The Dairy Business Association (DBA) will be holding their annual symposium February 18-19 in Green Bay, Wis. at Lambeau Field.
The Access Symposium will focus on closing the relationship gap between producers and regulators through a set of interactive sessions with key state agencies the first day of the event. The second day will focus on best animal handling practices with a focus on “down cow” situations.
Key State Secretaries will provide a “State of the Union” type address regarding current regulations facing producers. After each discussion, producers will have the opportunity to interact with staff members from each Secretary’s office. During these small group interactions, producers will have the opportunity to ask clarifying questions on policy implementation, share some of the challenges they face and work with the staff members to come up with collaborative implementation solutions.
The current Secretaries committing to the meeting include Sec. Stepp from DNR, Sec. Brancel from DATCP and Jimmy Bramblett – USDA NRCS State Conservationist (invited).
The following day, focus will shift to animal handling procedures with a primary focus on down cow situations. Presentations will be given to highlight the challenges around proper cattle handling, employee training and interaction with media when it comes to the improper treatment of animals by employees. This will be a dynamic morning where producers will work in small groups to develop standard approaches for employee training and related matters so as to avoid any misrepresentation by activists as to the concern and affection they have for their cows.
Source: Dairy Business Association