Nearly 350 growers, producers, veterinarians, academia, and dairy industry representatives came together in America’s Dairyland for the Dairy Calf & Heifer Association’s annual conference. The meeting and trade show were held earlier this month in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. In two days, attendees acquired knowledge, tricks of the trade, product ideas and, for some, a little extra cash.
( of DCHA's Dairy Dollar$ game. )
Sixteen speakers present the latest on mastitis, reproduction, animal behavior, disease intervention, nutrition, colostrum management, DCHA’s Gold Standards. Management topics included U.S. dairy trends, retirement planning, farm safety and alternative enterprises.
Fellow dairy producer Hank Wagner shared how the lessons he learned early in life taught him to work smarter not harder and to be thankful. Through a video presentation, Idaho heifer grower Darin Mann provided a tour of his family's operation and what they've done to keep it community friendly.
Standing room only crowds packed the demonstration rooms where presenters offered an inside look at respiratory disease, cow-side colostrum management and heifer hoof health. Lungs, udders and hooves were on display for all to see and feel.
The trade show was the hot spot for the debut of DCHA’s Dairy Dollar$ game, based on NBC’s hit show “Minute to Win It.”
Calf raising contestants competed throughout the event for a chance at the $500 grand prize. The lucky and talented winner was Amanda Hackmann from Longview Animal Nutrition Center in Washington, Missouri. See the final round in the . PD
PHOTOS:
TOP RIGHT: Calf raisers participated in the first ever DCHA’s Dairy Dollar$ game. In the first round, contestants needed to stack five dice on the end of a tongue depressor.
TOP LEFT: Attendees of the 2011 DCHA Conference enjoyed the demonstration labs.
Photos and video by PD Editor Karen Lee.
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