For the past five decades, World Dairy Expo has brought world-class seminars to the place where the dairy industry meets – in Madison, Wisconsin.

This year, eight seminars will feature cutting-edge topics, including dairy product demand, workforce trends, manure processing, pregnancy rates, water quality and nutrition, genomic testing, low milk prices and the Veterinary Feed Directive.

Continuing education credits can be earned by members of the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) and the American Association of State Veterinary Boards – RACE Program (RACE). All seminars will be available for viewing.

Seminars will be showcased Tuesday through Saturday in the Mendota 2 meeting room, located in the Exhibition Hall. Badgerland Financial, Channel, CRV, Dairy Management Inc., DeKalb, Feed Supervisor Software, Richie Industries Inc. and Quality Liquid Feeds Inc. are sponsors of this year’s seminars. Following is a brief synopsis of each seminar.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4

1 p.m. – How the Dairy Checkoff is Driving Demand for You

Tom Gallagher, CEO,
Dairy Management Inc.
Sponsored by: Dairy Management Inc.

Consumers’ buying habits are rapidly changing the landscape of where and how dairy products are consumed and produced – a trend not likely to change. This seminar will take a glimpse into the marketing efforts of the dairy checkoff and what this means for the future for dairy farmers.

Tom Gallagher will discuss what dairy promotion is doing to drive innovation, demand, sales and consumer trust through an aligned dairy community, both today and into the future. He will highlight how Dairy Management Inc., the organization responsible for managing the dairy checkoff program, is working with partners on product innovation and consumer confidence.

Additionally, he will outline ways the program responds to consumer interests and concerns about how milk and dairy foods are produced. Gallagher is the chief executive officer of Dairy Management Inc., the management organization that works to increase sales of – and demand for – dairy products and ingredients on behalf of America’s dairy farmers.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5

11 a.m. – Agricultural Workforce Trends and their Implications for Dairy Managers

Thomas Maloney,
Senior Extension Associate, Cornell University
Sponsored by: DeKalb

Emerging workforce trends are likely to have a considerable impact on dairy employee wages, benefits and working conditions in the years ahead. Some of these trends include potential changes in immigration policy, expectations of consumers, expectations of worker advocates and breakthroughs in automation.

Over the next 10 years, dairy employers will be challenged to keep wages and benefits competitive, stay in compliance with labor regulations and retain the most qualified and productive employees.

Thomas Maloney will outline emerging trends and identify strategies to address workforce changes. He is a senior extension associate in the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University. For three decades, Maloney has been responsible for extension programs in human resource management and agricultural labor policy.

Additionally, he has conducted educational programs on a variety of human resource-related areas including employee recruitment, compensation and employee performance and motivation. Maloney’s work has also focused on the Latino workforce and immigration reform, having co-authored several research publications relating to these issues.

1 p.m. – Phosphorus Trade-offs in No Till: And a Possible Solution

Clinton Church,
Research Chemist, USDA - ARS
Sponsored by: Badgerland Financial

Manure management is something every dairy producer encounters. Clinton Church will discuss where we are with manure management and where we are heading. Currently, the benefits of no-till for soil loss are widely accepted, but there are some significant challenges with phosphorus. Church will weigh the benefits and drawbacks of phosphorus and no-till management.

He will also present studies on cutting-edge manure injection equipment and its benefits and challenges in relation to phosphorus management. Finally, Church will detail one solution for this concern with the design and testing of the MAPHEX (MAnure PHosphorus EXtraction) System. Church is a research chemist at the USDA – Agricultural Research Station.

His background and research interests investigate the interrelationships between water, chemistry and microbiology. Church’s research currently focuses on metals, nutrients and emerging contaminants derived from agricultural practices. Clinton holds a doctorate in environmental science and engineering from Oregon Health and Science University.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6

11 a.m. – Achieving High Pregnancy Rates in High-Producing Dairy Herds

Paul Fricke,
Professor, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Sponsored by: Feed Supervisor Software

It is often believed high milk production is antagonistic to excellent reproductive performance in dairy cows. Paul Fricke will give an overview of reproductive management strategies to achieve high pregnancy rates in high-producing dairy herds. He will cover strategies for first insemination and methods for early non-pregnancy diagnosis.

Additionally, he will discuss potential protocols for second and greater inseminations and the cow and management factors associated with poor fertility in lactating dairy cows. Fricke joined the faculty in the department of dairy science at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1998 and was promoted to professor in 2009.

Fricke’s research program focuses on understanding the biological problems presented by modern dairy cattle. His goals are to improve the reproductive efficiency of dairy cattle by applying knowledge gained through scientific research, develop practical management strategies, assess new reproductive technologies and disseminate that information throughout the world.

1 p.m. – Drinking Water Nutrition and Quality: Could it be a Constraint in Your Herd?

David Beede,
Professor, Michigan State University
Sponsored by: Ritchie Industries Inc.

Drinking water is the most critical nutrient required to optimize and enhance the performance and health of dairy cattle. Typically, it has been considered a relatively inexpensive and abundant resource in most dairy operations. Even today, drinking water is often not considered a limiting factor to productivity and health until all other nutritional avenues have been evaluated.

Too often, dairy producers and industry consultants don’t know the quantity or quality of water animals are consuming. David Beede will lead a discussion on how to evaluate and troubleshoot water quality issues. He will draw from his 35 years of relevant research and extensive knowledge of on-farm practices with regard to water nutrition.

Beede currently serves as C. E. Meadows Endowed Chair of Dairy Cattle Management and Nutrition in the department of animal science at Michigan State University. He also serves as editor-in-chief of the 94-chapter ebook publication Large Dairy Herd Management to be released in 2017 by the American Dairy Science Association Foundation.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7

11 a.m. – Making Money with Genomic Testing on the Dairy Farm

Albert De Vries,
Associate Professor, University of Florida
Sponsored by: CRV USA

Genomic testing of dairy females clearly shows genetic differences between animals. Combined with reproductive techniques, application of this technology creates many options for reproductive management decisions – including selling surplus heifers or the selective breeding of heifers and cows with sexed or beef semen.

Albert De Vries will present the technical and financial opportunities and drawbacks of various options with the goal of improving profitability and helping producers reach their management and breeding goals. De Vries is an associate professor in the department of animal sciences at the University of Florida, where he teaches two undergraduate courses.

Additionally, he conducts research in culling and replacement strategies, statistical process control, economics of reproduction and genetics, and precision dairy farming. In De Vries’ extension role, he works firsthand with dairy producers to consult on farm financial management and on applications of the results of dairy systems management research.

1 p.m. – Surviving Low Milk Prices

Robert Parsons,
Professor, University of Vermont
Sponsored by: Channel

Dealing with low milk prices has become a greater challenge as price swings seem to go lower – and stay lower – for longer periods of time. In the current downswing, dairy producers face severe cash-flow deficits that challenge their sustainability and way of life. Robert Parsons will outline ideas to help alleviate some of the financial burden farms are facing.

During his discussion, he will also give ideas for implementing cash-flow practices and other financial controls that can assist with long-term success. Parsons is an extension ag economist at the University of Vermont, where he evaluates the profitability of organic dairies, conducts farm transition training and examines the economics of farm biodigesters.

Additionally, he has provided financial training for USDA farm loan officers. Prior to Parsons’ tenure at the university, he worked in the dairy supply sector. He has worked alongside dairy producers from Vermont – and across the U.S. – on financial management.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

11 a.m. – VFD: Challenges for the Feed Industry and Producer

Richard Sellers,
Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Education,
American Feed Industry Association
Sponsored by: Quality Liquid Feeds Inc.

The FDA and animal drug companies have agreed to eliminate growth promotion and feed efficiency claims on medicated feed labels in December 2015. Use of the same approved animal drugs will be for therapeutic purposes only under an order called the Veterinary Feed Directive or VFD.

Richard Sellers will outline this directive, to be implemented in 2017, and how it will impact all of animal agriculture, including 19 drug compounds with more than 280 uses. There are challenges ahead for feed companies and producers alike, and being better informed will assist in understanding this new initiative.

Sellers is the senior vice president for public policy and education of the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) in Arlington, Virginia. He has been with AFIA for 25 years and was promoted to his current position in 2012. Sellers is a board-certified professional animal scientist in the American College of Animal Sciences.

Other seminars and events offered during World Dairy Expo:

Tuesday, October 4
5 p.m.
Monona, Wingra,
Waubesa and Kegonsa Rooms
World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Auction

Wednesday, October 5
10 a.m.
Arena Building
Forage Seminar Stage
Invisible Losses from Corn Silage Piles And Bunkers: Real ‘Shrink’ Losses
Peter Robinson, Extension Dairy Nutrition and Management Specialist
University of California – Davis

1:30 p.m.
Arena Building
Forage Seminar Stage
‘It’ Doesn’t Just Happen: What Manure Evaluation Can Tell Us About Cows and Rations
Mary Beth Hall, Dairy Scientist
U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin

4 p.m.
Monona Room
University of Wisconsin – Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Reception

Thursday, October 6

7:30 a.m.
Wingra Room
Dairy Girl Network

8 a.m.
Waubesa and Kegonsa Rooms
BouMatic Dairy Day

10 a.m.
Arena Building
Forage Seminar Stage
Feeding Reduced-Lignin Alfalfa: How Do We Achieve the Most from This New Technology?
David Weakley, Director of Dairy Forage Nutrition Research
Forage Genetics International, Gray Summit, Missouri

1:30 p.m.
Arena Building
Forage Seminar Stage
What to Look for When Feeding This Year’s Forage
John Goeser,
Animal Nutrition Director Rock River Laboratory,
Watertown, Wisconsin

4:30 p.m.
Monona Room
University of Wisconsin – Platteville School of Agriculture Reception

4:30 p.m.
Exhibition Hall Balcony
National Agri-Marketing Association Reception
Hosted by the Badger NAMA Chapter

5:30 p.m.
Atrium and Mendota 2-4
National Dairy Shrine Banquet

6 p.m.
Wingra Room
Polled Promoters Social

Friday, October 7

10 a.m.
Arena Building
Forage Seminar Stage
Selecting, Establishing and Managing Cover Crops After Corn Silage
Heidi Johnson,
Crops and Soils Agent
University of Wisconsin Extension, Dane County

1:30 p.m.
Arena Building
Forage Seminar Stage
Forage Quality for High-Producing Dairy Herds: Key Performance Indicators
Randy Shaver,
Extension Dairy Nutritionist
University of Wisconsin – Madison

4:30 p.m.
Monona Room
University of Wisconsin – River Falls CAFES Alumni Reception

Saturday, October 8

10 a.m.
Arena Building
Forage Seminar Stage
Is It Better for Forages to be More Digestible or to Digest More Quickly?
David Combs,
Professor of Dairy Science
University of Wisconsin – Madison  

—From World Dairy Expo