PDPW

What PDPW does

Professional Dairy Producers (PDPW) is a Wisconsin-based, non-profit professional development association founded in 1992 that serves U.S. dairy producers and allied industry members. It is governed producer-led, with dairy farmers themselves driving the programming agenda, and operates a portfolio that combines membership services, in-person and virtual educational events, workshops, publications, and a sponsorship/marketplace layer. Its primary customers are dairy farm owners, operators, and managers — a deliberately broad segment spanning every type and size of dairy operation — with allied industry suppliers and ag students as secondary segments.

The organization's core product surface is anchored by the annual Business Conference and a stack of recurring programs including the Cornerstone Dairy Academy, Managers Academy for Dairy Professionals, Dairy Managers Institute, Financial Literacy for Dairy, Calf Care Connection, Carbon/Crops/Cows, and the newer Smart Dairy Workshop focused on AI in dairy operations. Continuous content is delivered through The Dairy Signal (live-streamed weekday sessions via MediaSite), the PDP Podcast Weekly, the bi-weekly Manager's Memo e-newsletter, and Dairy's Bottom Line, a periodical co-published with Agri-View. Talent and pipeline programs (TalentCONNECT, Mentor Program, Enhanced Internship, STRIDE, PDP Accelerate) and a supplier marketplace (PDP Prime) round out the offering. Underlying technology is conventional association infrastructure — MediaSite for streaming, Constant Contact for email, standard social platforms — with no proprietary AI, data platform, or software product.

The revenue model is a three-stream non-profit mix: recurring membership dues, event and workshop registration fees, and corporate sponsorships from dairy suppliers (including digital storefronts via PDP Prime). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, and at least one access layer (Dairy AdvanCE continuing education) is free for active producers. Distribution is regional to national, with a Wisconsin operational base but events and members described as spanning the nation and globe.

Name

PDPW

Legal name

Professional Dairy Producers

Website

https://pdpw.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Professional Dairy Producers (PDPW) is a Wisconsin-based, producer-led non-profit founded in 1992 that delivers membership services, educational events, workshops, and publications to U.S. dairy producers and allied industry members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Professional Development Services

NAICS

Dairy Cattle and Milk Production (11212)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

Milking Parlor & Dairy Farm Support Services (Non-veterinary) (AFAEALAK)

Keywords

• Dairy professional development
• Agricultural education programs
• Dairy industry training
• Producer-led membership association
• Dairy continuing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Juneau

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Producer-led and membership-based organization generating revenue through annual membership fees from dairy producers and allied industry members. Membership provides access to educational programs, resources, networking, and industry representation.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue from registration fees for educational programs including Business Conference, Cornerstone Dairy Academy, Managers Academy, Dairy Managers Institute, and various workshops like Calf Care Connection, Hoof Management, and Dairy Wellbeing programs.
3. Sponsorships: Sponsorships from dairy industry suppliers and allied companies supporting PDPW programs and events, with various sponsorship tiers available including the PDP Prime digital storefront program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Professional Dairy Producers (PDPW) is a producer-led, membership-based professional development organization serving dairy producers and allied industry members. The organization delivers best-in-class education, training programs, live-streamed content, publications, in-person events, and networking opportunities covering dairy business management, animal care, sustainability, leadership, and financial literacy.

Product overview

Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) is Dairy's Professional Development Organization - a network-based professional development platform for dairy producers and allied industry members. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs, live-streamed content, publications, and professional development services. Core offerings include The Dairy Signal (live-streamed educational sessions), the PDP Podcast Weekly, Dairy's Bottom Line periodical, and Manager's Memo e-newsletter. The flagship Business Conference anchors an extensive calendar of specialized programs including Cornerstone Dairy Academy, Managers Academy for Dairy Professionals, Dairy Managers Institute, Financial Literacy for Dairy, and the Smart Dairy Workshop (AI-focused). Additional programs cover operational topics like Calf Care Connection, Hoof Management Workshops, Carbon, Crops + Cows sustainability training, and Dairy Wellbeing Workshops. Youth and talent development programs include STRIDE Youth Leadership Conference, TalentCONNECT Reverse Career Fair, and PDP Accelerate. The organization also provides PDP Prime (supplier marketplace) and Dairy AdvanCE (continuing education tracking). The portfolio operates on a platform-plus-programs model with virtual content, in-person workshops, on-farm tours, and multi-day academies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Dairy Signal®: Free source for up-to-date news on today's changing industry, streaming Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon until 1 p.m. CT
• PDP Podcast Weekly
• PDP Prime™
• Dairy's Bottom Line
• Manager's Memo
• Dairy AdvanCE®
• Cornerstone Dairy Academy®
• Managers Academy for Dairy Professionals®
• Dairy Managers Institute®
• PDP Accelerate™
• STRIDE™ Youth Leadership Conference
• Financial Literacy for Dairy®
• Calf Care Connection®
• Carbon, Crops + Cows
• Dairy Insights Summit
• ACE Twilight Meetings
• Business Conference
• Smart Dairy Workshop
• Hoof Management Workshops
• Dairy Wellbeing Workshop
• Farm Technology Tours
• Business Management & Advanced Finance Workshop

Products and services

• The Dairy Signal Live-streamed educational sessions featuring the latest resources and strategies for dairy producers, with on-demand recordings and podcasts.
• Business Conference Annual flagship event featuring educational sessions, leading researchers, industry experts, and a dairy supplier and equipment trade show.
• Cornerstone Dairy Academy Three-tiered leadership development and communications training program for dairy producers and industry professionals.
• Managers Academy for Dairy Professionals Three-day immersive executive training event featuring real-world case studies, out-of-industry tours, and peer-to-peer networking for dairy industry leaders.
• Dairy Managers Institute Interactive workshop building management and communications skills for dairy farm managers.
• Financial Literacy for Dairy Multi-session financial development course created for the dairy industry, providing tools and strategies for financial success.
• Calf Care Connection Workshop focusing on understanding stress impacts on dairy calves and strategies to minimize stressful experiences.
• Carbon, Crops + Cows Sustainability program helping producers understand sustainability scores, carbon footprint metrics, and management practices.
• Hoof Management Workshops On-farm workshops using host farms as live case studies for herd-specific hoof care strategies.
• Smart Dairy Workshop Interactive workshop helping dairy producers implement AI tools, connect data across systems, and create actionable management plans.
• PDP Prime Catalog of dairy's premier suppliers and their digital storefronts, providing access to industry-leading products and services.
• Dairy AdvanCE Free subscription service for active dairy producers providing continuing education opportunities and tracking.
• TalentCONNECT Reverse Career Fair Reverse career fair connecting dairy students and job-seekers with employers during the Business Conference.
• STRIDE Youth Leadership Conference Youth leadership conference for high school students featuring interactive workshops and agricultural career exploration.
• PDP Accelerate One-day professional development program for college students and interns to build workforce skills.
• Dairy Wellbeing Workshop Workshop building stockmanship skills and lameness-prevention strategies through hands-on learning and beef-processing plant tours.
• Dairy Insights Summit Annual conference addressing consumer demands and food innovation for dairy producers, processors, and industry stakeholders.
• Your Farm Your Footprint Sustainability-focused initiative helping dairy producers measure and improve their environmental footprint.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Agri-ViewcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Agri-View to publish Dairy's Bottom Line periodical, bringing dairy business news, management tips, and resources to producers seven times annually. This co-branded publication serves as a key member resource.
• Dairy AdvanCEcoreOthersDairy AdvanCE serves as the one-stop shop for continuing education in dairy, providing FREE subscriptions for active dairy producers. PDPW directs members to this platform for CE credits.
• American Red CrossminorOthersAnnual community blood drive partnership held during June Dairy Month at PDP headquarters, coordinated by the American Red Cross.
• Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation (WROF)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWROF provides scholarships for students attending the PDP Cornerstone Dairy Academy, supporting five recipients in 2026.
• American Foods GroupminorOthersBeef processing facility partner for exclusive behind-the-scenes tours as part of the Dairy Wellbeing Workshop educational program.
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical CollegeminorOthersEducational venue partner for workshops including Calf Care Connection sessions, offering facilities for hands-on learning programs.
• Arlington Ag Research StationminorOthersUniversity of Wisconsin agricultural research station used as venue for Calf Care Connection workshops and educational programming.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Farm Bureau Federation: Largest U.S. general agriculture trade association with significant dairy farmer membership. Comparable to PDPW in offering educational programming, events, and member services to farmers, but with a much broader commodity scope beyond dairy.
• Dairy Farmers of America: Largest U.S. dairy cooperative, serving as a broad incumbent across producer services, marketing, and advocacy. Comparable because it also serves dairy farm members nationwide, but operates as a cooperative with significant processing and marketing operations beyond professional development.

Direct peers

• Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy: Pre-competitive collaboration forum for the U.S. dairy value chain, focused on sustainability, animal care, and food safety. Comparable to PDPW in convening dairy stakeholders around education and best practices, with a national rather than regional focus.
• Holstein Association USA: Largest U.S. dairy breed association serving Holstein breeders with registration, classification, and member services. Directly comparable to PDPW as a membership organization providing services, events, and education to dairy producers, though with a single-breed focus.
• Dairy Management Inc. Manages the national dairy checkoff program on behalf of U.S. dairy farmers, funding promotion, research, and education. Directly comparable to PDPW in its mandate to serve dairy producers through education, research, and industry development programs.
• National Dairy Council: Founded by dairy farmers in 1915, NDC is one of the oldest dairy producer-supported nutrition education organizations. Directly comparable to PDPW as a farmer-funded education and nutrition communications organization serving dairy industry interests.
• American Dairy Products Institute: Trade association serving dairy processors and ingredient companies with education, networking, and advocacy. Comparable to PDPW as a dairy-focused trade association offering events and member services, though oriented toward processors and ingredient manufacturers rather than farm-level producers.
• National Milk Producers Federation: National trade association representing U.S. dairy producers on policy, economics, and sustainability. Directly comparable to PDPW as a membership-based dairy producer association focused on professional and industry advocacy, though operating at a federal policy level rather than regional professional development.
• United Dairy Industry Association: Federation of state and regional dairy promotion organizations funded by the dairy checkoff. Comparable to PDPW in its producer-focused mission and member services model, with overlapping educational and promotional programming across multiple states.

Regional players

• Midwest Dairy: Regional dairy promotion organization representing dairy farmers across 10 Midwestern states. Comparable to PDPW in serving dairy producers in the same core geography with education and promotion programming, though operating as a checkoff-funded promotion entity rather than an independent membership association.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dairypdpw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ProfessionalDairyProducers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/professional-dairy-producers-of-wisconsin
• Instagraminstagram.com/dairypdpw

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PDPW