Cow-Side Conversations
“Cowside Conversations” is a monthly podcast brought to you by the Center for Dairy Excellence. We’ve heard time and time again that dairy farmers learn the most from other dairy farmers. So, in this podcast we’re going to share real-time farmer insight, tricks of the trade, and inspiring stories from dairies across Pennsylvania.
Episodes
57 episodes
Episode 5: Kendra Nissley shares about balancing farm & family, harnessing help from heroes, and life lessons learned on the dairy
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 a...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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55:04
Episode 4: Nate Mowrer talks about being proactive with transition cow health, building trust between generations & balancing business with the farming lifestyle
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...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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38:52
Episode 3: Brad Hoover discusses his breeding strategy and having patience in building your herd
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 f...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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34:19
Episode 2: Joe Zug defines what growth means to him and reflects on new endeavors like hauling their own milk, installing a lameness camera & hiring an executive coach
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 facil...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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22:21
Episode 1: Paul Mason shares daily decisions that add up on the farm, new cropping technology that optimizes their acreage, and how he builds buy-in with employees
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 employ...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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1:05:20
Episode 12: Josh Waddell talks about finding innovation in daily tasks, using data to milk the right cows, and managing manure with less mechanization
“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, ...
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Season 4
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Episode 12
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19:55
Episode 11: Matt Carr opens up about farm accident, recovery, and keeping your mind in the right spot when running a dairy business
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 d...
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Season 4
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Episode 11
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41:32
Episode 10: Trenton Canon and Josie Offerdahl share sibling perspective on diversification, growth, and what brought them back to the farm
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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 10
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42:08
Episode 9: Andy Bollinger talks about honing in on heifer management, cow management and forage management
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 goo...
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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52:02
Episode 8: Amy Brickner shares how she started bottling milk, balances herd work with her value-added business, and continues to dream big even when she is told ‘no’
“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 Cumberla...
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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1:01:06
Episode 7: Katie Sattazahn and Jessica Slaymaker talk about farm, family, friendship, and mental wellness
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. Kati...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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55:54
Episode 6: Duane Stoltzfus talks about forage and feeding strategies, digester, and succession planning
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 imple...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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40:36
Episode 5: Yvette Longenecker describes how they balance growth and profitability when managing satellite operations, modernizing facilities, and working with family
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 L...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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41:41
Episode 4: Caroline Zimmerman shares how they use sexed semen to manage heifer inventories and utilize ultrasounding for early detection of calfhood issues
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 epis...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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56:33
Episode 3: Justin Risser talks about transition, herd health, and treating each animal, field and employee as an individual
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, a...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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1:01:22
Episode 2: Sue Miller shares how artisan cheese combines science with intuition, fosters community, and begins with beautiful milk
“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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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1:01:37
Season Three Recap: Here's our favorite conversations with 12 dairy farms
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 Pennsylva...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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15:12
Episode 1: Neil Hertzler gives inside look at rotational grazing operation & how to drive strong milk production, herd and pasture health
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 Ho...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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45:42
Episode 12: Cory Mellott and Kerry & James St. Onge describe how they are bringing new life into existing dairy operation through benchmarking, innovation, and employee management
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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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47:35
Episode 11: Tyler Rohrer talks expansion and how new rotary parlor improves herd health, overcrowding and employee management
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 mi...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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37:42
Episode 10: Matt Brake opens up about pushing forward after a barn fire and investing in fully automated, robotic barn
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 open...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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50:37
Episode 9: William Lesher shares how making ice cream and investing in a value-added business drives growth for the next generation
“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 Crea...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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40:44
Episode 8: Tricia Adams describes their farm’s unique terrain, growing beef enterprise, and strong community connections
In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Tricia 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 practic...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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46:54
Episode 7: Jess Peters opens up about farming, mental health, and how sharing our burdens can help
“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 ca...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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56:53
Episode 6: Daryl Martin talks about diversification and saying “yes” to opportunity
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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56:03