In this episode, host Kimmi Devaney sits down with retiring DMI CEO Barb O’Brien to learn how the dairy checkoff has evolved over the last 25 years, which partnerships have been the most effective, why she is so excited about where dairy is right now and much more.

Episode overview:

• [~1:20] What first drew O’Brien to the dairy industry
• [~3:00] Why O’Brien is so passionate about the work the dairy checkoff does
• [~4:15] The dairy checkoff landscape in 2001
• [~5:40] Three of the most pivotal moments in dairy checkoff history that have had the greatest impact
• [~9:00] What dairy farmers told her during the listening tour when she first became CEO that influenced her approach
• [~13:25] Now-next-future framework
• [~15:35] The partnerships that have made the greatest impact in growing dairy demand and those that were not as successful as anticipated
• [~19:25] Measuring success
• [~22:30] Why O’Brien is so excited about where dairy is right now
• [~25:20] The greatest opportunities to grow dairy demand over the next five to 10 years
• [~27:10] What she is most proud of and what she will miss the most once she retires
• [~29:15] What influenced O’Brien’s leadership style the most during her career
• [~33:10] Her advice for successor Corey Scott as she steps into this next chapter
• [~34:55] O’Brien’s message for dairy farmers about the impact of their dairy checkoff investment

Raising calves is hard, and good help is harder to find. Dr. Jeremy Schefers, Merck Animal Health DVM, explains how SenseHub®️ Dairy Youngstock monitoring is stepping in as 24/7 "competent help" for producers managing tighter labor and bigger herds.

Conversation includes:

• What the technology tracks and why it starts at just 27 hours of age
• How early detection changes treatment decisions and outcomes
• Field examples of catching feed, weather and vaccine-related issues early
• The connection between calfhood health and lifetime cow performance
• What it really costs — and what producers can expect to get back

This episode is sponsored by Merck Animal Health.

A profitable herd starts long before first lactation. This episode is sponsored by SenseHub®️ Dairy Youngstock from Merck Animal Health, a monitoring solution that tracks calf behavior from day one to help producers catch problems early, protect long-term productivity and make the most of their labor. Learn more at SenseHub-Dairy.com.

In this episode, join host Kimmi Devaney and Ad van Velde for a discussion about educational opportunities offered through Global Dairy Farmers, the technology he uses on his dairy farm in the Netherlands and a look at the dairy industry around the world.

Episode overview:

• [~1:05] About van Velde’s dairy farm in the Netherlands
• [~5:30] On-farm technology
• [~6:45] Generating electricity on the farm
• [~7:40] Other on-farm innovations he is excited about
• [~10:15] Van Velde’s approach to sustainability
• [~12:15] About the dairy industry in the Netherlands
• [~14:35] Preparing the next generation to manage the farm in the future
• [~16:45] Global Dairy Farmers
• [~19:00] The Congress and other educational opportunities for members of Global Dairy Farmers
• [~23:50] The value of learning about the dairy industry in other countries
• [~24:30] The most memorable parts of van Velde’s Global Dairy Farmers presidency so far
• [~27:00] A look at the dairy industry around the globe