DAIRY NEWS – Dairy producers from 25 states and Canada gathered March 4-5, in Madison, Wis., for the 2026 Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP) Business Conference to glean the latest insights from the brightest minds in the industry.
The program featured more than 50 learning sessions led by industry experts, leading researchers, forward-thinking dairy producers, and inspiring keynotes who offered refreshed perspectives and tools to equip attendees for success. Keynote speaker John O’Leary roused the opening session audience to their feet for a standing ovation after his message about the impact they can have when they focus on serving others. He tasked attendees to always ask themselves, “What more can I do to make tomorrow better for others?”
Throughout the 2-day conference, sessions were packed with producers and other industry professionals eager to sharpen their skillsets, improve their businesses and connect with their peers. In addition, the PDP Mentor Program celebrated a record number of PDP dairy producer members who opened up their farms to college-age students who worked alongside them on their farms.
2026/2027 PDP board elected
Conference attendees were also introduced to their 2026-27 PDP board members. Members voted to re-elect incumbents Patty Dolph, Dolph Dairy LLC, Lake Mills, Wis.; JJ Pagel, Pagels Ponderosa Dairy LLC, Kewaunee, Wis.; and Laura Raatz, Wagner Farms, Oconto Falls, Wis.
Other PDP board members include Jake Hoewisch of Fremont, Wis.; Paul Lippert, Grass Ridge Farm, Pittsville, Wis.; Jordan Matthews, Rosy-Lane Holsteins, Watertown, Wis.; Heather Moore, Moore Family Farms, Maquoketa, Iowa; David Trimner, Miltrim Farms, Inc., Athens, Wis.; and Brady Weiland, Weiland Dairy LLC, Columbus, Wis.
2027 PDP Business Conference location, dates announced
A change of venue is on deck for the 2027 PDP Business Conference. It will take place March 16-17, 2027, at the Kalahari Resorts and Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. The event will feature some changes while once again showcasing the latest in relevant information, innovations and educational resources designed to position dairy producers and other dairy professionals for higher levels of success.
Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) is the nation’s largest dairy producer-led organization of its kind, focusing on producer professionalism, stakeholder engagement and unified outreach to share ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed.
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