062: Design with Purpose: Creating Cow-Centered Systems That Work

In Episode 2 of Ahead of the Herd: The Pursuit of Mastery series, GPS Dairy Consulting partners King Hickman, DVM, and Paul Dyk, MSc, PAS, explore how small, intentional improvements can lead to extraordinary results. Joined by GPS Dairy Consulting's Andre Pereira, PhD, BVetMed and Erin Mosley, PhD, and special guest Matt Sattler of Diamond V, they examine the power of consistency, from everyday feed center management to research revealing the lasting impact of feeding routines on milk production.From feeding accuracy and team communication to building better habits and systems, tune in to discover why the best dairies aren't built on big breakthroughs, but on the commitment to getting a little better every day. What's your next one percent?Thank you to Adisseo and Diamond V for sponsoring this Ahead of the Herd special series. Learn more about GPS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gpsdairy.com/⁠⁠⁠

In the season premiere of Ahead of the Herd: The Pursuit of Mastery, GPS Dairy Consulting partners King Hickman, DVM, and Paul Dyk, MSc, PAS, explore what separates good dairies from elite operations and what it really means to pursue mastery. Joined by special guest Ron Oltmanns of Leadskill and Ryan Schultz of Pagel's Ponderosa Dairy, they dig into the mindset, discipline and consistency behind sustained excellence.From leadership and personal growth to everyday execution on the dairy, tune in to discover why mastery isn't about perfection or finding the next big breakthrough - it's about the relentless pursuit of getting better, one decision at a time.Thank you to Adisseo and Diamond V for sponsoring this Ahead of the Herd special series. Learn more about GPS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gpsdairy.com/⁠⁠⁠

Ahead of the Herd: Results That Lead is a limited-series GPS DairyCAST highlighting how the next generation of consultants is driving meaningful change on modern dairies. In each episode, GPS NextGen consultants share how they approach complex challenges, earn trust quickly, and turn insight into action - without being bound by “how it’s always been done.” These conversations focus on thinking, leadership, and accountability.In this episode of Ahead of the Herd: Results That Lead, GPS NextGen consultants Douglas Duhatschek, PhD, BVetMed, and Paulina Letelier, PhD, join GPS Director of Business Operations Stephanie Jens and Founding Partner King Hickman, DVM, to discuss what it takes to develop the next generation of dairy consultants. From recruiting and onboarding to mentorship and professional growth, this conversation takes a behind-the-scenes look at how GPS Dairy Consulting is intentionally building its bench. Tune in to hear how fresh perspectives, technical expertise and experienced mentorship come together to develop consultants who are prepared to serve dairy producers for years to come.Learn more about GPS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gpsdairy.com/⁠⁠⁠Explore The Barn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.gpsdairybarn.com/home

On episode 64 of the GPS DairyCAST, GPS Dairy Consulting Founder and Consultant, King Hickman, DVM, is joined by world renowned hoof car expert Karl Burgi for a global view of dairy best practices. Tune is as Karl and King cover what the best dairies in the world are doing to operate with excellence. Enjoy this conversation as a part of our our 2025 GPS Dairy Leaders Forum.Be a part of a world class team, helping dairies succeed and lead: ⁠https://gpsdairy.com/join-our-teamThis episode of GPS DairyCAST is sponsored by Chemlock Nutrition. We use the power of chemistry to simplify how feed ingredients are made, improve consistency, and support animal productivity and profitability. Learn more at chemlocknutrition.com.

Ahead of the Herd: Results That Lead is a limited-series GPS DairyCAST highlighting how the next generation of consultants is driving meaningful change on modern dairies. In each episode, GPS NextGen consultants share how they approach complex challenges, earn trust quickly, and turn insight into action - without being bound by “how it’s always been done.” These conversations focus on thinking, leadership, and accountability.In this episode of Ahead of the Herd: Results That Lead, GPS consultants Brady Goetz, PhD, PAS, Nathan Pokowski, PAS, and Logan Morris, PhD, join GPS Founding Partner King Hickman, DVM, to discuss speed to clarity, decisive action, and staying accountable through the outcomes - not just the recommendations. Every dairy has more data than time and more opinions than answers. This panel explores how strong consultants determine when they know enough to act, help teams move from discussion to decision, and stay engaged to ensure those decisions deliver results.Learn more about GPS: ⁠⁠⁠https://gpsdairy.com/⁠⁠Explore The Barn: ⁠⁠https://www.gpsdairybarn.com/home

On this episode of the GPS DairyCAST, GPS Dairy consultant Brady Goetz, PhD, PAS is joined by Steven Landwehr and Annie Vannurden of Silverstreak Dairies to discuss how they create cow-centered systems that work. From the parlor to the sort gate to the sand system, tune in to hear the practical decisions Silverstreak Dairies has made to build systems that work for both cows and people. Enjoy this conversation as a part of our our 2025 GPS Dairy Leaders Forum.Add a GPS advisor to your team: ⁠⁠https://gpsdairy.com/contact-us⁠This episode of the GPS DairyCAST is proudly sponsored by Elanco Animal Health. Elanco provides customized solutions for dairy producers to yield healthy youngstock and productive cows, to control flies and pests, and to advance sustainability and improve management efficiency. Learn more at https://farmanimal.elanco.com/us/dairy

On episode 61 of the GPS DairyCAST, GPS Dairy consultant and partner Paul Dyk, MSc, PAS, is joined by Greg Bethard, PhD of High Plains Ponderosa Dairy to discuss how to gain efficiencies with rotary milking parlors. Tune in to hear Greg’s insights on rotary size, key performance metrics, planning considerations, cow prep and more - and learn what it takes to get the most out of a rotary. Enjoy this conversation as a part of our our 2025 GPS Dairy Leaders Forum.Learn more about the GPS FeedFIT® program: ⁠https://gpsdairy.com/education-programs/feedfitThis episode of the GPS DairyCAST is proudly sponsored by Elanco Animal Health. Elanco provides customized solutions for dairy producers to yield healthy youngstock and productive cows, to control flies and pests, and to advance sustainability and improve management efficiency.Add a GPS advisor to your team: ⁠⁠https://gpsdairy.com/contact-us⁠⁠

Ahead of the Herd: Results That Lead is a limited-series GPS DairyCAST highlighting how the next generation of consultants is driving meaningful change on modern dairies. In each episode, GPS NextGen consultants share how they approach complex challenges, earn trust quickly, and turn insight into action - without being bound by “how it’s always been done.” These conversations focus on thinking, leadership, and accountability.In this episode of Ahead of the Herd: Results That Lead, GPS consultants Megan Abeyta, PhD, Jordan Hunt, PAS, and Andy Bohnhoff, DVM, join GPS Founding Partner King Hickman, DVM, to discuss earning credibility, leading before you're asked to, and preparing people and operations for what’s next. This panel brings together three GPS Dairy consultants who work at the intersection of technical expertise, communication, and leadership. They earn trust quickly, navigate difficult conversations, and help teams move forward — even when change isn’t comfortable. Learn more about GPS: ⁠⁠https://gpsdairy.com/⁠Explore The Barn: ⁠https://www.gpsdairybarn.com/home

On episode 59 of the GPS DairyCAST, GPS Dairy consultant Jordan Hunt, PAS, is joined by Richard Stup, PhD, of Cornell University to discuss what he believes it takes to be successful as a leader looking to enhance team performance. Tune in to unlock the Performance Triad and learn how simple, intentional leadership practices can improve communication, strengthen accountability, and help your team reach its full potential. Enjoy this conversation as part of our 2026 GPS Dairy Herd Manager Retreat.Join the GPS email list: ⁠https://gpsdairy.com/contact-us/join-our-email-listThis episode of the GPS DairyCAST is proudly sponsored by Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health. Amino acids don’t just boost milk protein — they support better health, reproduction, and profitability. Visit ⁠⁠⁠Kemin.com/dairy⁠⁠⁠ to improve income-over-feed costs today.Add a GPS advisor to your team: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gpsdairy.com/contact-us⁠

On episode 58 of the GPS DairyCAST, GPS Dairy consultant Trent Dado, MSc, joins Brian Stampfl, DVM, with Valley Veterinary Clinic to dig into disease prevention through biosecurity. Tune in to hear how dairy producers can implement simple practices to manage animal health and minimize risk. Enjoy this conversation as a part of our our 2025 Leaders Forum.Add a GPS advisor to your team: https://gpsdairy.com/contact-us⁠⁠AgriGrowth Solutions is your trusted partner for providing financial strategy and support for today’s progressive dairies. Learn more at ⁠agrigrowthsolutions.com⁠.