Dairy Stream

Latest Episodes:

Maestro: First-Of-Its-Kind Permitting Program Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Learn more about Prairie Estates Genetics.

This first-of-its-kind program provides farmers with the tools and resources needed to streamline the permitting process.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guests, Tim Baumgartner and Rick Roden, discuss the following topics:

Why Maestro was created

Complexities of the permitting process

Access to knowledgeable experts

Proprietary technology platform

Contact at the appropriate state departments

Support with permitting timeline

Support with ongoing compliance

Communication with Maestro team

Friends of Maestro

How to get involved

About the guests

Tim Baumgartner is the Chief financial & regulatory officer for Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative. He has worked for Edge since September of 2023 and developed the Maestro Permitting program during his first year with the organization. His previous work experience in agricultural lending and as a Operations manager on a large dairy farm.

Rick Roden owns and operates Roden Echo Valley Farm, where they milk 1,000 cows in Washington County. Roden Echo Valley recently went through the CAFO permitting process and worked through the Maestro program.

Learn more about the Maestro Permitting Program.

Resources:

Maestro Program

Contact Tim Baumgartner: tbaumgartner@voiceofmilk.com

Josh Meissner’s experience with Maestro

Past episode: DBA members help prevent local ordinance

Step away from the day-to-day and focus on what’s ahead at Dairy Strong, January 13 and 14 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Gain perspective on the markets, policies and innovations shaping dairy. Compare ideas with other farmers, bring your team into the conversation and return home better prepared to make strong decisions for your business. Register today for DairyStrong.org.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream. Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com.

Dairy Streamlet: Maestro: First-Of-Its-Kind Permitting Program Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Learn more about Prairie Estates Genetics.

The Dairy Streamlet is a condensed version of a long Dairy Stream episode and covers the high-level points of the conversation. If this topic interest you, then listen to the full episode on September 23.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guests, Tim Baumgartner of Edge and dairy farmer Rick Roden, discuss why Maestro was created, complexities of the permitting process, six benefits of Maestro and how to get involved.

Learn more about the Maestro Permitting Program.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream. Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

How We Got Here: Buck's Unlimited in Goodhue, Minnesota Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

Learn more about Prairie Estates Genetics.

Dairy Stream host Joanna Guza and guests, Dave and Chris Buck, fourth and fifth generations at Buck's Unlimited, discuss early influences, improvements to be better the farm, challenges, financial preparations and the future for the farm and dairy industry.

This three-part series is sponsored by the Menn Law Firm.

About the guests:

Dave Buck, fourth generation to own Buck's Unlimited in Minnesota, where they milk 1,700 cows and farm 2,000 aces.
Chris Buck, fifth generation, along with his brother DJ, to own Buck's Unlimited. Chris’s role on the farm is day-to-day manager of feed, young stock and feedlot.

Season 1: How We Got Here (2024):

Season 2: How We Got Here (2025):

Season 3: How We Got Here (2026):

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream. Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com.

Dairy Streamlet: How We Got Here: Buck's Unlimited in Goodhue, Minnesota Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

Learn more about Prairie Estates Genetics.
Dairy Stream and the Menn Law Firm are proud to present the third annual “How We Got Here” podcast series featuring dairy farmers sharing the history of their farm and steps they have taken to get to where they are today. The Dairy Streamlet is a condensed version of a long Dairy Stream episode and covers the high-level points of the conversation. If this topic interest you, then listen to the full episode on Sept.9.

This three-part series is sponsored by the Menn Law Firm.

About the guests:

Dave Buck, fourth generation to own Buck's Unlimited in Minnesota, where they milk 1,700 cows and farm 2,000 aces.
Chris Buck, fifth generation, along with his brother DJ, to own Buck's Unlimited. Chris’s role on the farm is day-to-day manager of feed, young stock and feedlot.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream. Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

Common misconceptions about farm succession planning Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

The topic of succession planning is something we will always continue to learn about and today we are taking a unique approach to succession planning and focusing on common misconceptions.

Dairy Stream host Joanna Guza and guest, Attorney Will McKinley, discuss the following topics:

Most common misconception
Who should be involved
Timeline
Estate plans
‘Fair means equal’
‘Sweat equity takes the place of wages’
Giving up control of the farm
Legal protection from outside forces
What you should be asking your attorney
Advice to young farmers

About the guest:

Will McKinley is the President and CEO of Menn Law Firm, a full-service law firm headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, with one of the state's largest agribusiness legal practices. Will focuses primarily on helping farms and ag-related businesses with a wide range of legal issues, but in particular, Will enjoys working with farms on business succession planning.

This is sponsored by the Menn Law Firm.

Resources:

Menn Law Firm Agribusiness resource
Contact Will: William-Mckinley@mennlaw.com

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream. Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

Dairy Streamlet: Common misconceptions about farm succession planning Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

The Dairy Streamlet is a condensed version of a long Dairy Stream episode and covers the high-level points of the conversation. If this topic interest you, then listen to the full episode on Aug. 26.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest, Will McKinley, President and CEO of Menn Law Firm, discuss the most common misconception of farm succession planning, timeline of transitioning a farm, sweat equity, what you should be asking your attorney and advice to young farmers.

This is sponsored by the Menn Law Firm.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream. Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

Labor shortage – What financially makes sense? Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

Labor is the second biggest cost on the dairy farm. We want to help you analyze the labor on your farm to see what financially makes sense.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest, Brad Herkenhoff, discuss the following topics:

Biggest money and time suckers on the dairy farm
Hidden cost with labor
Healthy labor-cost-per-hundredweight
Where to start when analyzing labor
Automation options and pros/cons
Low-hanging fruit with efficiency
Reviewing the balance sheet
Employee housing vs. paying higher wages
Effective incentive-based pay structures
Labor audits
Farm transition mistakes when it comes to labor team
Future of labor on the farm

About the guest

Brad Herkenhoff is a Senior Dairy Lending Specialist at Compeer Financial. His primary role at Compeer is to work closely with dairy clients providing industry expertise in finance strategy. He is committed to working with dairy farm families on identifying their goals and helping to work towards them. He works with dairies in MN and western WI. Brad was born and raised in central MN where his family continues to operate a dairy farm. His brother and sister-in-law have taken over the now 5th generation family farm; however, Brad is still active in the farm primarily helping with agronomy work as needed. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance at St. Cloud State University and has been in the Ag lending industry for 20 years. He is active in local and community events and has been involved in the dairy industry his whole life.

Learn more about Compeer Financial.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream. Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

Dairy Streamlet: Labor shortage – What financially makes sense? Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

The Dairy Streamlet is a condensed version of a long Dairy Stream episode and covers the high-level points of the conversation. If this topic interest you, then listen to the full episode on Aug. 12.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest, Brad Herkenhoff, Senior Dairy Lending Specialist at Compeer Financial, discuss the big money and time suckers on the farm, hidden labor costs, healthy labor-cost-per-hundredweight, reviewing balance sheet and the future of labor on the dairy farm.

Learn more about Compeer Financial.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream. Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

How We Got Here: Ripp's Dairy Valley in Dane, Wisconsin Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

Dairy Stream host Joanna Guza and guests, Chuck Ripp and Kailyn Kippley, third and fourth generations at Ripp’s Dairy Valley, discuss early influences, improvements to be better the farm, challenges, financial preparations and the future for the farm and dairy industry.

This three-part series is sponsored by the Menn Law Firm.

About the guests:

Chuck Ripp is a third-generation farmer with his brothers, Troy and Gary, and they own Ripp’s Dairy Valley in Dane. They manage more than 1,800 head of cattle and farm 1,600 acres. Chuck was awarded the DBA Advocate of the Year award at the Dairy Strong conference for his contributions to the Wisconsin’s dairy community. He is also an a board member of Yahara Pride Farms.
Kailyn Kippley is the daughter of Chuck and the fourth generation to be taking over Ripp’s Dairy Valley. She has been working as the herdsperson since 2022.

Season 1: How We Got Here (2024):

Season 2: How We Got Here (2025):

Season 3: How We Got Here (2026):

How We Got Here: Bomaz Farms in Hammond, Wisconsin
Next episode releasing this fall.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream. Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

Dairy Streamlet: How We Got Here: Ripp's Dairy Valley in Dane, Wisconsin Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Dairy Stream and the Menn Law Firm are proud to present the third annual “How We Got Here” podcast series featuring dairy farmers sharing the history of their farm and steps they have taken to get to where they are today. The Dairy Streamlet is a condensed version of a long Dairy Stream episode and covers the high-level points of the conversation. If this topic interest you, then listen to the full episode on July 29.

This three-part series is sponsored by the Menn Law Firm.

About the guests:

Chuck Ripp is a third-generation farmer with his brothers, Troy and Gary, and they own Ripp’s Dairy Valley in Dane. They manage more than 1,800 head of cattle and farm 1,600 acres. Chuck was awarded the DBA Advocate of the Year award at the Dairy Strong conference for his contributions to the Wisconsin’s dairy community. He is also an a board member of Yahara Pride Farms.
Kailyn Kippley is the daughter of Chuck and the fourth generation to be taking over Ripp’s Dairy Valley. She has been working as the herdsperson since 2022.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream. Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

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