Accelerated Genetics held their annual Young Producer Summer Meltdown Celebration recently at the Hoard’s Dairyman farm and National Dairy Shrine Visitor’s Center in Fort Atkinson, Wis. Young Producers from across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois gathered to explore the oldest Guernsey dairy operation in North America.
The day kicked off with members of the Hoard’s Dairyman editorial staff giving the group tours of their operation. The new facilities, which opened up in June of 2007, is home to nearly 240 Guernsey cows. The tour highlighted the double-10 herringbone parlor, a two-row free stall barn excellent for ventilation, biosecurity, and traffic flow, and the sand/manure separator and manure storage structures. Producers also viewed the calves, heifers, and dry cows, which were also housed on the farm in the older facilities.
Following the farm tour, producers enjoyed a catered picnic lunch complete with turkey and beef sandwiches, and all the fixings.This was a great chance for all to sit and visit with one another. After lunch, Brian Knox, President of Hoard’s Dairyman, spoke to the group about the progress the farm has made over the years and shared some of the current challenges they are facing and how the farm compliments their magazine’s focus. Janet Keller, Accelerated Genetics Vice President of Advertising, Public Relations, and Communications, welcomed producers and gave a brief update on the company. Young Producers also brushed up on their leadership skills and came forward to introduce themselves and talk about their home operations. Before leaving the farm, children in attendance got to go head-to-head with some competitive Ag Olympics.
Following the program, attendees headed just down the road into town to the National Dairy Shrine Visitor’s Center and Hoard’s Historic Museum. There, participants caught up on their dairy industry history and were treated to ice cream.
Upcoming young producer activities include the Young Producer Summit – “Innovate, Integrate, Motivate” – December 5-6, 2009 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Tomah, Wis.; the Winter Get-Away – January 30-31, 2010 in Wisconsin Dells, Wis, at the Kalahari Resort and Waterpark; and the Leadership Conference – March 20-21, 2010 in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., at the Wintergreen Resort and Conference Center.