The Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence invites all sales and service representatives who work closely with Pennsylvania dairy producers to their upcoming Dairy Advocacy and Resource Team (DART) meetings. This series of meetings will focus on an environmentally friendly new approach to lowering feed costs. The DART meeting are scheduled for April 17, 22-24, and 29-30 at various dairy processing facilities in the state
Pennsylvania’s dairy processing infrastructure will be showcased during the meetings, with each meeting held at one of six dairy processing facilities located across the state. Meeting participants will learn about opportunities for producers to transition their herd into lower-cost, free-stall housing set-ups.
“We are excited about this round of DART meetings, aiming for a better understanding of two on-farm management areas that can impact profitability; modernizing smaller scale farms and feeding efficient rations,” says John Frey, executive director of the Center for Dairy Excellence. “Touring several local dairy processing plants will add even more learning opportunities.”
Dr. David Kammel, from the University of Wisconsin, and Dan McFarland from Penn State Cooperative Extension, will lead discussions on dairy housing and low-cost solutions to increasing cow numbers.
The April DART meetings are scheduled for the following dates, times and locations.
* April 17 from 12:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. at Galliker’s Dairy, 143 Donald Lane, Johnstown, Cambria County;
* April 22 from 12:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. at Yoder’s of New Holland, 14 South Tower Rd., New Holland , Lancaster County;
* April 23 from 12:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. at Middlebury Center Co-op., Route 287, Middlebury Center, Tioga County;
* April 24 from 12:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. at Land O’Lakes Carlisle, 405 Park Drive, Carlisle, Cumberland County;
* April 29 from 12:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. at Sunbury Weis Dairy Plant , 100 South 2nd St.,
Sunbury, Northumberland County; and
* April 30 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Dairy Farmers of America, Rte. 18 and 208, New Wilmington, Lawrence County.