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WCMA Webinars

Launched in 2021, WCMA's free, monthly members-only webinars offer expert insight, useful resources, and practical solutions on a host of topics. Register for upcoming sessions at WisCheeseMakers.org/Events!

Interested in presenting to WCMA members during a future webinar? Please download and complete our request form and submit it to WCMA Communications Director Grace Atherton at gatherton@wischeesemakers.org.

NEW: Show your support for ongoing learning and connection in the dairy processing industry as a sponsor of WCMA's free member webinars!

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Recorded July 10, 2025
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In this free webinar, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) members learn from Scott Fisher of The Kurita Group, Aaron Shaver of Advanced Process Technologies, and Rachel Kloos of ISG about water reuse and recycling in dairy processing. WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer and Center for Dairy Research (CDR) Cheese Technologist Dean Sommer also preview WCMA and CDR's new Dairy Wastewater Fundamentals Seminar on August 26, 2025.
Resources and contacts referenced during this webinar include:
Recorded June 12, 2025
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In this webinar, WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer and featured speakers Madlyn Daley of Dairy Management Inc., Mike Brown of T.C. Jacoby & Co., and Denise Greer of Pizza Today discuss current trends in cheese sales. This session offers the latest data and concise, thoughtful insights to help WCMA members stay competitive and spot new growth opportunities.
Resources and contacts referenced in this webinar include:

CONTENT WARNING: This webinar contains frequent mentions of suicide, which may be triggering for some viewers.

Recorded May 22, 2025
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In this webinar, featured speaker Dr. Kate McCoy of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WDHS) joins WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney for a look at the growing prevalence of mental health challenges in the workplace, and the critical role employers play in fostering workers' well-being. Dr. McCoy shares actionable strategies to promote a culture of mental wellness, reduce stigma, and connect employees with necessary support.
Resources and contacts referenced in this webinar include:

Resources:

Webinar Presenter:
Recorded April 24, 2025
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In this webinar, featured speakers Dr. Chuck Nicholson of the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Dr. Andy Novakovic of Cornell University, and Jacqueline Cook of Ausfine Foods and Cook Alpine Ltd. discuss past economic transitions in dairy trade policy, how businesses have adapted, and what today’s exporters can do to thrive amid tariff wars and shifting trade policies. 
Resources and contacts referenced during this webinar include:

Resources:

  • HS Lookup Tool and General Instructions: https://hts.usitc.gov/
  • WTO Tariff Analysis Online Tool: https://tao.wto.org (explore applied and bound tariffs by country and product)
  • International Trade Centre – Market Access Map (MACMap): https://www.macmap.org
    • Offers detailed tariff and trade data, including sanitary/phytosanitary (SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT)
  • World Integrated Trade Solutions (WITS): https://wits.worldbank.org
    • A collaboration between the World Bank and WTO.  It includes tariff data, trade flows and simulations.
  • Wisconsin Dairy Export Consultation Services Program – application and information found on WCMA’s Grants page under ‘International Export Resources’

Webinar Presenters:
Recorded March 20, 2025
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In this webinar, featured speakers Eric Hassel of Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and Liz Harder of Harbor Environmental discuss the information needed to set and report on GHG goals for direct and indirect emissions, the current GHG measurement and reporting landscape, and available resources from the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy.
Resources and contacts referenced during this webinar include:
Recorded February 13, 2025
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In this webinar, featured speakers Erik Sondergaard of Au2mate, Chris Barnes of Rockwell Automation, and Crystal Cristescu of Tetra Pak explore ways dairy processors can use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to optimize production and grow their businesses.
Resources and contacts referenced during this webinar include:
Recorded January 16, 2025
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In this webinar, WCMA Communications Director Grace Atherton, Westby Cooperative Creamery Sales & Marketing Manager Emily Bialkowski, and Emmi Roth Social Media Manager Codi Mustakas explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in dairy processors’ sales and marketing efforts.
Resources and contacts referenced in this webinar include:
Recorded December 10, 2024
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In this webinar, featured speaker Kathleen Wolfley of Ever.Ag offers a look ahead at milk pricing and dairy markets in 2025. WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer also details WCMA's advocacy efforts related to milk pricing in recent years, and both presenters answer live questions from attendees.
Resources and contacts referenced in this webinar include:

Recorded November 5, 2024

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Speakers including WCMA Contest Director Kirsten Strohmenger, Contest Judge Eric Vorpahl of Masters Gallery Foods, and Contest Entrants Mike Sipple of Agropur and Orphee Paillotin of Alpinage Artisan Cheese share insights on how and why to enter the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, the technical process used in evaluating products, and how to make the most of your participation whether or not you come away with a medal.

Resources and contacts referenced in this webinar include:
Recorded October 15, 2024
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This webinar features dairy economist Dr. Chuck Nicholson offering a deep dive into the impacts of federal milk marketing order (FMMO) milk pricing decisions, including industry reaction to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) recommended decision. WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer also moderates a live Q&A with the audience.
Recorded September 19, 2024
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In this webinar, WCMA staff share details on the many resources and programs available through WCMA membership, including the Association's advocacy efforts, networking events, news & updates, and more. Resources and contacts shared during this webinar include:
Recorded August 6, 2024
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In this webinar, guest expert Dr. Steven Grube of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discusses food safety research findings and regulatory updates related to the current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or H5N1) among U.S. dairy herds. WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney provides a situation report on the current H5N1 outbreak among U.S. dairy cows, details available resources for dairy processors, and moderates a live Q&A session with presenters. Resources and contacts shared during this webinar include:

This session was made possible in part by support from the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance, a partnership between WCMA and the Center for Dairy Research.
Recorded July 30, 2024
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In this webinar, guest experts Dr. Carrie Reed and Dr. John Gibbins of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discuss how highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) spreads and strategies dairy processors can employ to help their valued employees stay safe when interacting with unpasteurized milk on the job. WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney provides a situation report on the current H5N1 outbreak among U.S. dairy cows, details available resources for dairy processors, and moderates a live Q&A session with presenters. Resources and contacts shared during this webinar include:

This session was made possible in part by support from the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance, a partnership between WCMA and the Center for Dairy Research.
Recorded July 9, 2024

In this webinar, guest presenters from Ecolab, Nelson-Jameson, Saldesia, and Kelley Supply join WCMA staff to discuss the importance of quality personal protective equipment (PPE) in dairy processing plants, and some of the options available to dairy businesses.

Resources and contacts shared during this webinar include:
Recorded June 11, 2024

In this webinar, guest presenters from Fresh-Lock by Presto Products, Fredman Bag Company, Circle Inc., Procudan A/S, and CERMER Ceramic Food Packaging join WCMA staff to discuss the future of sustainable dairy packaging.

Resources and contacts shared during this webinar include:
Recorded May 14, 2024
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WCMA staff are joined by guest speakers from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WDATCP), the Center for Dairy Research (CDR), and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WDHS) to share timely updates and recommendations for dairy manufacturers and processors to safeguard their employees and businesses against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or H5N1).
Resources and contacts shared during this webinar include:
Recorded April 9, 2024
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WCMA staff and Tony Lee of Key Resin Company/FlowResin, Courtney Boeger of Nelson-Jameson, and Jim Miller of Saldesia share the prevalence and impact of slips, trips, and falls in dairy processing plants - and solutions to mitigate these common and costly incidents.
Resources and contacts shared during this webinar include:
Recorded March 12, 2024
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WCMA staff and partners Jennifer Block of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, Kaitlyn Harbort of Foremost Farms USA, and Sushil Rajagopalan of Harbor Environmental discuss the value of materiality assessments for dairy processors, and announce WCMA's upcoming Materiality Assessment Workshop.
Resources and contacts shared during this webinar include:
Recorded February 13, 2024
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Staff from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WDATCP) join WCMA members to share information and answer questions about Wisconsin's offering of the all-new, nationwide Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grant program. Resources and contact information shared during this webinar include:
  • Register now for upcoming RFSI office hours for Wisconsin applicants:
    • Thursday, February 29 at 1:00 p.m. (CT)
  • Additional WDATCP contacts:
    • Grace Puc, Agriculture Program Specialist: (608) 893-0431
    • Andrew Bernhardt, Agriculture Program Specialist: (608) 572-0512
    • Chad Kauffman, Grants Specialist: (608) 893-2658
    • Kara Kasten-Olson, Agriculture Program Supervisor: (608) 224-5112
Recorded January 9, 2024
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Chuck Nicholson, Associate Professor in the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, joins WCMA to discuss his recent research into the barriers faced by small and medium Wisconsin dairy processors in exporting their products overseas. Resources and contact information shared during this webinar include:

Recorded December 12, 2023

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Leaders from the Center for Dairy Research, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, UW-River Falls, and WCMA showcase upcoming training opportunities for dairy processing employees. Resources and contact information shared during this webinar include:

Recorded November 14, 2023

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Expert judges, WCMA staff, and previous winners of the World Championship Cheese Contest explain the "how" and "why" of entering the 2024 competition.

Recorded October 10, 2023

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Industry experts detail cheese culture innovations in the October 2023 members-only webinar, now available to view online. 

  • Chr. Hansen's Casey Baumler, Regional Sales Director for Midwest U.S. and Canada, discusses innovations in the cultures and enzymes that boost productivity for cheesemakers.
  • IFF Nutrition & Biosciences' Baidya Nath Sah, Ph.D., Application Specialist, Cheese, talks on “Improving cheddar cheese for every eating occasion with ChymostarTM and Choozit® Vintage.” Chymostar, fermentation-produced chymosin, is formulated for higher activity and simultaneously reduction of coagulant cost in use by 15-20%. Choozit Vintage achieves consistently delicious cheddar flavor and smooth, clean-cut texture – combined with stable product quality over the entire shelf life.
  • Lallemand Specialty Cultures' Julien Gadbin-Dherbecourt, Ph.D., Dairy Culture and Technology Expert, describes LALCULT® Protect MC1 which has been designed to control the growth of molds and yeasts and LALCULT® Protect LC1, a patented culture to control the growth of Listeria monocytogenes. In addition, FLAV-ANTAGE® BL B1 is a new natural rind solution based on a carefully selected Brevibacterium that allows cheesemakers to create hard and semi soft cheeses with a darker (beige to brown) natural rind without coloring agents.

Recorded September 12, 2023

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Recorded August 1, 2023

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Three industry presentations explore new solutions for dairy processors' challenges via innovation in automation.  Tetra Pak offers ideas on "cheese optimization" built around data analytics and algorithms to make real time decisions in order to optimize cheese production performance.  Loos Machine & Automation details the intersection of automation - robotics, autonomy, smart manufacturing and IT - with cutting-edge hardware that can withstand dairy processing environments.  Kelley Supply offers practical equipment designed to relieve difficult and repetitive workflows.

Recorded July 11, 2023

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Speakers Eric Hassel of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, Holly Jones of Agropur, Bob Wills of Cedar Grove Cheese, and Danica Nilsestuen of WCMA share insights on the business case for dairy sustainability, and resources available to help processors get started.

    Recorded June 13, 2023

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    Speakers John Umhoefer of WCMA, Paul Scharfman of Specialty Cheese Company, and Bob Greco of Cheese Merchants offer insights and answer questions on current trends in cheese sales and the outlook for Hispanic styles and Parmesan.

      Recorded May 9, 2023

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      Speakers Brian Gjerde and Rachel Kloos of ISG, Logan Krueger and Sam Tijan of Miron Construction, and Alex Vikemyr of C.D. Smith Construction offer insights on the latest in dairy plant construction, including sustainability, augmented reality, and the advanced technology in the new Center for Dairy Research facility.

      Recorded April 18, 2023

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      Speakers Tim Multerer and Shannon Berry of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin share their thoughts on the impact of a strong retail demo program, and tips on how to boost sales by showcasing your dairy products directly to consumers.

      Resources and contacts referenced in this webinar include: 

      Recorded March 14, 2023

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      Speakers Becca Collins of the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin, Julie Enloe of the Employment and Training Association, Paul Herold and Chang Yang of Great Lakes Cheese, and Rebekah Sweeney of Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association share ideas for boosting dairy processors' recruitment efforts and resources available to WCMA members operating in Wisconsin and across the country.

      Resources and contacts referenced in this webinar include: 

      Recorded February 14, 2023

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      Speakers Jim Gage of James D. Gage Consulting, Katie Ujdak of Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Paul Scharfman of Specialty Cheese Company, and Danica Nilsestuen of WCMA offer strategies to find grants and write a top-notch proposal, as well as tips from a dairy processor's perspective and resources available to WCMA members.

      Resources and contacts referenced in this webinar include: 

      Recorded September 13, 2022

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      Speakers including WCMA President Steve Bechel of Eau Galle Cheese, WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer, and WCMA staff offer a closer look at the Association's events, services, and resources available to help members grow their businesses.

      Resources and contacts referenced in this webinar include:

      Recorded August 16, 2022

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      WCMA hosts speakers from Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and Emmi Roth to discuss ways dairy manufacturers and processors can boost their business through earned media, and the resources available to help them effectively utilize this no-cost marketing strategy.

      Resources and contacts referenced in this webinar include:

      Hosted June 14, 2022. In accordance with OSHA policies, this webinar was not recorded.

      WCMA hosts speakers from the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) to discuss the agency's new Local Emphasis Program for food manufacturers in Wisconsin.

      Resources and contacts referenced in this webinar include:
      Recorded May 17, 2022

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      WCMA hosts speakers from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WDATCP).

      Resources and contacts referenced in this webinar include:

      Recorded March 15, 2022

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      WCMA hosts speakers from the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, the University of Wisconsin - River Falls (UWRF), and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW).

      Resources and contacts referenced in this webinar include:

      Recorded February 15, 2022

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      WCMA shares information and resources from speakers at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WDATCP) and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).

      Resources and contacts referenced in this webinar include:

      Recorded January 11, 2022

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      WCMA offers expert insight from Focus on Energy and Eau Galle Cheese about the reasons and resources available for dairy processors' energy efficiency projects.

      Resources referenced in this webinar include: