Dairy Stream

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.

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.

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.

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.

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):

How We Got Here: Norm E Lane in Chili, Wisconsin

How We Got Here: Solhawk Dairy in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

How We Got Here: Verhasselt Farms in Kaukauna, Wisconsin

Season 2: How We Got Here (2025):

How We Got Here: Ocooch Dairy in Hillsboro, Wisconsin

How We Got Here: Melichar Broad Acres in Port Washington, Wisconsin

How We Got Here: Scheps Dairy in Almena, Wisconsin

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.

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 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.

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.

Components and beef on dairy are the strong themes in this interview. We dive into a farm’s true net revenue, historic high beef prices and future items to keep an eye on.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guest, Dr. Megan Roberts, discuss the following topics: 

Structural shifts occurring now compared to 5-10 years ago

Diversification in dairy changing baseline stability

Three items to note on your milk check

Calculating a farm’s ‘true’ net revenue

Hedging strategies

Beef on dairy, herd rebuild

Cost of purchasing vs raising a replacement heifer vs crossbred calf

Less cull cows, what does the next 12–18-month dairy cycle projection

Keeping an eye on in 2026 and into 2027

About the guest

Dr. Megan Roberts is a seasoned agricultural economist at Compeer Financial, bringing experience in farm economics, agribusiness education and policy analysis. With deep roots in agriculture, Megan combines academic expertise and hands-on farming experience to provide real-world insights that help farmers navigate economic challenges and opportunities. Before joining Compeer, Megan spent years teaching agricultural economics and business in higher education, including leadership roles in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and as an Extension educator at the University of Minnesota. She holds a doctorate in agricultural education from Texas A&M University, along with a master’s and bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Beyond academia, Megan is a farmer herself, living on a farrow-to-finish hog, corn and soybean farm in southern Minnesota with her husband and son. Growing up on a dairy farm and now co-managing her family’s operation, she understands the day-to-day realities of farming, giving her a unique perspective that blends economic theory with practical application. Megan is a regular speaker at industry events and published author on farm business strategies and ag policy. Her ability to break down complex economic trends into actionable insights makes her a trusted resource for today’s farmers and agribusiness professionals.

This is sponsored by Compeer Financial.  

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. 

*Recorded July 6