Six Pennsylvania dairy producers will share how they improved the profitability of their farms by increasing milk production during a free forum at the 2008 Pennsylvania Dairy Profitability Forum. The forum is hosted by the Center for Dairy Excellence and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at two locations from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 18 and 19.
In addition to the dairy producer panel discussions, both forums will feature presentations from Dairy Today Editor Jim Dickrell and University of Wisconsin’s Dr. David Kammel. Dickrell will talk about the current and future status of the dairy industry, while Kammel will share his experience with low-cost dairy modernization. Dr. David Galligan from the University of Pennsylvania will discuss “Preparing for the New Frontier,” and breakout sessions will address robotic technology, accounting, internal herd growth and renewable energy opportunities.
During the panel discussions, producers will share how they improved milk production – either by increasing milk production per cow or by growing their herd internally or through expansion.
Matt Bennetch of Bethel, Glenn Gorrell of Milan, and Dennis Weaver of New Holland will speak on the panel at the PA Dairy Profitability Forum in Harrisburg.
Bennetch is a producer who started dairying seven years ago. Gorrell will discuss how his family grew their operation through low culling and high levels of internal herd growth and Weaver will explain how he expanded from a tie-stall to freestall facility to grow his dairy herd.
Steve Paxton of Grove City, Brenda and Shannon Irwin of Centerville, and Richard Shirey of New Bethlehem will speak at the forum in Mercer.
Since 1982, Paxton and his brother Joe have grown their Jersey herd internally from 125 to 430 cows. The Irwins will discuss how they grew through expansion and Shirey will share how he increased his total milk production by improving the herd’s per-cow milk production average.