The Dairy Download

Live from Dairy Forum 2026, this week’s episode of The Dairy Download features two experts who are on the pulse of what’s happening in dairy consumption, pricing, innovation and nutrition. Tune in for insights from Niamh Kelly, chief commercial officer for dairy nutrition with Glanbia Nutritionals and Marina Crocker, senior director of product category and marketing with Hilmar! If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

Live from Dairy Forum 2026, this week’s episode of The Dairy Download features two timely conversations on the forces shaping dairy and the rural economy. Tune in for insights from Blake Alexandre of Alexandre Family Farm and Brad Nordholm, CEO of Farmer Mac, on what they’re seeing across the industry today—and what it means for what’s ahead! If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

How is dairy positioned to adapt to the new consumer? This week on The Dairy Download, we have a special episode live from Dairy Forum 2026! We hear from two guests who are keyed in on evolving dairy consumer trends: Jennifer Galardi, Senior Policy Analyst for Restoring American Wellness, The Heritage Foundation DeVos Center ; and Donna Berry, Food Scientist, Editor and Consultant, Daily Dose of Dairy. Tune in now to learn more! Thank you to Novonesis for sponsoring this episode! If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

What are the biggest opportunities ahead for the dairy sector in the coming year? How can we expect protein production and demand to evolve? And what are the expectations for global milk production and worldwide dairy demand as we look toward 2026? This week on The Dairy Download, we’re excited to bring together our annual all‑star analyst panel for an in‑depth discussion of the key dairy market trends and issues shaping 2026! Tune in to hear from Mike McCully, owner of McCully Consulting; Sara Dorland, managing partner at Ceres Dairy Risk Management; and Sarina Sharp, risk manager for Ag Business Solutions and regular contributor to the Daily Dairy Report! If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

What are the current trends in dairy production and consumption? In what new ways are dairy ingredients being used in other food products? How are dairy ingredients, textures, and flavors developed to meet changing consumer demand? This week on The Dairy Download, we hear three guests who can share expert insights into dairy consumer trends and dairy ingredient innovations: John Crawford, senior vice president of client insights for dairy at Circana ; as well as Kurt Riethman, senior applications manager of the Sweet Lab and Sydney Byrne, marketing manager with Sensient Flavors & Extracts. Tune in now to learn more! If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

How is technology playing a role in the modernization of farm operations? How are farms able to generate new valuable data streams? How can innovations impact efficiency and animal comfort? This week on The Dairy Download, we hear from a panel of experts at the recent DairyTech conference about how cutting-edge technologies are transforming farm operations: Owen Mickley, DVM, dairy nutritionist with Vita Plus; Nicholas Randle, senior marketing lead for dairy productivity and milk quality with Zoetis; and Mitch Schwieterman, operator of SchwietermanFarm. Tune in now to learn more! If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

How are emerging risks shaping the dairy supply chain today? What technologies are strengthening supply chain security and agility? How can companies reduce risk and future-proof their operations? This week on The Dairy Download, we hear from a panel of experts at the recent DairyTech conference about all things risk, innovation, and supply chain resilience: Jenny Drake, senior vice president of operations with Grande Cheese Company; Jeremy Ridley, technical director with MADCAP; Jonathan Braley, director of the Food and Ag-ISAC; and Thomas Chadwick, strategic risk consultant and assistant vice president with Marsh McLennan. Tune in now to learn more! If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

How is protein setting dairy beverages apart in this space? How are ready-to-drink beverages appealing to today's consumers? What can we expect to see in the future of this category? This week on The Dairy Download, we hear from two experts in the ready-to-drink beverages: Emily Johnston, vice president of brand marketing for Quest Nutrition at Simply Good Foods; and Matt Lally, senior director of analytics and insights at Shamrock Farms. Tune in now to learn more! If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

What fall-inspired flavors are dairy companies and brands offering? How do seasonal flavors appeal to consumers? And what goes in to developing unique flavors? This week on The Dairy Download, we hear from two experts about all things fall flavors: Ryan Murphy , senior director of marketing with Prairie Farms; and Jessica Dillon, senior brand director for The Laughing Cow and Babybel at Bel Brands USA. Tune in now to learn more! If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

How can dairy companies identify and assess cybersecurity risks? How can professionals stay ahead of evolving threats? What emerging risks should organizations prepare for in the years ahead? This week on The Dairy Download, we are joined by experts on cybersecurity: Jonathan Braley, director of the Food and Agriculture I SAC; and Chris Gaucher, senior manager of cyber security with Hilmar. Tune in now to learn more! If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

What's shaping the future of organic dairy products? How has demand for organic evolved and how has the marketplace changed? What are the challenges and opportunities faced by organic producers? This week on The Dairy Download, we are joined by experts with insights into the market for organic dairy products: Tom Chapman, co-CEO for the Organic Trade Association; and Cheree Tauschek, executive vice president of membership with Organic Valley. Tune in now to learn more! If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

We are celebrating five years of The Dairy Download with a very special episode featuring two dairy trade association leaders! How is the dairy industry evolving? What challenges and opportunities are dairy farmers and processors facing today? How are policy decisions being made in Washington, D.C. affecting the industry nationwide? This week on The Dairy Download, we are joined by Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association and Gregg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation to discuss how the industry has grown and adapted over the past five years and what the future looks like for dairy. If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

What is driving consumer demand for beef? What role are dairy-beef crosses playing in the beef market now and in the future? What is being done to improve the productivity of dairy-beef animals? This week on The Dairy Download, we are joined by experts who help us dive into beef-on-dairy: Brett Stuart, founding partner of Global Agri-Trends, and Lee Leachman, CEO of Leachman Cattle. Tune in now to learn more! If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

Pizza and dairy go hand in hand. What cheese trends are popular in the pizza world? What are pizzeria operators looking for in terms of pizza cheese? What is in store for the future of pizza? This week on The Dairy Download, we are joined by experts in pizza and cheese: Kelly Norton, senior director, enterprise brand for Grande Cheese Company, and Derek Lee, restauranter and owner of Pizza Brutta. Tune in now to hear this piping hot new episode! If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

Ice cream consumers today are chasing bold flavors, cleaner labels, and nostalgic experiences. How do consumer trends impact flavor and product development? Where is the future of ice cream heading? How will the supply chain react to new demands? This week on The Dairy Download, we hear from three ice cream experts: Logan Cisewski, technical sales manager and application specialist at IRCA Group, along with Rich Draper, CEO and co-founder of The Ice Cream Club, and Heather Draper, director of The Ice Cream Club. If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

Butterfat levels continue to climb in the nation’s dairy herd. How is domestic demand impacting this trend? What nutritional factors move the needle when it comes to producing more butterfat? What can the dairy industry do to utilize this extra butterfat? Listen to this week's episode of The Dairy Download to hear from two experts who are tuned in to milk production and demand across the country: Gorey Geiger, lead economist for dairy production and processing in CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange research division; and Steve Martin, MS, PAS, founder and ruminant nutritionist with DNMC Milk. If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

How has technology impacted the way dairy farms are managed? How have the components of milk—like fat and protein content—changed in the dairy herd over time, and what’s driving those changes? What's next for dairy farmers as processing capacity expands? Listen to this week's episode of The Dairy Download to hear from four special guests who work at the dairy farm level. They also happen to be family members of our podcast hosts! Ron and Randy Franck, Iowa dairy farmers and Phil's family by marriage; and John and Chris Noble, New York dairy farmers and Kathleen's father and brother. If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

Where is the industry seeing increases in dairy processing capacity? What factors are driving this change? How are dairy farmers responding to this growth in demand? Listen to this week's episode of The Dairy Download to hear from two guests who are tuned in to the factors influencing dairy processing capacity increases across the country: Rick Naerebout, CEO of Idaho Dairymen's Association; and Betsy Erdelyi, managing director with BMO Harris Bank. If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

How are sweeteners developed to meet the flavor profile and nutrition needs for dairy products? How can flavors like vanilla be used to enhanced yogurts and frozen desserts? What innovations are on the horizon in this space? Join us for this week's episode of The Dairy Download to hear from two guests who work at the forefront of innovation in sweeteners and flavors: Melissa Kaczmarczyk, PhD, MPH, principal scientist for North America, global nutrition with Tate & Lyle; and Darian Rottmann, vanilla specialist with Lochhead Vanilla. If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!

How can dairy drive performance for athletes and gamers? What are the benefits of drinking milk both for nutrition and hydration? How can we increase public awareness of the sports nutrition implications of dairy products? Join us for this week's episode of The Dairy Download to hear from two guests who are keyed in to all things dairy and sports nutrition: Leslie Bonci, owner of the nutrition consulting company Active Eating Advice - Be Fit, Fed, and Fearless; and Jen Grubb, senior marketing manager at MilkPEP. If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org. Like the show? Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!