Four management areas that differentiate excellent dairy producers from those that are average with Brad Guse artwork
Progressive Dairy Podcast

Four management areas that differentiate excellent dairy producers from those that are average with Brad Guse

  • S8E30
  • 48:07
  • July 14th 2026

Join Brad Guse from BMO and host Kimmi Devaney for a discussion about what sets excellent dairy producers apart from the rest. Learn which financial metrics they focus on, risk management strategies and how they build a great team culture while fine-tuning their own leadership skills.

Here is an episode overview.

  • [~2:10] The financial metrics that excellent dairy producers focus on
  • [~5:50] The role high beef prices play and how it has influenced dairy financials 
  • [~7:15] How risk management can make a huge difference for dairy operations
  • [~8:35] How culture and leadership impact profitability
  • [~9:55] Examples of how successful dairies build a productive team culture
  • [~12:30] Characteristics of great leaders
  • [~14:05] Tips to improve overall communication between all levels of employees
  • [~17:25] Steps to grow your leadership skills
  • [~19:05] The types of questions excellent dairy producers are asking their advisers 
  • [~21:15] What causes an A player to fall into the C category?
  • [~24:55] How someone can move from being a C player to an A player faster
  • [~26:30] How peer groups and advisory boards can help producers identify and improve their blind spots
  • [~28:20] Qualities to look for when assembling a peer group
  • [~32:20] Outlook for the remainder of 2026
  • [~38:20] Rapid-fire questions

Progressive Dairy Podcast

The Progressive Dairy podcast is for U.S. dairy producers and their industry partners. Each helpful, informative episode serves as an on-the-go companion to the reliable, trustworthy information you find when reading Progressive Dairy magazine. New episodes are released every other week on Tuesdays.