The Dairy Hour Podcast

Pepperoni, Pepperjack, & Passion! With Paige Roberts

This episode is sponsored by Renaissance Ag!  www.renaissanceag.com
Introduction:
Host: Dairy Gal Val or Val Lavigne
Guest: Paige Roberts
Overview:
Paige's current role: Herds Manager for a 150-cow dairy in central Minnesota.
Transition to robotic milking: Recently installed four DeLaval milking robots.
Other responsibilities: Overseeing herd health, calf care, on-farm creamery (10% milk turned into cheese), and conducting farm tours.
Paige's Background:
Grew up in central Minnesota, surrounded by farming.
College: Initially a psychology major at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls.
Shift to agriculture: Discovered a passion for agriculture during an environmental science class in the College of Agriculture.
Career Path:
Post-college: Worked for a dairy veterinarian in Rochester, Minnesota, focusing on large animal vet tech work.
Transition to on-farm creamery: Connected with Red Head Creamery, working for Lucas and Elise Salstrom.
Eight years on the farm: Evolving from milking cows and creamery work to becoming the herd manager.
Adoption of milking robots: Quick transition from discussing robots to implementing them due to challenges in finding labor for milking.
Creamery Expansion:
Creamery products: Initially started with cheddar cheese and cheese curds; expanded to seven consistent cheeses.
Future plans: Doubling creamery space, adding a distillery for fermenting whey into a clear alcohol called raga.
Personal Preferences:
Go-to pizza order: Pepperoni with extra cheese.
Drink of choice: Hot chocolate (non-caffeinated).
Favorite cheese: Honey Chipotle or Pepper Jack.
Inspirational Quote:
"If you have to eat a frog, eat it for breakfast. If you have to eat two frogs, eat the big one first." - Mark Twain
Guest Question:
If Paige had to change her agriculture focus, she would choose row crop farming (corn and soybeans) for the enjoyment of tractor work and making hay.
Social Media:
Paige's Instagram: @Paige_Farms
TikTok: Limited presence, primarily active on Instagram.
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Cream of the Crop: The 76th Alice in Dairyland! With Ashley Hagenow

Guest: 76th Alice in Dairyland - Ashley Hagenow
 
You can follow Ashley in her adventures:
Facebook @Alice in Dairyland
Instagram @aliceindairyland
LinkedIn: Alice in Dairyland
 YouTube @Alice in Dairyland 
 
Please, if you like this episode, please share it on social media or with friends and tag @DairyGalVal ! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube @DairyGalVal and you can contact me via http://www.dairygalval.com
Introduction:
Welcoming Ashley Hagenow, the 76th Alice in Dairyland.
Ashley shares her excitement about being on the podcast and mentions the frigid temperatures in Wisconsin.
Role as Alice in Dairyland:
Ashley talks about her role as the 76th Alice in Dairyland, representing Wisconsin's agricultural industry.
Describes her responsibilities, including traveling extensively, promoting agriculture through media interviews, speeches, and presentations.
Highlights the honor of serving in this role and mentions the fast-paced and fun experience.
Background and Agriculture Involvement:
Ashley discusses her agricultural background, growing up in a family with a love for agriculture.
Mentions her involvement in 4-H and FFA, showcasing livestock species, judging dairy cattle, and participating in various projects.
Talks about her college experiences, agricultural sorority, and internships in the agriculture and dairy sector.
Decision to Become Alice in Dairyland:
Ashley reflects on her decision to apply for Alice in Dairyland, mentioning encouragement received after running for state FFA office.
Talks about the gradual consideration of the role throughout college and the decision to apply a year ago.
Expresses gratitude for the opportunity and the enriching experiences she's had.
Application Process for Alice in Dairyland:
Discusses the ongoing recruitment for the next Alice in Dairyland (77th) and outlines the application process.
Mentions requirements such as being a Wisconsin resident, at least 21 years old, and having experience in marketing, communications, education, or public relations.
Describes the application materials and interview process.
Involvement in Selecting the Next Alice in Dairyland:
Explains the role of different judging panels for preliminary interviews and the Alice in Dairyland finals.
Alice in Dairyland Finals and Future Plans:
Discusses the timing of the Alice in Dairyland finals in May.
Talks about her future plans after concluding her term, emphasizing a desire to stay involved in the agriculture industry.
Memorable Events as Alice in Dairyland:
Shares some highlights of events she has attended, including Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, Wisconsin State Fair, and World Dairy Expo.
Describes the unique experience of traveling internationally with the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin to Taiwan, mainland China, and Hong Kong.
Wisconsin's Diverse Agriculture:
Highlights the diversity of Wisconsin's agriculture, including ginseng, horseradish, green beans, cranberries, mink pelts, and various dairy products.
Personal Tidbits:
Discusses her love for cookies and cream ice cream and her go-to music genre to get in the zone, which is movie soundtracks without lyrics.
Shares her dream vacation, expressing an interest in backpacking across Europe, exploring different countries, cultures, and agricultural practices.
Closing Thoughts and Quote:
Expresses the importance of soaking in the experiences as Alice in Dairyland and making the most of the last few months.
Shares a quote that has inspired her: "Your experiences have gotten you this far, but it's up to you to keep going." Explains how it resonates with facing challenges and being a lifelong learner.
Closing:
Thanking Ashley Hagenow for being on the podcast and wishes her well in her remaining months as Alice in Dairyland.
Expresses excitement about potential future encounters and signs off, thanking listeners for tuning in.

From Pasture to Podcast: Unveiling the World of Dutch Dairy Farming! With Wilco Brouwer de Koning

In this episode we welcome Special Guest, Wilko Brouwer de Koning from the Netherlands, a third-generation dairy farmer.
Discussing the significance of Holland as a dairy powerhouse globally and meeting Wilko at the World Dairy Summit in Chicago.
Farm Operation: Brief overview of Wilko's dairy farm, location, and the scale of operation.
Family Involvement: Mentioning Wilko's family, including his brother and three children.
Farm Size: Highlighting the farm's size compared to the average in Holland. 
Detailing the milking routine, including sheds, milking robots, and grazing.
Grazing Importance: Discussing the significance of grazing in Holland and its impact on milk quality.
Community Engagement: Emphasizing the importance of connecting with neighbors and the community.
Challenges in Dairy Farming:
Land Restrictions: Explaining the challenges in starting a farm in Holland due to high land costs.
Quota System: Discussing limitations on phosphate and the challenges imposed by manure laws.
Future Challenges: Addressing upcoming challenges related to reducing the number of cows and managing manure.
Sustainable Farming Practices:
Innovations: Noting the presence of innovations on Dutch farms but challenges in their implementation.
Carbon Footprint: Discussing the need to address carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate levels on the farm.
Grassland Importance: Emphasizing the role of grassland in sustainable dairy farming.
Generational Transition:
Transition Story: Discussing the transition from the previous generation to Wilko and his brother.
Involvement of Previous Generation: Mentioning Wilko's father's continued support after retirement.
Global Dairy Industry:
Comparison with the U.S.: Comparing family farms in Holland with the diverse sizes in the U.S.
Global Dairy Trends: Highlighting the alarming rate of dairy farm retirements worldwide.
Fun Questions!
Closing Statements
 
You can follow Wilco on X @boertercoulster  on LinkedIn @Wilco Brouwer de Koning   and on Facebook @Wilco Brouwer de Koning
 
Please, if you like this episode, please share it on social media or with friends and tag @DairyGalVal ! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube @DairyGalVal and you can contact me via http://www.dairygalval.com
 

Royal Blue Cheese & Sustainability! With Ruth Grice

Lets head back to England and head a bit north of London to a dairy farmer and sustainability lover.  Ruth, a multigenerational dairy farmer, is one of 33 farms that ship their milk to Long Clawson Dairy, maker of the world famous Blue Stilton cheese, among a few other delicious blends.  This episode will leave you craving blue cheese! You can find Ruth on Instagram @RuthDairyFarmer
 
This episode is brought to you by @ZISK App
 
Please, if you like this episode, please share it on social media or with friends and tag @DairyGalVal ! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube @DairyGalVal and you can contact me via www.dairygalval.com

Dairying in Kiwi Country! With Richard McIntyre

Halfway around the world, you will find the dairy powerhouse of New Zealand!  Here on the North Island, as a shareholder farmer you will find Richard McIntyre and his family working hard on the farm and representing NZ farmers on a national and world stage!  You will learn a lot about dairying on the other side of the world and in a completely different way. You can find Richard on Facebook @Richard McIntyre
 
This episode is brought to you by @SupervisorSystems
 
Please, if you like this episode, please share it on social media or with friends and tag @DairyGalVal ! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube @DairyGalVal and you can contact me via www.dairygalval.com

Diverse Farming in England! With Gabby Emery

This week we travel across the Atlantic to the south of England and chat with Gabby Emery, whom has a great diverse background in many different types of agriculture.  She also has a wonderful passion for what she does and is a blast to chat with! You can find Gabby on Instagram @gjemry
 
This episode is brought to you by @BoviSync
 
Please, if you like this episode, please share it on social media or with friends and tag @DairyGalVal ! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube @DairyGalVal and you can contact me via www.dairygalval.com

A Really Bad Word Plus Some Inspiration! With Katie Dotterer

Join Katie Dotterer and I as we talk about her life, and how one day it was all turned upside down with the big bad D word!  She talks about how hard it is to go through a divorce as being a woman in agriculture with a farm and how she found her passion again and is still connecting to agriculture in a huge way!  This episode has some tough conversation in it, however if you are going through a hard time, it may help you see the light on the other side of the tunnel.
 
This episode also embraces the new year with some inspiration to help you bloom as a person and inspire you to do those big things you have been dreaming of!  You can find Katie on Social Media as @the_agvokate or www.agvokate.com
 
 
Please, if you like this episode, please share it on social media or with friends and tag @DairyGalVal ! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube @DairyGalVal and you can contact me via www.dairygalval.com

A Career Dedicated to Dairy! With Jim Mulhern

Join me as I have the honor to sit down and chat with Jim Mulhern, Retiring CEO and President of the National Milk Producers Federation.  Jim is known throughout the dairy industry as a hard worker and huge advocate for our US Dairy Industry and it was my honor to have him on and talk about some of the great pieces of legislation he was a part of, as well as more about Jim's life and how he ended up being such a policy powerhouse for the dairy industry.  This interview was a huge honor for me and we wish Jim nothing but the best with his upcoming retirement!
 
Please, if you like this episode, please share it on social media or with friends and tag @DairyGalVal ! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube @DairyGalVal and you can contact me via www.dairygalval.com

An Even Smaller Town and Big Goals! With Emily Reuschel

Let's chat with Emily Reuschel about growing up with small town dreams and then ending up in a completely different path than you planned on! Buckle up, this is a fun episode talking with Emily and sharing fun stories an moments of life. It also ends with a little bit of inspiration to get those goals in gear for the upcoming new year and how to set yourself up for success! You can find Emily on Social Media @emilyreuschel and on her website emilyreuschel.com 
 
This episode is brought to you by 4-D Ag Fashion & 4-D Ag World! 
 
Please, if you like this episode, please share it on social media or with friends and tag @DairyGalVal ! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube @DairyGalVal and you can contact me via www.dairygalval.com

The Making of Miss VT USA! With Jenna Howlett

This week we are chatting with Royalty!!  Join me as I chat with Jenna Howlett, the current Miss Vermont USA, and also the daughter of a dairy farmer!  Learn more about the great things she is using her platform to speak to people about as well as how the daughter of a dairy farmer set her goals on the crown.  You can follow Jenna at @missvtusa and @jenna.howlett on Instagram and @Miss Vermont USA on Facebook!
 
This episode is brought to you by Down to Earth Jewelry!
 
Please, if you like this episode, please share it on social media or with friends and tag @DairyGalVal ! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube @DairyGalVal and you can contact me via www.dairygalval.com