The Progressive Dairy podcast is for U.S. dairy producers and their industry partners. Each helpful, informative episode serves as an on-the-go companion to the reliable, trustworthy information you find when reading Progressive Dairy magazine. New episodes are released every other week on Tuesdays.
Stacy Rethman joins guest host Audrey Schmitz in this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to discuss how she returned to her family’s dairy, Rottinghaus Holstein Farm in Seneca, Kansas. After teaching middle school science, she now helps manage their herd while educating consumers about dairy farming through outreach and social media.
Episode breakdown:
0:40 – Rethman’s connection to farming
4:00 – Journey from teaching to dairying
8:00 – Similarities between teaching and dairying
10:00 – Returning to the farm full time
12:40 – Difficult seasons
15:20 – Steepest learning curve
16:50 – Finding balance between farming and family
18:45 – Advice for other young women
20:40 – Sharing farm life on social media
1 Oct 2026
From Ammonia Control to Calf Performance: Lessons from the Hutch (Sponsored Podcast)
Healthy calves begin with a healthy environment, and sometimes the most important challenges are found right at bedding level. In this episode, calf producer and researcher Dr. Dave Casper discusses what led him to investigate ammonia in calf hutches and the results of his research evaluating SurpHace (https://bit.ly/4gS6C1e)® (sodium bisulfate) as an environmental management tool. He shares what the study revealed about ammonia concentrations and calf growth, and observations surrounding fly pressure. A great listen for producers looking for proactive ways to create a healthier calf environment.
Episode highlights:
01:34 – Why Study Ammonia in Calf Hutches?
Dave explains what first made him question ammonia levels in outdoor calf hutches.
03:44 – Reducing Ammonia with SurpHace
The study showed lower ammonia levels, along with observations of reduced fly pressure.
05:23 – Improving Calf Growth
Calves gained more than a tenth of a pound per day, resulting in about eight pounds of additional gain.
06:03 – Evaluating Ammonia at Calf Level
Dave explains why producers should assess air quality where the calf actually rests.
07:07 – What’s Next for SurpHace Research?
Ongoing work is evaluating whether once-weekly applications can provide effective ammonia control.
This episode is sponsored by Jones-Hamilton.
22 Sept 2026
Tara Hill and Emma Hill-Macmillan: A mother-daughter partnership in dairy
Tara Hill and Emma Hill-Macmillan join guest host Audrey Schmitz in this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast to chat about how dairywomen find balance between the farm and caring for their families. Learn how they work side by side on Charles Hill and Son Dairy in Central Onslow, Nova Scotia, and have a shared work ethic and passion for agriculture to advance their family farm.
Episode breakdown:
0:45 – Connection to dairy farming
4:45 – Finding balance between farming and family
6:50 – Difficult seasons and moments it felt worth it
10:00 – Differences in farming between generations
13:25 – Working relationship between mother and daughter
16:55 – Leadership strengths women bring to the dairy industry
Who has been a guest on Progressive Dairy Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Brook Duer
Lee Erickson
Matt Kaufmann
Kathryn Etteldorf
Dustin Jonasson
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
17 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 52 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
84
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
Contact Progressive Dairy Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
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