Bovine Banter
Bovine Banter focuses on management, production, and profitability to help make farms more successful. Join the Penn State Extension Dairy Team for informal educational conversations with dairy producers, industry representatives and Penn State faculty and research. Each week we will cover hot topics in the dairy industry that will help dairy producers become more profitable. Guests will compare research with experiences of what has and has not worked on their farms and provide tips to help make you more successful.
Episodes
110 episodes
Organic Calf Rearing: How Grain, Water, And Timing Shape Calf Rumen Development
Rumen development drives the future of a calf. It is the beginning of forage digestion, growth, nutrient absorption and future milk production. This is especially true for calves being raised for organic purposes. Join us on this week's episode...
24.5: Financial and Regulatory Considerations for Transitioning to an Organic Dairy
In this episode, Dairy Educator Daniela Roland talks with Chris Anderson, of Sustainable Strategies, to unpack the regulations, financial realities, and key considerations for dairy farmers thinking about transitioning from conventional product...
Ticked Off: Understanding the Asian Longhorned Tick with Dr. Hayley Springer
Join Berks County dairy educator, Kasey Hower, as she interviews Dr. Hayley Springer, the Animal Health Division Chief for the Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostics Service at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. They discuss the emerg...
The Grass Is Greener for Organic Dairy Producers Matt and Garrett Byler
In this episode, we talk with organic dairy producers Matt and Garrett Byler about transitioning to organic production, the family dynamic of working together, and making your neighbors wonder what you are doing.
24.2: Organic Dairy Production Tips with Dr. Brad Heins
Join Emily Fread as she interviews Dr. Brad Heins, an organic dairy production professor at the University of Minnesota.
Organic Dairy Myths, Answered
Jim Lawhead from Penn State Extension interviews Dr. Amy Kraus from Horizon Organic Dairy about the myths surrounding organic dairy farming.
23.3 Comfort in Important for Calves, Too! w/ Dr. Jessica Mitchell
Join Extension Dairy team member, Dr. Jess Mitchell to learn about her research on calf housing and comfort and why it is important to keep calves comfortable, too.
Hoof Health and Cow Comfort with Hoof Trimmer Chad Ripka
Join Dairy Educator Emily Fread as she interviews long-time hoof trimmer Chad Ripka about common hoof health problems and solutions.
Hooves and Health: Interview with Ag Engineer, John Tyson
Jim Lawhead interviews Penn State Ag. Engineer John Tyson about the impact of facilities on cattle health, primarily hoof health.
Episode 22.6: Farmer Perspective on Forage Management with Zane Itle
Episode 22.5: Pasture Management with Dave Hartman
Join Dairy Educator Emily Fread as she interviews Dave Hartman, Program Director of the PA Grazing Lands Coalition. about pasture management. Dave raises Angus cattle and Katahdin sheep on a 170-acre farm in Montour County.
Episode 22.4: 2025 PA Corn Silage Crop Recap
Join dairy educator Kasey Hower and agronomy educator Zack Curtis from Penn State Extension as they discuss this year’s corn silage crop as well as some upcoming opportunities to learn more about this topic during a webinar series.
Episode 22.3: Precision Nutrition Research with Dr. Leoni Martins
Meet new Penn State Extension dairy team member and faculty researcher, Dr. Leoni Martins as he shares about his work in the area of precision nutrition. Host: Ginger Fenton, Guest: Leoni MartinsImage credit: Penn State Dairy...
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Episode 22.2: Highlighting PSU Grad Student Research
In this episode, Jim Lawhead interviews 2 PSU grad students about their research on the fat nutrition of dairy cows and the economics of cropping strategies.
Episode 22.1: Penn State Feeding Assessments
Crops play a crucial role on dairy farms, and forages are arguably the most crucial part of a dairy diet. Feed costs on a dairy farm represent about 75% of total expenses and, in most cases, can make or break a business. Penn State Extension ca...
Episode 21.6: Transitioning the small family farm with Tiffany Kline
Episode 21.4: Thinking about Agritourism on Your Farm w/ Dr. Claudia Schmidt
In this episode, we'll talk with Dr. Claudia Schmidt, a Penn State faculty member, who will share her insight and observations about agritourism as a way to diversify the farm business. Episode host and guest: Ginger Fenton (host) w...
Episode 21.3: Farm Transitions for Success.
Join Angela Breneman and Michael Peachey from Acuity Advisors and CPAs July 15th on Bovine Banter to discuss farm transition. Angela and Mike discuss who needs a succession plan, what should be in a plan and how to start a conversation wi...
Episode 21.2: Diversifying for the next generation with Hayley Painter of Painterland Sisters
Join Dairy Educator Emily Fread as she interviews Hayley Painter of Painterland Sisters Organic Skyr Yogurt. Hayley, and her sister, Stephanie, started Painterland Sisters to help stabilize the milk market for their farm located in Tioga County...
Episode 21.1: Farm Transition and Diversification with Jersey Acres Farms and Stone Mountain Wine Cellars
"Join dairy educator, Kasey Hower, as she chats with Kent, Kyle, and Chad Heffner with Jersey Acres Farms and Stone Mountain Wine Cellars located in Schuylkill County Pennsylvania. The Heffner’s have a unique operation where they milk 200 head ...
Episode 20.5: The impact of HPAI on Dairy Markets with Colin Kadis
Join Dairy Educators Emily Fread and J. Craig Williams as they interview Colin Kadis from EverAg. Colin talks about how HPAI has impacted dairy markets.
Episode 20.4: A Farm Safety Conversation with First Responders
In this episode, dairy educator Daniela Roland talks with first responders Steve Brown and Rob Nese about farm safety and emergency response on the farm. They share practical tips for implementing farm safety and insights that farmers can use o...
Episode 20.3: Manure Storage Safety
Join Angela Breneman, Dairy Management Educator, and John Williamson from Team AG for tips on how to keep you, your family, and your employees safe around manure storage systems this spring
Episode 20.2: Focusing on Family Health and Safety on Farms with Dr. Florence Becot
In this episode, Dr. Becot shares her insights about multiple generations working on the farm with considerations for health insurance, childcare, and keeping everyone safe on the farm. Episode host and speaker: Ginger Fenton ...