Registration is now open for the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association annual conference, scheduled for April 1-3 at the Hyatt on Main in Green Bay, Wisconsin. This year’s conference lineup includes hands-on educational seminars for both farm managers and employees, an inside look at industry-leading dairy operations and a keynote presentation from a renowned leader.
“When we set out to develop the agenda for this year’s conference, we knew we wanted it to be unique, exciting and an event that anyone involved in raising calves could learn something from,” says Vickie Franken, owner of City View Farms near Sioux Center, Iowa, and 2014 conference committee chairwoman.“Our planning committee is made up of dairy producers, industry and academia and the conference agenda reflects challenges and experiences that we, as dairy producers and calf and heifer raisers face on the farm each day.”
The 2014 DCHA Conference will welcome a wide variety of industry experts to Wisconsin to share research, expertise and advice on calf and heifer management. The goal of these seminars is to help producers improve productivity and profitability on their operations. New this year, the conference sessions will be split between classroom settings and on-farm visits, with research shared in the classroom and management practices demonstrated on area farms.
In addition to valuable information for farm managers, an educational employee track will be offered at the conference. Industry experts will help train calf and heifer employees and team members on strategic heifer growing practices.
Donald Driver will keynote this year’s event, offering his advice on leadership and sharing his experiences and recommendations for success – a story that relates well to calf and heifer growers.
Driver is the Green Bay Packers’ all-time leading receiver, a Super Bowl Champion and the only player in Packers history to record seven 1,000-yard receiving seasons. After retiring from his historic football career, Driver parlayed his on-field success into a spot on ABC’s ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ winning the reality television show and then appearing as a correspondent on ‘Good Morning America’, ‘Katie’ and as a celebrity guest at the 2013 White House Correspondent’s Dinner.
Driver will share his story and path to success at the conference, including his childhood struggles with homelessness and the steps he took to become – and remain – successful as an athlete, entertainer and humanitarian.
Other highlights for the 2014 conference include a trade show focused specifically on calf and heifer products and services, and a behind the scenes tour and networking social event at Lambeau Field.
Custom heifer raisers, dairy producers, veterinarians, nutritionists and anyone with a vested interest in raising calves is invited to attend the upcoming conference.
Click here to view an agenda and to register, or call (855) 400-3242. Sponsorship opportunities are available. PD
—From DCHA news release
