Today's dairy operator's are being asked a lot.  Many industry partners need to share details about sustainability practices with their consumers, but need the dairy story as part of the dialog.  Stephanie Hoff talks with Jennifer Block, director of value chain partnerships, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative.  Dairy farmers have improved efficiency for decades, but they have lacked a consistent, credible way to quantify these efforts to receive financial recognition in the marketplace. There  is increasing pressure on the supply chain to report Scope 3 emissions -- the carbon footprint generated directly on the farm -- making verified data more critical than ever. Empower+ provides a structured, third-party verified framework to turn everyday improvements into measurable climate outcomes that the value chain can trust. Unlike top-down mandates from corporations, this program allows farmers to choose the practices that fit their specific business, whether that is genetics, cow nutrition, or  manure management. There are three pillars of implementation: 1) Gathering a complete baseline across feed, herd, manure, and cropping; 2) Running "what-if" models to identify the biggest efficiency gains before a farmer invests capital; 3) Using third-party audits to prove to processors and buyers that a reduction has actually occurred. The program  focuses on an "insetting" model, keeping the carbon value within the dairy value chain (farmer, processor, and buyer) rather than selling it  to outside industries. Most farmers already have an ongoing wish list of improvements; the ultimate goal is to ensure no value is left on the table as the global market shifts toward carbon-conscious sourcing.

Rain moves through the state this morning.  Stu Muck says some of the storms may have measurable rain, and strong winds.  Once we're past this front, he says things calm down, and dry out.

Steffes Group is still open to your item for their bi-monthly sale.  Ashly Huhn tells Pam Jahnke about how this opportunity fits many elements of equipment.  Paid for by Steffes Group.

The Indy 500 will have a dairy presence again this year.  Jenni Browning,  CEO of the American Dairy Association of Indiana says it’s a time-honored tradition.  One new change this year is making milk available for purchase during the race.

China has agreed to a $17 billion commitment to the U.S. and its annual agricultural purchases.  John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend says the market can only trade off that for so long.  Heinberg's also watching the wheat ratings as those crop scouts finish their observations.