Cow-Side Conversations

Mar 03 2025 56 ep. 41 mins 12
Cow-Side Conversations Podcast artwork

“Cowside Conversations” is a monthly podcast brought to you by the Center for Dairy Excellence. We’ve heard time and time again that dairy farmers learn the most from other dairy farmers. So, in this podcast we’re going to share real-time farmer insight, tricks of the trade, and inspiring stories from dairies across Pennsylvania.

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Episode 4: Nate Mowrer talks about being proactive with transition cow health, building trust between generations & balancing business with the farming lifestyle

Mar 03 2025 38 mins  
Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Nate Mowrer of Mowrer Farms in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania describes how they try to create a well-balanced business for their family’s eighth-generation dairy farm. This includes all facets of the business, both the hard and soft issues. On the herd managemen

Episode 3: Brad Hoover discusses his breeding strategy and having patience in building your herd

Jan 29 2025 34 mins  
Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Brad Hoover of Brook-Corner Holsteins in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania gives a deep dive on the breeding and genetics decisions he makes for his family’s herd of 350 Registered Holsteins. From focusing on fat and protein levels to boost pounds of components to spec

Episode 2: Joe Zug defines what growth means to him and reflects on new endeavors like hauling their own milk, installing a lameness camera & hiring an executive coach

Dec 19 2024 22 mins  
Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Joe Zug of Zugstead Farms in Juniata County, Pennsylvania defines what growth means to him on his family’s 950-cow dairy. He reflects on major, growth-related projects like building a new dry cow facility and expanding their herd. Joe also shares smaller, more rec

Episode 1: Paul Mason shares daily decisions that add up on the farm, new cropping technology that optimizes their acreage, and how he builds buy-in with employees

Nov 24 2024 65 mins  
Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! To kick off the first episode in Season 5 of Cow-Side Conversations, Paul Mason of Mason’s Chrome View in Chester County, Pennsylvania shares how the details add up on his 500-cow family dairy operation. From unique ways they keep employees engaged with production goals and understanding the “why” behi

Episode 12: Josh Waddell talks about finding innovation in daily tasks, using data to milk the right cows, and managing manure with less mechanization

Oct 30 2024 19 mins  
Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! “When you look at innovation, what can you do to your daily tasks to automate them, simplify them, and make them labor-friendly and super easy? That’s where it’s at – your daily tasks.” In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Josh Waddell of Apple Shamrock Farms LLC in Northwestern Pennsylvania

Episode 11: Matt Carr opens up about farm accident, recovery, and keeping your mind in the right spot when running a dairy business

Sep 26 2024 41 mins  
Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! We all know that on a dairy farm, it’s very easy to go from zero to 50 in the blink of an eye – but nothing is more important than saving a life or preventing an injury. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Matt Carr, a third-generation dairy farmer from Westmoreland County, opens up about a farm s

Episode 10: Trenton Canon and Josie Offerdahl share sibling perspective on diversification, growth, and what brought them back to the farm

Aug 30 2024 42 mins  
Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Trenton Canon and Josie Offerdahl (the fifth generation on Canon Dairy in Mercer County, PA) share how they are focusing on diversity as a way to grow. In this interview with the siblings, Trent talks about some of their cropping strategies and farm management pract

Episode 9: Andy Bollinger talks about honing in on heifer management, cow management and forage management

Jul 24 2024 52 mins  
Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Andy Bollinger of Meadow Spring Farm in Northern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania reflects on how someone once told him that the best dairy farmers are not great at any one aspect of farming, but are good at three key areas of dairy farming: heifer management, cow man

Episode 8: Amy Brickner shares how she started bottling milk, balances herd work with her value-added business, and continues to dream big even when she is told ‘no’

Jun 26 2024 61 mins  
Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! “I got told ‘no’ a lot,” Amy shares as she reflects on the years she spent getting her value-added dairy business off the ground. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Amy Brickner of Stover Farms and Destiny Dairy Bar in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania opens up about her journey to bottling her

Episode 7: Katie Sattazahn and Jessica Slaymaker talk about farm, family, friendship, and mental wellness

May 30 2024 55 mins  
Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! For Mental Health Awareness Month, this episode of Cow-Side Conversations showcases how a unique friendship started years ago helps a small group of farm women located across the state balance the highs and lows of farming and family life. Katie Sattazahn and her family farm in Womelsdorf, Berks County, whil