Penn State research shows that reproductive performance is one the most common bottlenecks to profitability on Pennsylvania dairies. Reproductive performance impacts the bulk tank as longer days open and extended calving intervals lead to fewer days of peak milk production. To address these bottlenecks to profitability, Penn State Dairy Alliance is offering a series of Advanced Reproduction Workshops at sites across the state in March. This workshop is for dairy producers, their employees, and interested dairy industry personnel. Participants in the Advanced Reproduction Workshop will receive in-depth training in heat synchronization methods, the use of BioPRYN, using genomics to improve herd genetics, and managing reproductive diseases.

Instructors will include: Penn State Extension educators Robert Goodling, Gary Hennip, Brian Kelly and Amber Yutzy, and Dr. Robert Van Saun of the Penn State Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences.

The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following dates, at these locations:
• Huntingdon County: March 15, Penn State Cooperative Extension Office in Huntingdon County, 10722 Fairgrounds Road, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.
• Lancaster County: March 17, Shady Maple Smorgasbord, 129 Toddy Drive, East Earl, Pennsylvania.
• Mercer County: March 22, Penn State Cooperative Extension Office in Mercer County, 463 N. Perry Highway, Mercer, Pennsylvania.
• Bradford County: March 24, Blast Central Intermediate Unit, 33 Springbrook Drive, Canton, Pennsylvania.

Advance registration is required. Thanks to a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Pennsylvania producers and their dairy employees may attend at the discounted rate of $25 per person. The registration fee is $50 per person for all others. To register, call the Penn State Dairy Alliance Office at (888) 373-7232, or register online with a credit card. This workshop qualifies for two SmartStart credits through AgChoice Farm Credit. PD

—From Penn State Dairy Alliance news release