PA Dairy Summit to Offer Topics to Strengthen Dairy Industry - Cowsmo

PA Dairy Summit to Offer Topics to Strengthen Dairy Industry

LANCASTER, Pa. – The 2017 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit, scheduled for February 8 and 9, promises a fast-paced program for dairy farmers that offers a mix of presentations featuring innovative management styles and motivating industry insight with networking opportunities. PA Dairy SummitThe Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania and Center for Dairy Excellence host the premier dairy event annually for dairy farmers of all production methods.

Keynote and breakout speaker Dr. Lowell Catlett, Regents Professor in agricultural economics, agricultural business and extension economics, will speak on international dairy markets and why now is the best time to be in agriculture. Internationally known as an expert in commodities futures markets, Dr. Catlett delivers an entertaining presentation incorporating his knowledge of technologies and their implications on the way we will live and work. He has counseled the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Interior, Defense, Labor, Education, and Energy, as well as consulted with the World Bank and many Fortune 500 companies.

General session speakers also include Dick Wittman, owner of Wittman Consulting, and Thomas Thibodeau, Distinguished Professor with Viterbo University. Wittman, a crop, timber and cattle rancher in Culdesac, Idaho, will lead a discussion on professional development for the family business. Thibodeau, professor of Servant Leadership, will present principals to become a leader in the dairy industry.

The Producer Showcase featuring Jeff Burnett, of Burnett Enterprises in Carpenter, Wyoming, will share the lessons and experiences from the partnership with his brother, Jay and their wives, Kim and Lisa. Burnett will showcase the operation, specifically referencing recent changes to the feed center and calf management, as well as highlight working with family and their experiences managing a 3,000+ cow dairy through a banking crisis.

Breakout session topics include:

 GMO – Understanding What it is and How it will Influence Your Business

 Animal Care – Why is this Important and What are the Next Steps for the Industry

 Organic Dairy Farming

 Antibiotic Regulations & Animal Health

 Prospects for Immigration Reform & Implications for Farm Managers

 Current Events Open Discussion

Three producer panels will be hosted. On the “Growing in Non-Traditional Ways” producer panel, Andrea & Cliff Sensenig from Compass Farms, Dan Gross from Cold Springs Farms and Jack, Gail, and Rich Lindell from Lindell Farms, LLC, will discuss unique business plans for their respective farms. Allen Behrer from Lion Country Farm will explain the network of Wi-Fi-capable cameras on his farm, Brad Biehl from Corner View Farm will talk about Global Positioning uses and Dan Mains from Mt. Rock Jerseys will discuss calf feeders on the “New Technologies” panel. Vicki Baker from Maple

Bottom Farm and Mark and Marie Canon from Canon Dairy Farm will share their “Decision Making” process when choosing between robots and a parlor transition project.

Kay Johnson Smith, president and CEO of Animal Agriculture Alliance, will lead an “Early Bird” session on Thursday to present the techniques used by Anti-Animal Agriculture Activists.

Registration information will be made available in November.

To learn more about the program and to view highlights of the 2017 Pennsylvanian Dairy Summit program, go to padairysummit.org. Contact the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit Business Office with questions at 814-355-2467 or email [email protected].

 

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