Brad Guse: Financial metrics to watch and building trust with your ag lender

Brad Guse: Financial metrics to watch and building trust with your ag lender

Author: Progressive Dairy editors June 3, 2025 Duration: 57:32
Progressive Dairy Podcast
Business

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Brad Guse from BMO joins host Kimmi Devaney to discuss the metrics dairy producers should be watching right now, why risk management and contingency plans are vital, how to build a good relationship with your ag lender, and the recent BMO report about eight key economic and market trends that are significantly impacting U.S. farmers right now.

Here’s an overview of the episode:

  • [~2:35] BMO report: What is happening right now with trade, the impact is it having on agriculture and how dairy producers can best manage through these uncertainties 
  • [~4:05] BMO report: Slower economic growth
  • [~5:00] BMO report: Abundant crop supplies, livestock leaner
  • [~6:40] Impact of beef-on-dairy
  • [~8:45] BMO report: The value of the U.S. dollar 
  • [~9:35] BMO report: Some costs decreasing
  • [~11:00] BMO report: Interest rates
  • [~12:25] BMO report: Labor 
  • [~13:15] BMO report: Productivity growth
  • [~14:50] The impact of higher butterfat and protein on processing 
  • [~17:30] The most important metrics for dairy producers to watch right now as they look at their operation’s financials
  • [~23:30] The most important parts of a risk management plan 
  • [~25:10] What keeps ag lenders up at night?
  • [~29:30] Tips for building a good relationship with your ag lender
  • [~32:20] Examples of contingency plans and how to develop them 
  • [~38:20] Current topics dairy producers are talking about
  • [~41:20] What producers should be asking or talking about with their ag lender that they probably aren’t
  • [~43:15] When should producers involve their ag banker in succession planning discussions?
  • [~46:30] Rapid-fire questions

For those who live and work in the world of milk production, the day doesn’t stop for a deep dive into industry news. That’s where the Progressive Dairy Podcast comes in, extending the trusted editorial voice of the magazine into an audio format you can take anywhere. Hosted by the Progressive Dairy editors, this series is crafted specifically for U.S. dairy producers and the network of professionals who support them. Think of it as a conversation with well-informed colleagues, breaking down the latest trends, operational strategies, and business insights that matter at the farm gate and beyond. You’ll hear straightforward discussions that translate complex topics into actionable advice, whether the subject is herd health, market dynamics, sustainability practices, or technology adoption. Released every other Tuesday, each episode is designed to fit into a busy schedule, providing a dose of relevant information during a morning commute or an afternoon walk. It’s more than just a business podcast; it’s a practical resource built on the same foundation of reliability that readers have come to expect, now available for your ears instead of your eyes. Tune in to stay informed and connected to the pulse of the dairy industry.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Official website RSS
youtubelinkedin
Progressive Dairy Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Gail Carpenter: You can’t outfeed bad management [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:46
In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Gail Carpenter, who is an assistant professor and state dairy specialist at Iowa State University, and host Kimmi Devaney discuss a variety of topics ranging from dairy n…
Instant Milk Cooling with PROChiller Systems (Sponsored Podcast) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:12
CEO Jim VanderGiessen, Jr. shares how cooling milk became a career and how dairy farmers are using PROChillers to instantly cool milk and heat water to 180°F. This episode is sponsored by Pro Refrigeration.
Robotic milking with dairyman Jacob Twohey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:40
In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Walt Cooley is joined by Jacob Twohey of Twohey Dairy. Like 95% of farms in Olmsted County where they dairy, their farm is family-owned, and Jacob represents the nex…
Bonus episode: What is the Real Producer Exchange? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:16
Introducing the Real Producer Exchange – a new, interactive experience where we go live, face-to-face with producers who are tackling the same challenges you face every day. It's your chance to get real answers from real…
Beef-on-dairy research with Tara Felix [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:03
In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Matti McBride is joined by Tara Felix, associate professor and beef extension specialist at Penn State University. Felix has been feeding dairy steers and beef-on-da…

«12345678910»