Hands-On Demonstrations New to Pa. Dairy Summit
Source: Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania
In addition to the outstanding program planned for the 2014 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit, a new feature has been added so that attendees can get hands-on training on tools and techniques to enhance their production.
At various times throughout the two-day conference being held at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 12 – 13, hands-on demonstrations will be conducted, many that allow producers to run their own samples and data to get real-time results while learning how to use the technology at home.
"Being strategically located near the resources of our partners at Penn State University, we have access at this year’s Summit to bring some great tools on site for demonstration," said Jennifer Heltzel, dairy producer and Chair of the 2014 PA Dairy Summit. "I think it’s a great way to get engaged and learn at the same time."
Hosted annually by the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania and the Center for Dairy Excellence, the annual summit brings in more than 500 dairy producers and other industry enthusiasts for two days of learning and networking.
The demonstrations will be held in a special room, close to exhibitors, that will be open for use at various times on both days. Producers are encouraged to bring samples and/or data to run through the models and tools for real-time results.
More information on what to bring is outlined at www.padairysummit.org under "Program," then "Demonstration Area Topics." For specific information and instructions, contact the Penn State Extension Dairy Team at 1-888-373-7232 or dairyteam@psu.edu.
On Wednesday, February 12, attendees can see and participate in the following demonstrations:
On-Farm Culture
Knowledge of what pathogen is causing clinical mastitis will allow producers to make proactive treatment decisions and help to eliminate unnecessary use of ineffective antibiotics. On-site demos will include how to run and interpret the test and, if they so choose, producers will be able to culture their own milk samples and obtain bacteriology results the next day for a fee of $5.
Lameness
Lameness is a significant animal health, welfare, and economic problem on many dairy farms. Using cadaver specimens, a member of the Penn State Veterinary Extension Team will discuss how to prevent lameness in your herd, and how to treat a lame cow.
Water Testing
Summit attendees can have their water tested on-site for pH, total dissolved solids, nitrate and iron and for the presence/absence test for E. coli bacteria and coliform (first come, first served).
Dairy Analysis Tool
Dr. David Galligan from the University of Pennsylvania will show attendees how to use the innovative database designed to evaluate performance and give attendees who bring their Herd and RAC code a snapshot of where their dairy is today.
On the second day, Thursday, February 13th demonstrations will be given on:
Colostrum
Colostrum management is essential to your calves’ health and the best way to ensure quality colostrum is being fed is to test. Summit attendees will be shown how to test colostrum using a refractometer. They can even bring a small sample of colostrum to the demonstration room to test to see how easy and fast it can be!
Herd Genetic Trend
Summit attendees will want to bring their own herd codes for this hands-on demonstration of computer software that spots trends in herd genetics. A Personalized Genetic Trend Visualization computer program will be demonstrated and participants will have the ability to enter their own herd codes for their personal report.
Corn Particle Size
Since corn particle sizes change, understanding how and where it is digested can be useful in formulating rations. This hands-on demonstration will show dairy producers how to measure and monitor corn particle size for best results.
Penn State TMR Particle Size Separator
Using the Penn State TMR Particle Size Separator helps determine the fiber particle size of diets and effective fiber intake of dairy cows. Participants are encouraged to stop in the demonstration room to see how easy the Separator is to use and, if interested in getting their own hands-on analysis of their TMR particle size, they can bring a sample to run through the Separator.
For more information about the Summit is available at www.padairysummit.org and questions can be directed to info@padairysummit.org or (814) 355-2467 .
