuring conversations with 12 dairy farms from across Pennsylvania, this season included farm-level takeaways and real-time insight on everything from cow/calf care and employee management to transformation, cropping strategies, and farm stress.Thank you to the farmers who have shared their stories and to our growing community of listeners! We kicked off Season 4 this November with an interview with Neil Hertzler of Rock Hollow Dairy LLC. 

With fall harvest wrapping up, many dairy farms are looking ahead to the winter months. For the grazing herds in Pennsylvania, this means moving their herds off the grass. To kick off Season 4 of Cow-Side Conversations, Neil Hertzler of Rock Hollow Dairy LLC in Perry County, Pennsylvania shares how his family transitioned their dairy operation to a rotational grazing model years ago. With 240 milking cows, they are passionate about giving their cows as much grass and sunlight as possible. Neil describes some of the rewards of a pasture-based model, including strong milk production, herd health and longevity, and lower equipment costs. He also opens up about some of the challenges, including weather patterns, moving large groups of cattle, heat spells and lameness. 

Too often in Pennsylvania, we talk about dairy farm families who are exiting the dairy business. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Cory Mellott, Kerry St. Onge and James St. Onge – all middle managers at Molly Pitcher Milk LLC – share the unique journey of how their owners, the Jones family, purchased the dairy farm in 2022. They took an operation without a next generation in line and are taking it to the next level by bringing together a passionate, highly motivated team. Located in Cumberland and Franklin Counties, the team milks approximately 760 cows and focuses on cultivating a team of employees who understand the “why” behind what they do. Cory, Kerry and James share innovative approaches to managing cows between two facilities, building trust with existing employees, completing a heat audit for cow comfort, analyzing benchmarking data, and managing a digester and Air B&B rental house that are on the property. 

What does the expansion decision-making process look like? In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Tyler Rohrer of Rohrer Dairy Farms in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania shares how his family made the decision to invest in a 60-stall rotary milking parlor and expand to milk 1,600 cows. From milking more cows in less time to a healthier overall herd, Tyler describes some of the benefits and competitive advantages to their new set-up – while being honest about the hurdles and timelines that are part of any major dairy expansion project.  

For Oakleigh Farm in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, they went from a true, 1950's era dairy farm to a fully-automated, 21st century dairy operation in less than a year. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Matt Brake of Oakleigh Farm opens up about how a devastating barn fire in 2019 forced them to decide whether they were going to rebuild or leave the dairy industry altogether. Matt shares how their family ultimately decided to invest in innovative technology, including a vector feeding system, robotic milkers, automated curtains and fans, and discovery manure collectors. As the first fully automated Lely red barn in Pennsylvania, Matt describes some of the challenges and learning curves to making this type of investment – and how the technology has helped with labor costs, given them more time to manage at the cow level, and allowed them to focus on herd health and feed quality. 

“To me, value-added is one of the few areas of growth.” “Ice cream is a fun thing.” If you want your kids to dig in, you have to allow them to run.”  In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations (and to cap off National Ice Cream Month this July), William Lesher of Way-Har Farms in Berks County, Pennsylvania shares these thoughts and more about his family's dairy operation and retail store – which started out as a small jug store in 1970 and now sells ice cream, bottled milk, baked goods and more. He opens up about an evolving marketplace with new customers and demographics, advice for getting started in the value-added business, and how to begin the transition process when your kids want to be involved in the business.

In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Trisha Adams of Hoffman Family Farms, LLC in Potter County, Pennsylvania describes their family business and how Potter County's unique terrain impacts their growing season and dairy management practices. With a strong presence in their local community, Trisha shares some of the simple, but meaningful ways they connect with their community all year long. From hosting farm tours and providing whole milk to managing a growing “beef shed” on their farm, Trisha says giving back to the community doesn't have to be huge or overwhelming – it just has to be what works for you.  

“Rub some dirt on it” might work for physical problems on the farm, but it's not always that simple with mental health. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Jess Peters of Spruce Row Farm in Crawford County, Pennsylvania has a candid conversation about some of the thoughts and feelings that many dairy producers have about mental health. From opening up about her own experience with depression to the barriers that many farmers have when it comes to talking about their struggles, she reminds listeners that you are not alone. Jess shares her story and how several of her platforms are helping the agriculture industry have a safe, anonymous space to unload their secrets and take some of the weight off their shoulders.

Diversification is common on many PA dairy farms. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Daryl Martin of Dew Mist Farms in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania talks about some of the unique ways he has diversified his family business and said “yes” to new opportunities. From dairy and poultry enterprises to custom harvesting and manure hauling businesses, Daryl shares how this diversification has impacted their overall profitability. He also opens up about running a family business and cultivating everyone's unique talents and skillsets. 

Today is the first day of spring, and many dairy famers are already preparing for their spring planting and cropping cycle. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Shawn Saylor of Hillcrest Saylor Dairy Farms in Somerset County, Pennsylvania talks about his unique, regenerative approach to caring for their 680-cow herd and 1,500 acres. From cover cropping and planting green to drone technology and auto steering with precision planting, Shawn shares which pieces of technology were feasible for his business and why others weren't the right fit. He also describes the methane digester he designed himself – and how certain climate-smart strategies can equate to increased profitability on dairy farms.

With limited land availability on their home farms, many Pennsylvania dairy farmers are considering investing in satellite dairies. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Rod Hissong of Mercer Vu Farms in Franklin County, Pennsylvania opened up about their journey to investing in a satellite dairy in Virginia – 65 miles away from their home dairy farm. He also shares their unique approach to calf management, including a group housing facility and feeding  acidified milk. Rod also offered tips they've learned along the way about cultivating a diverse workforce and a team of dedicated employees at two locations.

Making the decision to invest in new technology like a robotic milking system or a compost barn can be exciting, but it often comes with a learning curve and new maintenance requirements. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Phoebe Bitler of Vista Grande Farms in Berks County, PA, shares both the benefits and learning curves they have experienced with their robotic milking system and compost barn. Enhanced cow comfort, soil health, and efficiency were a few of the benefits, while bedding costs, weather-related factors and maintenance responsibilities were all part of the learning curve. She also offers her perspective on the five key elements to calf care and how to remove stressors for the youngest members of the herd. Phoebe also discusses transition planning and forging mutual respect between each generation. 

Should you overcrowd or not? While some farms use overcrowding to increase overall profitability, others worry that individual cow performance will suffer if they overcrowd. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Dale Brown, a partner at Jobo Holstein Farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, shares how overcrowding has improved their profitability and overall breakeven costs. He offers helpful suggestions for how they've made it work and lessons learned along the way. Dale also discusses the benefits they have found in working with outside consultants and participating in benchmarking groups to continually evaluate their dairy operation's costs.

Especially during this month of giving and gratitude, being able to work alongside your family and serve your community at the same time is one of the most satisfying parts of dairy farming. To kick off Season 3 of Cow-Side Conversations, Jennifer Orr of Harmony Acres in Fayette County, Pennsylvania shares what sparked her family to enter the value-added space and begin bottling milk from their 170-cow herd. She reflects on their community's strong desire for a local food source, pandemic-related challenges, creative partnerships and products that were born along the way, and the memories she has built with her family throughout this journey.

With 7,100+ downloads to date, the Cow-Side Conversations podcast has remained true to our original mission: helping dairy farmers learn from other farmers. As we wrap up Season 2, Jayne Sebright, host of the podcast and director at the Center, sat down with Emily Barge, podcast producer and communications manager, for this special bonus episode to reflect on some of our favorite moments. Featuring conversations with 12 producers from across Pennsylvania, Season 2 includes farm-level takeaways and real-time insight on everything from farm transition, employee management and cow/calf care to cropping strategies, diversification and personal wellness. Thank you to the farmers who shared their stories, and stay tuned for Season 3 beginning this November!

Dairy cows are a lot like high-performing athletes. To help them achieve their peak performance, attention must be paid to every detail. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Tom Barley of Star Rock Farms in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, shares how their team remains laser-focused on the smallest details to achieve peak herd performance and production. He describes how they concentrate on employee culture, nutrition, reproduction and genetics, cow comfort and ventilation to maximize herd performance — and the importance of remaining open-minded to new perspectives, not defending the way you've always done it. 

“I always liked to rest at the top of the hill, not the bottom. I wanted to do that as I exited dairy.” “A farm is more than just a place to make a living. It's a place to live.” In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Frank Graybill, a retired dairy producer from Restful Acres Dairy Farm in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania shared these words of wisdom and more from his rewarding 47-year career as a dairy farmer. He reflects on his recent transition out of the dairy industry, lessons learned about farm safety along the way, and how he stays so positive and energized about the future. 

There's no price tag you can put on the opportunity to work with your family every day. But how do you find a healthy balance between your dairy farm and your family? How can each generation be a part of your family's legacy? In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Jared Kurtz, a fourth-generation dairy farmer from Kurtland Farms in southern Berks County, Pennsylvania, gave an honest look at what the transition planning process was like for his family. He discussed their day-to-day responsibilities, business goals, strategy for managing robotic milking technology and rising feed costs, and ultimately, the privilege he finds in working alongside his family. 

With temperatures rising and many Pennsylvania dairy farms experiencing July heat waves, proper ventilation and cooling measures are essential this time of year. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Clint Burkholder of Burk-Lea Farms in Franklin County, Pennsylvania shared his strategies for mitigating heat stress — including a new sprinkler system that keeps cows' body temperatures low while reducing water waste. He also offered his perspective on the return on investment for genomic testing and how to maximize forage quality.

As we celebrate National Dairy Month this June, Maria Forry, a dairy producer from Lancaster County, Pa., shared how Oregon Dairy Farm LLC's annual event – Family Farm Days – reaches up to 10,000 people each year. In this episode of “Cow-Side Conversations,” Maria described the planning process, the partnerships they have formed within the community to make the event successful, and why this type of agritourism event makes an impact for all of production agriculture. She also discussed the multiple enterprises and revenue streams on her family's operation and how their business has evolved over the years.

With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Michelle Kirk, a former beef producer from Adams County, Pa., opened up about how the unexpected loss of her husband has affected her mental health and her future in agriculture. In this episode of “Cow-Side Conversations,” Michelle recounted several deeply personal stories about how she coped with her grief when tragedy struck on the farm. She also shared what she wishes she would have known about succession planning and emergency preparedness.Note: We believe it is a gift when someone is willing to share something personal from their life in hopes that others might learn from their experiences. But we all know some gifts are harder to give than others, so let's really honor that in what Michelle shared during this episode.

With fertilizer costs at an all-time high, innovative planting strategies can help dairy producers keep costs low. In this episode of “Cow-Side Conversations,” Ben Peckman from Slate Ridge Dairy in Franklin County, Pa. shared what he does to boost soil fertility, keep costs low, and make the best use of his acreage. He also shared some of his innovative, tried-and-true planting and cropping strategies that he has learned over the last 10 years— including highly diverse cover crop mixes, a green planting approach, a seed-buying group with neighboring farms, relay cropping and more.

For Candice Dotterer White from Dotterer Dairy in Clinton County, Pa., raising steers and adding beef into their breeding program started out as a simple solution to a feed problem. In this episode of “Cow-Side Conversations,” Candice shared how it has evolved into a new opportunity to diversify their dairy operation by raising and marketing their own beef. She also describes what it's like being a woman in agriculture and how everyone on their team has their own lane, but works together to achieve common goals.

What is this all for? How do we make sure all family members are secure? How should we manage labor shortages and a changing workforce? How can we use technology to help build a legacy for our dairy farm? In this episode of “Cow-Side Conversations,” Donny Bartch of Merrimart Farms in Perry County, Pa. discussed these questions and more as he reflected on the complex transition process that comes along with a family business and multiple generations. He also shared their decision to invest in robotics and how this technology could help transform the future of their operation. 

When it comes to calf care and management, you don't get a redo. In this episode of “Cow-Side Conversations,” Greta Halahan & Virginia Deffibaugh from Singing Brook Farms in Bedford County, Pa. share how they get their calves off to a good start and how important it is to define your protocols to ensure excellence from the very beginning. With cold weather making respiratory issues more common in calves, they also explained how they combat the cold and commit to weight gain through colostrum management.

Happy New Year! With 2021 almost behind us, enjoy this bonus episode of “Cow-Side Conversations” featuring some of our favorite moments from Season One. Over the last year, we've interviewed dairy farmers from across the state – from Wayne County just a few miles from New York to Westmoreland County near Pittsburgh.  As dairy farmers, we all have something we can learn from one another. Being able to exchange stories and ideas is what has made this podcast so refreshing. Thanks for listening!

Our employees are essential to every aspect of our business, especially on dairy operations. With Willow Behrer Farms in Huntingdon County, PA recently being recognized by the National FARM Program for their efforts in workforce development, Allen Behrer and Pete Posnett joined us for this episode of “Cow-Side Conversations.” Listen as they describe creative ways they are cultivating employee engagement to help achieve their performance goals.

To kick off Season 2 of Cow-Side Conversations, John Kline of Lebanon County, PA shares how creating a successful transition plan for his five sons has helped them take on responsibilities and make decisions for Klinedale Farms and their satellite embryo business. Passing the dairy farm on to his sons – who he describes as a dream team – has also allowed John to embrace a leadership role with OnFire Youth Ministries and serve his community. In this podcast episode, listen as John shares the challenges that come with transition planning, the rewards of getting involved in the community, and the close-knit nature of the dairy community.

With October being American Cheese Month, Emily Montgomery of Calkins Creamery on Highland Farms in Wayne County, PA shared how she got her start with cheese-making. With her team making about 1,500 pounds of cheese a week, Emily discussed how she manages quality and consistency, drives profitability for her family's dairy farm, connects with customers, and navigates the growing demand for their products. In our 12th episode of Cow-Side Conversations, listen as Emily shares both the rewards and challenges of managing a small-scale creamery. 

Safety protocols are a critical part of your dairy business to protect yourself and your employees. As we enter the fall harvest season, Brett Reinford of Reinford Farms in Juniata County, PA opened up about a farm accident he experienced last November — an accident he describes as “a direct hit, not a near miss.” In our 11th episode of Cow-Side Conversations, he describes the tools they use to prioritize farm safety and also shares how methane digesters are impacting their operation, including new revenue streams.

One expense that is often overlooked on dairy farms is energy-related costs. In our 10th episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Josh Waddell of Apple Shamrock Dairy Farm in Crawford County, PA describes his model for success. Josh shares how an energy audit led to new opportunities and savings, and he breaks down several ways his family focuses on efficiency through cow comfort, other enterprises, and succession planning. 

Over the past few months, we have seen feed costs rising exponentially as grain market prices reached record highs and remain well above historical averages. With overall feed costs representing anywhere from 35 to 70 percent of the total costs on a dairy, Walt Moore of Walmoore Holsteins in Chester County, PA shares his go-to strategies for managing feed costs and efficiency during our ninth episode of Cow-Side Conversations. 

June is extra special in Pennsylvania. Not only is it June Dairy Month, but Holstein breeders from all over the country are coming to the southeast corner of our state to celebrate the National Holstein Convention and to spotlight Pennsylvania Holstein genetics. In our eighth episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Duane Hershey of Ar-Joy Farms in Chester County, PA shares how he uses genomic testing to improve his herd's productivity and longevity. Plus, he shares an exciting way he's connecting with consumers in his community during June Dairy Month with free ice cream!

After a barn fire in 2008 and a near fatal accident in 2018 where he found himself between a gate and an oncoming skidloader, Chuck Carr of Lone Oak Farm joined us for our seventh episode of Cow-Side Conversations to share his inspiring journey toward recovery – both physically and mentally. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Chuck described his suggestions and personal experiences with mental health challenges that are unique to dairy farmers.