Cow-Side Conversations
“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.
Podcasting since 2020 • 66 episodes
Cow-Side Conversations
Latest Episodes
Episode 2: Jeremy Martin shares how he unexpectedly found himself managing a dairy at 17 and how that shaped his management philosophy on the farm
In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Jeremy Martin of Mountain View Holsteins LLC in Berks County, Pennsylvania shares his unconventional journey after taking over management of his family’s dairy farm at the young age of 17 when his fath...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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51:33
Episode 1: Kerri Weber shares how an unexpected brain injury changed everything for their family and farm but how that taught her to celebrate each day
“I always believed I was bringing my husband home. I also believed he could not come home to an empty barn. I was going to do everything to make sure there were cows here. He needed something to fight for.”In this episode of Cow...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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40:18
Episode 12: Steve Harnish talks about the herd health data that matters and shares his leadership journey
In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Steve Harnish of Central Manor Dairy LLC in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania describes how they address bottlenecks on their 200-cow dairy operation, navigate land price constraints, and leverage certain...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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52:19
Episode 11: Dee Shafer shares how their farm moved from high risk to financially strong
In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, we welcome our first-ever dairy producer from outside of Pennsylvania. Dee Shafer of Shafdon Farms in Jefferson, Maryland describes her f...
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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43:05
Episode 10: Jennifer Metzler opens up about a recent parlor fire and the community support that carried them through the aftermath
In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Jennifer Metzler of Pleasant View Farms in Blair County, Pennsylvania opens up about an unexpected parlor fire and describes the aftermath – and recovery – for their 3,700-cow herd. Jennifer describes ...
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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34:14
Fan Mail
My name is Candis Bequeath. I listened to Jeremy Martin’s story. My father is James Baker. My dad has had health issues this past year that has given us a lot of struggles with the farm. My brother, husband and I have been working to learn as much as we can from my father with the time we have left. Listening to Jeremy’s story reminded me a little of the struggles we are facing. Thank you for helping him share that, I feel like it gives me a little hope that our situation will work out how it’s supposed to.
Altoona, Pennsylvania
