THE DFD (Dairy Farmer’s Digest) Podcast

Dr. Adam Lock

On this episode of the DFD, I had the opportunity to talk to Dr. Adam Lock.  Dr. Lock is a Professor and researcher at Michigan State University in the department of Animal Science. Adam has spent his career researching and teaching students about fatty acid digestion and the metabolism of the dairy cow, along with the effect of bioactive fatty acids on animal production and human health. Dr. Lock and I had a great discussion about this topic, with the main theme being that not all fats are created equal.
I hope you enjoy this episode of the podcast.  If you have any questions about this episode or future episodes of the podcast, please feel free to reach out to me by email at keithschweitzer@wfs.ca by phone at 1 (519) 872-0742 and please follow me on your favorite podcast player and on X @keithschweitzer

Dr. Mike Steele

Dr. Mike Steele is a professor and researcher in the Department of Animal Bio-Science at the University of Guelph. He is world-renowned for his work with young ruminants. In this episode, we discuss some of the experiments that his lab is currently conducting, as well as some of his past research and how it can be applied to today's dairy operations.
I hope you enjoy this episode of the podcast.  If you have any questions about this episode or future episodes of the podcast, please feel free to reach out to me by email at keithschweitzer@wfs.ca by phone at 1 (519) 872-0742 and please follow me on your favorite podcast player and on X @keithschweitzer

Mark Carson - Semex

On this episode of the DFD podcast, I have the pleasure of talking to Mark Carson, the Solutions Operation Manager at Semex.
Mark and I have a great discussion about how genetics and data are influencing the dairy industry today and some trends that we will be seeing in the future.
I hope you enjoy this episode of the podcast.  If you have any questions about this episode or future episodes of the podcast, please feel free to reach out to me by email at keithschweitzer@wfs.ca by phone at 1 (519) 872-0742 and please follow me on your favorite podcast player and on X @keithschweitzer

Joanne Fallis

On this episode of the DFD, I had the pleasure to talk to Joanne Fallis from Fallis Immigration Consulting.  Joanne specializes in supporting and helping farmers in Canada steer through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program.
Labour is the number one concern in the Agriculture industry.  Joanne and I cover lots of great topics related to navigating the rules and regulations involved in the TFW system.
If you would like more information regarding Joanne's business or need help with the TFW program feel free to reach out to her at fallisimmigration@gmail.com  or 1 (226) 929-2907
I hope you enjoy this episode of the podcast.  If you have any questions about this episode or future episodes of the podcast, please feel free to reach out to me by email at keithschweitzer@wfs.ca by phone at 1 (519) 872-0742 and please follow me on your favorite podcast player and on X @keithschweitzer
 

Dr. Luiz Ferraretto

On this episode of the DFD, I have the pleasure of talking to Dr. Luiz Ferraretto.  Dr. Ferraretto is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Ruminant nutrition and Research at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
The 2024 Corn Silage season is upon us and it has been a trying season for growers and producers.  Dr. Ferraretto and I have a great conversation about dealing with the challenges the 24 season has presented to us, and how what we do at harvest can and will impact the crop throughout the next year.
Luiz has a plethora of knowledge and experience when it comes to making the highest quality silages for our ruminant herds and it was great of him to share some of those with us.
I hope you enjoy this episode of the podcast.  If you have any questions about this episode or future episodes of the podcast, please feel free to reach out to me by email at keithschweitzer@wfs.ca by phone at 1 (519) 872-0742 and please follow me on your favorite podcast player and on X @keithschweitzer
 

Trent Westhoff - Cornell University

On this episode of the DFD podcast, I have the pleasure of talking to Trent Westhoff.  Trent is currently conducting research at Cornell University and will soon be defending his dissertation to earn his PhD.
Trent and I have a fascinating conversation about colostrum, and why we sometimes see reduction in volume as well as a research paper that he worked on focused on pre-fresh and post-fresh nutrition.
Trent is an up and coming researcher in the dairy world, and I'm sure we are going to hear a lot more about his cutting edge work in the future.
I hope you enjoy this episode of the podcast.  If you have any questions about this episode or future episodes of the podcast, please feel free to reach out to me by email at keithschweitzer@wfs.ca by phone at 1 (519) 872-0742 and please follow me on your favorite podcast player and on X @keithschweitzer

Tom Kilcer - Advanced Ag Systems

On this episode of the DFD podcast, I had the pleasure of talking to Tom Kilcer from Advanced Ag Systems and one of the pioneers in the photosynthetic forage wilting process more commonly known as "Hay in a day"
We have a great conversations about best management practices for this years forage crops with special attention paid to Winter Cereals and hay.  We also talk about a novel crop that he's been working with in Tennessee.
Tom has been doing work around making the best possible forages for ruminant producers for almost 50 years and brings a vast knowledge to primary producers all over North America.  If you want to learn more about Tom and his research, have a look at his website.  https://advancedagsys.com/
I hope you enjoy this episode of the podcast.  If you have any questions about this episode or future episodes of the podcast, please feel free to reach out to me by email at keithschweitzer@wfs.ca by phone at 1 (519) 872-0742 and please follow me on your favorite podcast player and on X @keithschweitzer

Nick Thurler - GET-Corp

On this episode of the DFD podcast, I have the pleasure of talking to Nick Thurler.  Nick is the President of Green Energy Trading Corporation (GET-Corp).
GET-Corp offers a viable avenue for dairy farmers to positively impact their sustainability efforts through the conversion of on-farm organic wastes to renewable natural gas (RNG), while creating nutrient dense fertilizer and providing revenue streams for dairy farms. The RNG generated from the digesters is sold to the market.
Nick and I have a great conversation about GET-corps mission and vision around producing RNG from on farm waste products. I have a real interest about learning about RNG production and how it can affect a producers bottom line.
If you would like to learn more about GET-Corp, check out their website https://www.get-corp.ca/ 
I hope you enjoy this episode of the podcast.  If you have any questions about this episode or future episodes of the podcast, please feel free to reach out to me by email at keithschweitzer@wfs.ca by phone at 1 (519) 872-0742 and please follow me on your favorite podcast player and on twitter @keithschweitzer

University of Guelph Panel Discussion

On this week's episode of the podcast, we have something a little different for the listeners.  I had the opportunity to host a panel where we discussed our careers.  I wanted to say thanks to our participants, Dr. Sara Robson from Grand Valley Fortifiers, Justine Dodson MSc from Sharpe's Feed Supply, Dr. Bruna Mion from Lactanet and Dr. Chris Church from Trouw Nutrition Canada.  
Also a special thanks to Dr. David Innes from the University of Guelph's Dairy at Guelph faculty who hosted the podcast for his fourth year Nutrition Group.
I hope you enjoy this episode of the podcast.  If you have any questions about this episode or future episodes of the podcast, please feel free to reach out to me by email at keithschweitzer@wfs.ca by phone at 1 (519) 872-0742 and please follow me on your favorite podcast player and on twitter @keithschweitzer
 

Aaron Keunen

On this episode of the podcast, I have a great conversation with Aaron Keunen.  Aaron is part owner of Mapleview Agri, a milk replacer, animal health product manufacturer and veal/calf research facility in Palmerston Ontario, Canada.
Aaron and I have a great talk about calves, what we are seeing in the country side currently and what is coming down the pipe with regards to calf health and calf performance.
I hope you enjoy this episode of the podcast.  If you have any questions about this episode or future episodes of the podcast, please feel free to reach out to me by email at keithschweitzer@wfs.ca by phone at 1 (519) 872-0742 and please follow me on your favorite podcast player and on twitter @keithschweitzer