Cow-Side Conversations

Author: Center for Dairy Excellence

Cowside Conversations is a monthly podcast brought to you by the Center for Dairy Excellence. Weve heard time and time again that dairy farmers learn the most from other dairy farmers. So, in this podcast were going to share real-time farmer insight, tricks of the trade, and inspiring stories from dairies across Pennsylvania.
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Language: en-us

Genres: Business, Management

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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
Episode 9
Thursday, 27 August, 2026

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 business-minded, Ron describes the slow and steady improvements they have made over the years with reproduction, herd health and longevity, cull rate, maximizing their facilities, and employee management. With efficiency and profitability being their two core goals, he also shares the different enterprises they have to take the pressure off their dairy operation, especially during downturns.