Your Dairy Checkoff

Hosted by Don Schindler

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May 2026

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About the show

The Your Dairy Checkoff podcast is a collaboration between national and local checkoff organizations to showcase examples of how dairy promotion programs are working together to build dairy sales and consumption as well as consumer trust in today's changing marketplace to maximize dairy farmers checkoff investment. Each episode will be hosted by dairy farmers or industry experts. Listeners will hear dairy farmer conversations on local, national, and global dairy promotion including consumer research, dairy nutrition, science, and issues updates. Farmers will help guide the selection of topics through listener feedback. To listen, subscribe to the Your Dairy Checkoff podcast on your favorite podcast platforms including Stitcher, Spotify and iTunes.

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60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 1519 min

Episode 48 – How Lactose-Free Milk in Schools Increased Dairy Consumption

What happens when schools offer students a lactose-free milk option? In this episode of Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast, Theresa Reps sits down with Scott Higgins for a Regional Rundown Segment to discuss a groundbreaking pilot program in Cincinnati Public Schools that is helping more students choose milk at mealtime. The pilot introduced shelf-stable lactose-free white and chocolate milk to students and delivered impressive results including increased milk consumption, higher meal participation and strong student response, especially for chocolate milk. Scott shares how the program came to life through trusted partnerships with school nutrition leaders, the role dairy checkoff played in identifying unmet demand and how the results are creating new opportunities for processors and school districts across the country. Tune in to hear how innovation, collaboration and consumer insights are helping dairy meet students where they are while growing demand for milk in schools. To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com. Host & Guest · Host: Theresa Reps, Director of Farmer Outreach, Dairy Management Inc. · Guest: Scott Higgins, President & CEO, American Dairy Association Mideast

May 6, 2026Episode 149 min

Episode 47 – The Dairy Industry Isn't Guessing - How Checkoff Uses Data to Build Demand

DMI's Gail Legaspi-Gaull, Group EVP of Strategic Insights and Planning, joins DMI's Scott Wallin to break down how strategic intelligence is helping the dairy industry stay ahead of change. From analyzing consumer behavior and market trends to forecasting what's next, Gail explains how these insights are used to shape marketing, drive product innovation, and support global partnerships that grow demand for dairy. She also shares what this means for farmers—allowing them to stay focused on the farm while checkoff works to build demand for their milk today and for years to come. To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com. Host & Guest: Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc. Guest: Gail Legaspi-Gaull, Group EVP of Strategic Insights and Planning, Dairy Management Inc.

March 31, 2026Episode 1329 min

Episode 46 - From Momentum to More: Dairy's 2025 Wins & 2026 Vision

What did dairy checkoff achieve in 2025—and where is the industry headed next? In this episode of Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast, dairy farmer and DMI Chair Marilyn Hershey sits down with DMI President and CEO Barb O'Brien to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the opportunities shaping dairy's future. From record-breaking exports and rising consumer demand for protein to cutting-edge science and new product innovation, O'Brien and Hershey reflect on 2025. Unpack how checkoff investments are driving growth, building trust and how dairy can help be a solution for health, sustainability and modern lifestyles. Listen now to hear how your checkoff is building momentum and creating new opportunities for dairy. To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com. Host & Guest: · Host: Marilyn Hershey, Pennsylvania dairy farmer and Chair of Dairy Management Inc. · Guest: Barb O'Brien, President and CEO of Dairy Management Inc.

March 2, 2026Episode 1218 min

Episode 45 - What You Should Know About The 2025 Dietary Guidelines For Americans and Whole Milk In Schools

DMI's Kuda Lamin-Bangura, Senior Vice President of Scientific Affairs, and Katie Bambacht, Vice President of Nutrition Affairs at the National Dairy Council, chat with DMI's Scott Wallin about what the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which strongly affirm dairy's role as an essential part of a healthy diet, recognizing milk, cheese, and yogurt at all fat levels—including whole milk—as beneficial. Kuda and Katie also talk about the impact of the signing of the "Whole Milk for Healthy Kids" act after being signed into law by President Trump, and what effect it could have on school lunch programs. To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com. Host & Guest: Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc. Guest: Kuda Lamin-Bangura, Senior Vice President of Scientific Affairs, National Dairy Council Guest: Katie Bambacht, Vice President of Nutrition Affairs, National Dairy Council

December 16, 2025Episode 1117 min

Episode 44 - Behind the Numbers: The True Impact of the Dairy Checkoff

In this episode of Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast, economist Dr. Oral Capps of Texas A&M University breaks down more than a decade of independent research measuring the impact of the dairy checkoff. Speaking from the 2025 Joint Annual Meeting, Dr. Capps shares how checkoff investments across food service partnerships, fluid milk innovation, whole-fat dairy science and exports are delivering strong, measurable returns for U.S. dairy farmers. He explains the rigorous, peer-reviewed process behind his analysis, the role of third-party credibility and why programs like lactose-free milk, whole milk, butter and product innovation have contributed to a turnaround in fluid milk consumption. Dr. Capps also offers a farmer-focused perspective on what the checkoff means for the all-milk price and what the industry could look like without these efforts. This is a revealing look at the data, the methodology and the real-world outcomes demonstrating that checkoff investments are paying off—and strengthening dairy's future. To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com. Host & Guest Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc. Guest: Dr. Oral Capps, Executive & Regents Professor, Texas A & M University

November 11, 2025Episode 1018 min

Episode 43: The Dairy Difference: Advocating for Better School Meals With Smart Swaps

DMI's Katie Bambacht, Vice President of Nutrition Affairs at the National Dairy Council, speaks with DMI's Scott Wallin about how the checkoff is working directly with schools to improve school lunches (with dairy being front and center) by collaborating with the School Nutrition Association. Katie explains that nearly 30 million students participate in school meal programs daily, with dairy providing significant nutrients, while emphasizing the critical role of school meals in addressing food insecurity and improving academic performance. She also covers the "Made with School Lunch" campaign, which aims to change perceptions of school meals, and the "Smart Swaps" initiative, which helps schools meet evolving USDA standards while maintaining dairy offerings. The discussion also touches on the potential of whole milk in schools and future projects with the School Nutrition Association. To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com. Host & Guest: · Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc. · Guest: Katie Bambacht, Vice President of Nutrition Affairs, National Dairy Council

October 14, 2025Episode 924 min

Episode 42: Winners Drink Milk: How Dairy Shines at the Indianapolis 500

In this Regional Rundown segment of the Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast, host Theresa Reps talks with Brooke Williams, Director of Communications for the American Dairy Association Indiana, about the deep connection between dairy farmers and the Indianapolis 500 tradition. Williams explains how the Indy 500's iconic "Winners Drink Milk" moment began in 1936 and sparked a beloved tradition that continues today. Each year, two Indiana dairy farmers are chosen to present milk to the winning driver, undergoing media training and public engagement to represent dairy farmers statewide. The partnership generates enormous visibility for dairy—over $7 million in media value and more than 8 million race-day viewers in 2025. This year's innovations included a collaboration with Prairie Farms, featuring special-edition milk bottles and school cartons with Indy 500 themes, which boosted milk sales and fan engagement. Williams emphasizes that the Indy 500 tradition not only celebrates the winning driver but also honors the dedication of dairy farmers everywhere—reminding listeners that "Winners drink milk." To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com. Host & Guest Host: Theresa Reps, Director of Farmer Outreach, Dairy Management Inc. Guest: Brook Williams, Director of Communications, American Dairy Association Indiana

September 16, 2025Episode 818 min

Episode 41 - Whole Milk's Comeback: What Checkoff-Led Science Reveals

Discover the Latest Milk Fat Research on Whole Milk and Dairy Foods DMI's Dr. Chris Cifelli, Senior Vice President of Nutrition Research at National Dairy Council, speaks with DMI's Scott Wallin about how the checkoff is expanding the body of science around whole milk, cheese, and yogurt. With more than 80 studies conducted over the last 20 years, the milk fat research shows that these foods not only help support childhood growth but may also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and fit into heart-healthy diets. Cifelli explains how the unique makeup of dairy fat—especially components like oleic acid—plays a vital role in supporting better health. He also underscores the need to translate this science into clear messages for both consumers and health professionals and how the checkoff constantly shares these messages with nutrition professionals. Looking ahead, his research team will continue to explore how dairy contributes to lowering cardiometabolic disease risk and the benefits of dairy's unique fatty acids. To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com. Host & Guest: · Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc. · Guest: Dr. Chris Cifelli, Senior Vice President of Nutrition Research, Dairy Management Inc.

August 13, 2025Episode 729 min

Episode 40 – Revitalizing the Dairy Aisle: How ADANE Boosts Sales & Strengthens Retail Partnerships

In this inaugural Regional Rundown segment of the Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast, DMI's Theresa Reps is joined by Nick DePalma and Kim Villani from the American Dairy Association Northeast (ADANE) to spotlight their impactful work with retailers. They discuss two major initiatives – the Dairy Aisle Performance Program and the Dairy Aisle Reinvention Program – and how these efforts drive sales, improve product availability and create better shopping experiences for consumers. From tackling out-of-stock challenges and enhancing dairy case hygiene to using data-driven insights to expand dairy shelf space, Nick and Kim share how these programs help prioritize milk and dairy products in more than 40 retail chains across the Northeast. Farmers will also hear how these strong retailer relationships benefit their bottom line and how consumer trends like protein snacking and local farm storytelling are shaping dairy's future in stores. Tune in to learn more! To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com Host & Guest Host: Theresa Reps, Director of Farmer Outreach, Dairy Management Inc. Guest: Nick Depalma, Vice President of Retail Services, American Dairy Association North East Guest: Kim Villani, Senior Director of Retail Services, American Dairy Association North East

July 15, 2025Episode 626 min

Episode 39 – Where Does U.S. Dairy Want To Win Worldwide?

Learn About The Top Global Markets Targeted by the U.S. Dairy Export Council DMI's Scott Wallin explores how your dairy checkoff resources are driving global demand for U.S. dairy with Becky Nyman, a fourth-generation California dairy farmer and chair of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), and Rick Ortman, USDEC's Senior VP of Strategic Insights. Rick highlights USDEC's mission to make U.S. dairy the supplier of choice worldwide—backed by rigorous market research and strategic insights while Becky shares the importance of uniting farmers, processors, and manufacturers under one global voice. With nearly 20% of all U.S. milk production already feeding international markets, they make it clear why exports are critical to sustaining dairy businesses and attracting the next generation to the farm. From boosting dairy demand in Mexico to building strong ties in Southeast Asia through USDEC's Center for Dairy Excellence in Singapore, the conversation reveals how mission trips, health research, and hands-on partnerships are strengthening trust in U.S. dairy across the globe. Tune in to find out! To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com Host & Guest: · Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc. · Guest: Becky Nyman, California dairy farmer and Chair, U.S. Dairy Export Council · Guest: Rick Ortman, Senior Vice President of Strategic Insights, U.S. Dairy Export Council