Mark Your Calendar: Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Secure the future of your farm by learning from experts about the future of the dairy industry, heifer raising, drug residue challenges and parlor efficiency at Thursday sessions of the 2014 Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference.
The conference will take place Feb. 6?8 at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
The first day of the conference will feature Normand St-Pierre, Extension dairy specialist at Ohio State University, who will forecast the future of the dairy industry in the Midwest. Attendees will also have the opportunity to listen as experts from Rabobank discuss the dairy economy around the world and share real-world examples for boosting your bottom line.
The conference offers several in-depth workshops. Ron Erskine, professor in animal science at Michigan State University, will walk participants through ways to reduce farm risk of drug residue, and improve meat and milk quality through practices all over the farm. Robert James, Virginia Tech University dairy specialist, will examine the economics of raising heifers and cover what is right for each individual farm, tackling topics such as custom raising versus raising your own heifers, culling versus planned breeding, and locale. Dr. Tom Fuhrmann, veterinarian and owner of Dairy Works, will share how to get the most out of the parlor, including ways to improve parlor efficiency through cow flow, milking procedures and caring for cows’ health.
Don’t miss the exhibitor showcase, presentation of the Excellence in Dairy Award and Dairy Challenge awards or the Great Lakes Commercial Heifer Extravaganza IX Sale.
Individual (adult), student and farm registration options are available. Registrations received before Jan. 31, 2014, will save up to $25 per day. This is an extension of the original Jan. 17 deadline. Online registration closes Feb. 2, 2014, at midnight.
Visit www.glrdc.msu.edu for the complete conference schedule or to register online. Participants can also register by phone by calling 517-353-3175.
