Dairy farmers have the opportunity to participate in a one-day “Core Dairy Track” at the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit. Registration information and a program brochure are available online. The cost to register for the one-day “Core Dairy Track” is $125 for non-producers and $68 for producers and students. Additional scholarship opportunities and discounts for multiple participants from the same farm are also available.
Designed to meet the needs of those dairy producers who can’t get away from the farm for a two-day event, the Core Dairy Track will be held from 9 a.m. – 3:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, during the first day of the two-day Dairy Summit program being held at the Lancaster Host Resort in Lancaster, Pa.
The summit is hosted annually by the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania and the Center for Dairy Excellence, with support from the Penn State Extension Dairy Team and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The Dairy Summit is now in its seventh year, with participation and support for the annual event continuing to grow.
“Producers can come to hear a dairy farm showcase, participate in producer panel discussions, and learn more about the global dairy markets and what it will take to succeed in dairy in the next 5-10 years,” said Dave Hunsberger, chair of this year’s summit.
Dr. Nigel Cook from the University of Wisconsin Madison will discuss the “Dairyland Initiative: A Welfare Friendly Guide to Dairy Housing,” while Dr. William Weiss from the Ohio State University will provide a look at alternative feeds and their effectiveness from both a ration and cost perspective. Four producer panel discussions will be held as part of the breakout sessions, focusing on genomics, reproductive strategies, robotic milking solutions, and succession planning.
Dr. Bruce Jones from the University of Wisconsin will share the “Critical Factors for Success in Dairy Now and in the Next Ten Years,” while Mark Piper from Fonterra, the world’s largest exporter of dairy, will offer his perspective on global markets, dairy policy and the mailbox price. Dr. John Niezen, dairy manager of Greenstone Grazing in Georgia, will provide a showcase of the intensively grazed operation. Also included in the event is an opportunity to visit with vendors at the Dairy Trade Show and learn more about the latest technologies and services for your dairy.
Source: The Center for Dairy Excellence