February 2022 Vol. 1
Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®
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2022 PDPW Business Conference
March 16-17
Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
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DAIRY’S PREMIER EDUCATIONAL EVENT IS JUST A MONTH AWAY. Join fellow dairy producers and industry professionals March 16-17 at Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells for two days of compelling presentations, new ideas, technologies and networking opportunities to create bold ideas and big results for your business. Register today.
Here’s a snapshot:
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New for 2022 - simultaneous Spanish translation! A Spanish-version agenda is also available. Access that by clicking here.
- Michael Hoffman will serve as emcee and is sure to keep the conference activities moving ahead a in high-spirited fashion.
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The Nexus™ Stage will feature the five finalists that have been selected to showcase their novel ideas and products for the dairy industry. These presentations will happen once both days, in the Maji Lounge of the Africa Ballroom Foyer.
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The Preview Stage will feature the latest research from university researchers, graduate students and the Dairy Innovation Hub.
SEVERAL SESSIONS WILL PRESENT BOLD IDEAS over the two-day conference. Here are summaries of just a few.
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“Fatten up the milk check,” presented by Dr. Tom Overton, professor of Animal Science and director of PRO-DAIRY, Cornell University, will share strategies to maximize components and make the most of feed rations.
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“Uncommon commonalities,” and “Nail the success strategies,” both presented by Dr. David Kohl, professor emeritus, Agriculture and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech, president of AgriVisions and part owner of Homestead Creamery, will summarize characteristics of effective dairies and highlight methods that top U.S. dairies use to set performance targets, maximize capital investments and leverage opportunities.
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“Navigating through farm transitions,” presented by Monica Kramer McConkey, a rural mental health specialist at Minnesota Centers of Ag Excellence will present tactics to manage the people side of business transitions and maintain relationships through the process.
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“Life balance: fact or fiction,” will feature a producer panel of Janet Clark, Chris Pollack and Kurt Olson, and facilitated by Hank Wagner, sharing insights on managing the balance of farm, business and family in the business.
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“Distinguishing the coulds from the shoulds.” This opening-day keynote will bring together notable experts to shed light on trends and opportunities in renewable energies, including moral and ethical obligations while maintaining and improving resources for future generations. The eclectic panel of speakers will include Bruce Vincent, third-generation logger; Dr. Frank Mitloehner, professor and air quality extension specialist, Department of Animal Science, University of California-Davis; Dr. Richard Kyte, endowed professor and director of the D.B Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University; and Tom Thibodeau, distinguished professor of servant leadership and director of Master of Arts in Servant Leadership program at Viterbo University.
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PDPW Prime Exhibitors are leading dairy-industry companies and service providers. We’ll continue to highlight several exhibitors in upcoming editions.
Thank you, PDPW Prime Exhibitors. We appreciate your continued support!
Click here to view all PDPW Prime exhibitors
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“Stay alive and keep your team safe,” will be presented in the Hands-On Hub both days by safety experts Gerald Minor and Chris St. Pierre with accident simulations and first-response drills.
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Learning Lounge sessions in the Hall of Ideas and Equipment both days will present sessions on transition-cow research, engaging team members to optimize performance, building a healthy, sustainable workplace culture and more.
For full details, visit the 2022 Business Conference website for the conference flier, hotel and registration details, as well as information on exhibiting at the event.
For a special rate on lodging at the Kalahari, book your rooms from this page on the PDPW website by Saturday, February 19.
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VOTE FOR 2022 PDPW BOARD CANDIDATES. As a dairy producer-led organization founded by dairy farmers, led by dairy farmers and serving dairy farmers, the election of the Board of Directors is critical to our organization’s success. Board members help plan and facilitate the development of programs that bring cutting-edge research, world-class training, peer-networking events and hands-on educational opportunities to the dairy industry.
Five candidates are on the ballot and three dairy producer members will be elected to seats on the 2022-23 PDPW Board of Directors. PDPW bylaws allow one vote per dairy farm membership. The PDPW board of directors has three available positions for 2020-21, each PDPW dairy farm member can vote for as many as three candidates.
Ballots can be cast in person at the 2022 PDPW Business Conference, or mailed to PDPW. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Feb. 21. View the ballot here.
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Financial Literacy for Dairy
Level 3: Mar. 23-24
Juneau, Wis.
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LEVEL 3 COURSE STARTS MARCH 23 to provide the tools and resources to take the financial management of your dairy business to the next level. The multi-level, multi-session financial development program provides dairy farmers, veterinarians, nutritionists and other agribusiness professionals a solid financial understanding and foundation – and then stretches their thinking to far broader concepts. The Level 3 session will be trained by Dick Wittman. Space is limited to 30 attendees per level, and pre-assessment is required to complete registration. Click here for more information.
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USING CHLORINE DIOXIDE AS A DISINFECTANT on dairy operations is effective because it can be used at low concentrations, has short contact times for pathogen inactivation, doesn’t cause resistance, and it’s the least corrosive of oxidizing disinfectants. An article from UW Extension shares specifications for chlorine dioxide products to use on dairy farms, including that it's certified for chemical treatment of potable drinking water and equipment sanitation and uses food-grade chemicals. The product’s vendor must also provide the capability to quickly and reliably verify that the chlorine dioxide concentrations are correct for various applications on a farm. Learn more in the full article.
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CONSISTENCY IS KEY IN FEED RATIONS, but how do you ensure that the ration the nutritionist designed makes it to the feed bunk? In a recent episode of The Dairy Signal™, Mark Tegeler of Diamond V shared results of audits and strategies for mixing, delivering and ensuring feed is accessible to cows. Several key factors include mix time after the last ingredient is added, mixing speed, wear on the equipment such as the auger and kicker plate, load sizes over and under capacity, forage processing and several more. Watch the full episode to see examples and learn more about each factor.
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APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED FOR DAIRY BUSINESS BUILDER GRANTS for projects including dairy farm diversification, the creation of value-added dairy products, enhancing dairy by-products or commodities and efforts to market dairy products for export. Dairy farmers, entrepreneurs and processors in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin are eligible to apply for grants up to $50,000 through the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance. Applications are due March 31. Learn more on the website.
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SUBTRACTION CAN ADD VALUE to your business. When looking to solve problems or develop new approaches, the tendency is to add new steps, processes or products. However, a Harvard Business Review article highlights the value that can come from subtracting or simplifying processes by taking away unnecessary steps, eliminating repetitive tasks or removing extra words from a document. Read more for tips on making subtraction a part of your team’s approach.
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TUNE INTO THE DAIRY SIGNAL™. Join leading experts across dairy and agricultural industries, government and regulatory associations and universities for insights on the most pressing issues in today’s marketplace. The educational sessions air every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with recorded episodes available for free at pdpw.org. Click here to find archived recordings of sessions.
Presenters and topics covered recently include:
Take a deep dive into cover crops and how they can be incorporated into dairy farming operations. Learn about potential forage use, tips for choosing the right mix and approach for individual farms and soil types, and the impact of cover crops on compaction. Episode presenter:
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Matthew Oehmichen, co-owner, Short Lane AG Supply LLC
Hear about the most common factors that cause inconsistent dairy feed rations and what you can do to address them, including ensuring consistent mixing of rations. Episode presenter:
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Mark Tegeler, M.Sc., ruminant technical field specialist, Diamond V
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Bob Myers, regional sales manager, Diamond V
Tune in for a bi-weekly update featuring the latest news and analysis of agricultural markets and trends that will impact dairy producers and the ag industry. Episode presenter:
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Ben Buckner, chief grain and dairy analyst, AgResource Company
Learn the ins and outs of concrete resurfacing including the process, when producers should begin thinking about taking action at their facilities and what to consider in decision making. Episode presenter:
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Logan Rivers, manager, Trak Rite Services
How do changes in a cow’s schedule impact lameness and other health factors? Learn about time budgets for dairy cows and the latest research in the importance of rumination and resting for rumen pH, health and milk components. Episode presenter:
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Dr. Rick Grant, president, William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute
Understand the five most deadly afflictions for calves – crypto, rotavirus, coronavirus, E. coli, and salmonella – and the most effective methods of prevention and the proper protocols in case of an outbreak. Episode presenter:
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Dr. Geof Smith, DVM, MS, PhD, veterinarian, dairy technical services, Zoetis
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UNDERSTANDING MANURE GASES HELPS PREPARE and keeps people safe when they’re working around manure storage facilities. Each of the four gases of concern – ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen sulfide – have specific characteristics that need to be considered. For example, ammonia has a sharp smell that can cause eye irritation and respiratory issues, but typically isn’t deadly; exposure to hydrogen sulfide can quickly cause paralysis of nerve cells in the nose, causing loss of smell and decreasing ability to sense the gas by smell alone. Learn more about each gas and how to effectively use personal gas monitors in the full article from Penn State Extension.
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USDA ANNOUNCED CHANGES IN SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS still allowing schools to serve 1 percent flavored milks. The change moves back to some of the stricter nutrition standards to cut sodium, require more whole grains and mandate more fruits and vegetables that were set in place by the Obama administration. USDA is planning a total reboot of nutrition standards that will not likely take effect until the 2024-25 school year. Read more in the full article.
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“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible!’” – Audrey Hepburn |
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PDPW educational calendar |
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March 15-16
Cornerstone Dairy Academy™
Wisconsin Dells, WI
March 16-17
Business Conference
Wisconsin Dells, WI
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Financial Literacy for dairy®: Level 3
Juneau, WI
Stride™ Youth Leadership Conference
Wisconsin Dells, WI
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Professional Dairy Producers
820 North Main St.
Juneau, WI 53039
800-947-7379
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