Dairy Stream

Latest Episodes:

DBA members help prevent local ordinance Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Members of the Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin’s leading dairy advocacy group, demonstrated the positive impact farmers can have when they come together to prevent unnecessary and burdensome local ordinances designed to limit the productivity of dairy farms.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guests Erin Tomasik and Paul Fetzer discuss the following topics:

Rock Elm township local ordinance in Pierce County, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permits
Conversations leading up to the committee meeting
DNR meeting with the town board
Testifying at town board meetings
Bridging the gap
Monitoring local ordinances
Running for local office

About the guests

Erin Tomasik is the Community Relations Manager at the Voice of Milk, where she works to ensure farmer voices are represented on local policy issues. She supports the organization’s government affairs team as well as its permitting and regulatory efforts. Erin collaborates closely with members to connect them with resources, participate in important town meetings and advocate for practical change at the county level. With over 4 years of experience in agricultural advocacy, she has a strong commitment to supporting farmers and the dairy community.
Paul Fetzer is a retired dairy farmer and his family is running Fetzer Farm in El Paso, Wisconsin. Where they milk 1,400 cows and farm 3,000 acres. Paul is a past DBA board member and was awarded the 2024 DBA Advocate of the Year.

Resources:

DBA members help prevent local ordinance in Rock Elm, read here.
Nutrient Management Planning resource
Livestock Facility Siting resource
Contact DBA team
DBA policy priorities
Connect with Erin, email Erin at etomasik@voiceofmilk.com

Learn more about the Dairy Business Association.

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.

Rewind: Orion Samuelson: "I want to be remembered as a good listener" Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Dairy Stream Rewind with Orion Samuelson on Jan. 13, 2021.

It was an honor to host the voice of agriculture. Dairy Stream's Mike Austin talks with farm broadcast legend Orion Samuelson about his over 60 years of broadcasting experience. Orion shares his favorite stories, gives advice, reminiscences on memories and shares future plans.

WGN Radio shared a tribute to Orion here.

Dairy Streamlet: DBA members help prevent local ordinance Mar 16, 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 March 18.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guests Erin Tomasik, community relations manager and Paul Fetzer, retired dairy farmer and DBA member board member, discuss the recent burdensome local ordinance designed to limit the productivity of dairy farms in Rock Elm township. They discuss the local ordinance, collaborative efforts, monitoring local ordinances and running for local office.

Resources:

DBA members help prevent local ordinance in Rock Elm, read here.
Nutrient Management Planning resource
Livestock Facility Siting resource
Contact DBA team
DBA policy priorities
Connect with Erin, email Erin at etomasik@voiceofmilk.com

Learn more about the Dairy Business Association.

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

Regenerative farming with Meadowbrook Dairy Inc. in Minnesota Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Details matter and our guest doesn’t miss a beat sharing insight on the challenges and successes with regenerative farming practices.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest Alex Udermann of Meadowbrook Dairy Inc. discuss the following topics:

Meadowbrook Dairy’s start in regenerative farming
Go-to cover crops
Making educated decisions
Soil health mentorship
Most impactful equipment for regenerative practices
Precision nutrient management practices
What consumers are asking
Conservation goals
Improving animal health from in-field conservation efforts
Perspective on feed additives
What’s next for regenerative farming

About the guest

Alex Udermann is a fifth-generation dairy, beef, and row crop farmer who operates alongside his parents, John and MaryLou, his wife Kirsten, and his brother Jake and sister-in-law Sam. Their farm focuses on regenerative practices including no-till, cover crops, and responsible nutrient and manure management. They also provide custom no-till planting, cover crop seeding, custom manure hauling, and direct-to-consumer beef sales. Alex serves as an active member and mentor with the MN Soil Health Coalition, helping educate farmers and communities on soil health practices

Resources:

Meadowbrook Farm website
Follow Meadowbrook Dairy on Facebook.
UM-Extension article on the Udermann family
MN Soil Health Coalition website

Learn more about the Voice of Milk.

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

Dairy Streamlet: Regenerative farming with Meadowbrook Dairy Inc. in Minnesota Mar 02, 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 March 4.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest Alex Udermann of Meadowbrook Dairy Inc. discuss regenerative farming practices, precision nutrient management, what consumers are asking and what’s next for the future of regenerative farming practices.

About the guest

Alex Udermann is a fifth-generation dairy, beef, and row crop farmer who operates alongside his parents, John and MaryLou, his wife Kirsten, and his brother Jake and sister-in-law Sam. Their farm focuses on regenerative practices including no-till, cover crops, and responsible nutrient and manure management. They also provide custom no-till planting, cover crop seeding, custom manure hauling, and direct-to-consumer beef sales. Alex serves as an active member and mentor with the MN Soil Health Coalition, helping educate farmers and communities on soil health practices

Learn more about the Voice of Milk.

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

Automating Hoof Health to Detect Lameness Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Every step a dairy cow takes counts. There is a new tool available for farmers to detect lameness before it’s visible. Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest Tera Baker discuss the following topics:

Basics of hoof health care
Automating hoof care
Accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI) findings
Materials needed on farm
How it fits into a hoof care plan
ROI
Lifespan of equipment
Advice to a farmer who is hesitant about adding AI on the farm
Future of hoof health care

About the guest

Tera Baker is the North American Marketing Manager for the NedapDairy Business, bringing a lifelong passion for agriculture and a career spanning multiple segments of the dairy industry. Originally from Three Oaks, Michigan, she holds a B.S. in Agribusiness Management from Michigan State University and an MBA from Central Michigan University. Tera’s career includes roles in pharmaceutical sales and leading the precision livestock sales unit at Topcon, and has spent time living and working with farms in Texas, Wisconsin, and Michigan in addition to national and international roles. She is especially energized by Nedap’s commitment to technology creation and its role as a key connector among leading brands serving progressive dairy farmers. Beyond her work at Nedap, Tera remains deeply rooted in agriculture. She farms cash crops with her family, co-owns a precision ag dealership with her husband, and operates a U-Pick flower farm experience. Tera brings a grounded yet forward-looking perspective on dairy technology, innovation, and the future of livestock management.

Resources:

SmartSight with Nedap
Article on Nedap ignites the era of AI-powered vision technology with SmartSight

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

Dairy Streamlet: Automating Hoof Health to Detect Lameness Feb 16, 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 Feb. 18.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest Tera Baker of Nedap discuss the basics of hoof health, automating hoof care, working with your hoof trimmer, artificial intelligence, ROI and the future of hoof health care.

This episode is sponsored by Nedap.

About the guest

Tera Baker is the North American Marketing Manager for the NedapDairy Business, bringing a lifelong passion for agriculture and a career spanning multiple segments of the dairy industry. Originally from Three Oaks, Michigan, she holds a B.S. in Agribusiness Management from Michigan State University and an MBA from Central Michigan University. Tera’s career includes roles in pharmaceutical sales and leading the precision livestock sales unit at Topcon, and has spent time living and working with farms in Texas, Wisconsin, and Michigan in addition to national and international roles. She is especially energized by Nedap’s commitment to technology creation and its role as a key connector among leading brands serving progressive dairy farmers. Beyond her work at Nedap, Tera remains deeply rooted in agriculture. She farms cash crops with her family, co-owns a precision ag dealership with her husband, and operates a U-Pick flower farm experience. Tera brings a grounded yet forward-looking perspective on dairy technology, innovation, and the future of livestock management.

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

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology on the Farm Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

In today’s fast-paced world, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly expanding, even in industries like dairy farming. Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest Mike Kutzke discuss the following topics:

Overview of the AI platforms and what is being used
Most helpful on the farm
Hype vs reality
Simple and advance examples
Where to learn more about AI
Data ownership
Government’s role in AI
Positive and negative implications of AI
AI replacing the farmer?
Future of AI

Collaborate with the Voice of Milk.

About the guest

Mike Kutzke is a life-long learner who is interested in technology, artificial intelligence, and how people and groups adapt to change. He holds an M.S. in Social Sciences from North Dakota State University and a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Mike grew up on a dairy farm and farmed full-time early in his career. He was a police officer for 17 years and has worked in higher education for over 20 years.

Resources:

Connect with Mike Kutzke on LinkedIn
Major AI Platforms: Claude, Copilot, Gemini, and ChatGPT
Dairy Brain with UW-Madison
SmartSight with Nedap

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

Dairy Streamlet: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology on the Farm Feb 02, 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 Feb. 4.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest discuss AI platforms, simple and advance ways to use AI, hype vs. reality, data ownership, government’s role in AI and the role it plays on farms.

Collaborate with the Voice of Milk.

About the guest

Mike Kutzke is a life-long learner who is interested in technology, artificial intelligence, and how people and groups adapt to change. He holds an M.S. in Social Sciences from North Dakota State University and a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Mike grew up on a dairy farm and farmed full-time early in his career. He was a police officer for 17 years and has worked in higher education for over 20 years.

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

2026 Dairy Policy Outlook Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

What agricultural policy items should you be keeping an eye on in 2026? Our guests share insight on workforce, trade and the farm bill while stressing the importance of advocacy with the turnover in Congress.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guests Heidi Fischer of Fischer-Clark Dairy and Michael Torrey of Torrey Advisory Group discuss the following topics:

Reflect on ag policy and what we can learn
Workforce, labor shortage
Exports
Positives and negatives of tariffs
Farm bill
FDA, Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Renewable Fuel Standards
How to advocate

About the guest

Michael Torrey founded the Torrey Advisory Group in 2005. Mike’s commitment to the critical role of agriculture remains the foundation of the firm, and he has developed an experienced, bipartisan team who is dedicated to working for the greater good through food, agricultural, and related industries. The team’s ranks include experts in science, nutrition, legislative policy, and trade.

Heidi Fischer is a dairy farmer and owner of Fischer-Clark Dairy in Hatley, Wisconsin, where they milk 1,100 cows and farm 2,800 acres. Heidi is currently serving as the president of Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative.

Resources: