The 4th Annual I-29 Dairy Conference in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Jan. 29 will feature the dairy checkoff’s recent efforts on sustainability. The conference takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Best Western Ramkota in Sioux Falls A full agenda and registration form can be obtained online.
“Our consumer is looking for reassurance that our practices and products reflect their expectations, and we as dairy farmers need to make sure we’re sustainable from a profitability and resource management perspective,” said Jerry Messer, chairman of the checkoff-funded Midwest Dairy Association and a Richardton, N.D., dairy producer. “The industry-wide Sustainability Initiative addresses both.”
Rick Naczi of Dairy Management, Inc., who leads the initiative for the checkoff, is a featured speaker for the event, along with Charlie Arnot of the Center for Food Integrity, who works with the checkoff on consumer perception research.
Naczi’s presentation is entitled “Dairy Sustainability – Creating Value and Profitability from Cow to Consumer.” He’ll describe the industry-wide effort to create consumer value and how the project can improve the economic, environmental and social aspects of dairy production. Arnot’s topic is “Building Sustainable Systems: How Do We Balance Ethics, Science and Economics?” and includes a discussion of how dairy producers can build systems that meet consumer expectations and maintain profitability.
In addition, Donna Moenning, Midwest Dairy Association’s vice president of industry image and relations, will conduct a breakout session to help producers find practical ways to build relationships with neighbors and community.