Cow-Side Conversations

73 Episodes

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Episode 9: Ron Wenger opens up about herd longevity, different enterprises, and how they treat the farm as a business and not a lifestyle

2026-08-2752:27

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! “If we can run this farm as a business, we can get the lifestyle we’re looking for. If we look at it as a lifestyle, the business could collapse financially.” In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Ron Wenger of Hollowacres Farm LLC in Franklin County, Pennsylvania opens up about the complex process of treating their 275-cow dairy farm as a business and not just a lifestyle. Emphasizing the importance of remaining ...

Episode 8: Anthony Rice shares how cheese-making has helped their seasonal, pasture-based dairy remain sustainable

2026-07-1046:36

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Anthony Rice of Clover Creek Cheese Cellar in Blair County, Pennsylvania describes his family’s transition from a conventional dairy farm to a seasonal, pasture-based operation more than 30 years ago. He shares the detail and creativity that goes into the cheese-making process along with the protein and butterfat goals they have for their herd. The Rice family processes all of...

Episode 7: Brent Copenhaver describes his journey as a first-generation dairy producer and how he prioritized lifestyle, relationships, and cash flow along the way

2026-06-0643:36

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Brent Copenhaver from Talview Dairy, a 500-cow dairy milking at two different locations in Lebanon County, PA, spoke about his journey into the dairy business, getting his start by purchasing cows and equipment from a retiring dairy producer. His approach to the dairy business includes prioritizing a balanced lifestyle, building strong relationships, building up cash flow, and...

Episode 6: Jim Harbach dives into strategies for no till, cover cropping, soil health, and fertilizer savings ahead of spring planting

2026-05-0155:10

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Jim Harbach from Schrack Farms in Clinton County, Pennsylvania dives into all things cropping as we prepare for spring planting season. With a goal of keeping something growing in the soil every day of the year on their 2,500 acres, Jim describes the transformation he has seen in their soil over the last 50 years. He shares how to navigate higher fertilizer costs by focusing o...

Episode 5: Kate Musselman describes expansion for their 3,000+ cow herd, balancing family and business, and optimism about the PA dairy industry

2026-04-0234:02

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts! In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Kate (Kulp) Musselman of Kulp Family Dairy LLC in Blair County, Pennsyvlania gives an inside look at their 3,000-cow dairy operation. With three different sites and 6,500 acres between owned and rented land, Kate shares the herd management and employee management strategies that make up their dairy business and satellite operations. As they navigate an expansion that will take...

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