The two-day event hosted by the Dairy Business Association (DBA) takes place January 22 and 23 at the Monona Terrace in Madison, Wisconsin, and it welcomes dairy producers from across the country and around the world to take part.

In its sixth year, this event is a “must attend” for progressive people in dairy. Farmers at Dairy Strong are owners, managers and decision makers. They are business people with an aptitude for creativity and the desire to succeed today and tomorrow.  

For more information or to register for Dairy Strong, visit Dairy Strong's website

Featured keynote speakers

Dr. Kate Darlin is a leading expert in robot ethics and is a research specialist at MIT, where she investigates social robotics and conducts research on human-robot interaction.

Brett Scottio fuses best practice and intelligence disciplines with marketing research methodologies to explain the “farmer of the future.”

Marin Bozic is a leading expert on dairy trade, policy and risk management. He’ll give an overall outlook for 2020 as well as practical solutions that dairy farmers can put into practice.

Col. Nicole Malachowski is a decorated combat veteran and first female Thunderbird pilot.

Schedule of events

 
Innovation Stage presentations

Wednesday, January 22

12:30 p.m. - Healthy calves, healthy business, Dr. Jennifer Van Os, assistant professor and extension specialist in animal welfare at UW Madison.
Sponsored by Calf-Tel.

1 p.m. - Advancing U.S. dairy’s leadership position in a global market
Karen Scanlon, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy

1:30 p.m. - Increase herd profitability through genetics and heifer inventory management,
Kevin Ziemba, STGenetics. Sponsored by STGenetics.

2 p.m. - The economics of a low cull rate, Andy Bohnhoff, ProAGtive Technologies.
Sponsored by ProAGtive Technologies.

2:30 p.m. - Are you milking your farm’s efficiency, Jessica Mlsna, Focus on Energy, Kevin Weiler, Focus on Energy. Sponsored by Focus on Energy.

3 p.m. - Ecosystem services markets: A path to cleaner water in Wisconsin,
Steve Rowe, Newtrient. Sponsored by Newtrient.

3:30 p.m. - Customized solutions to reduce clostridial risk, Dr. Tom Rehberger, Arm & Hammer. Sponsored by Arm & Hammer.

4 p.m. - Dairy animal welfare certification: How to effectively engage,
Matt Jones and Leann Saunders, Where Food Comes From.
Sponsored by Where Food Comes From.

4:30 p.m. - Rethinking rotations. How progressive dairies can lower the cost of production, increase feed efficiency and address environmental concern, Daniel Olson, Forage Innovations. Sponsored by Byron Seeds.

Wednesday, January 22

8 a.m. -  Embracing your platform: A farmer’s experience using social media to influence consumers, Hannah Vander Poel, @IDdairygirl, Northern Sky Dairy. Sponsored by Cargill. 

Track 1: Supply chain

Secure milk supply – Safety across the dairy supply chains, Dr. Darlene Konkle, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; Becki Slater, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; Mike Starkey, Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Moderated by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

Stronger together – How collaboration contributes to conservation success, Sponsored by Michael Best. • Cody Carpenter, Redrock View Farms • Wes Garner, GLC Minerals • Colleen Geurts, Schreiber Foods Inc. • Doug Thomas, Houston Engineering Inc. • Greg Siegenthaler, Grande Cheese.
Moderated by Paige Frautschy, The Nature Conservancy.

Track 2: Dairy vs. plant-based

In light of changing consumer preference: FDA modernization of standards of identity and labeling claims, Emily Lyons, Husch Blackwell LLP.
Sponsored by Husch Blackwell LLP.

Dairy milk vs. non dairy: A look at consumer trends, nutrition and sustainability perceptions, Jen Walsh, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
Sponsored by Quality Liquid Feeds.

Track 3: Economic opportunities

Breaking through the noise of today's risk management tools, Mike North,
Vault Ag; Ryan Yonkman Vault Ag. Sponsored by Vault Ag.

Prospering in a down ag economy, Paul Neiffer, principal, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP.
Sponsored by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP.

In-booth presentations

Wednesday, January 22

12:30 p.m. - Mastitis identification, formation and farm troubleshooting, Brett Roeller, director of national accounts, Qualitru Sampling System.
Sponsored by Qualitru Sampling Systems.

1 p.m. - Beef-on-dairy: Considerations for your breeding program,
Amanda Cauffman, Ag Educator, UW-Madison Division of Extension. 
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Beef Council.

2 p.m. - Engaging with consumers today: breaking through and building bridges, Nate Janssen, director, farmer relations, Dairy Management Inc.
Coordinated by Dairy Management Inc.

2:30 p.m. - Modern dairy facility ventilation is entering a new phase of intelligent machines, Michael Wolf, consulting veterinarian, VES Environmental Solutions. 
Sponsored by VES Environmental Solutions.

4 p.m. - What do wine, cheese and your cows’ health have in common?
Dr. Neil Michael, manager, technical services, Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition.
Sponsored by Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production.

4:30 p.m. - The Beef Checkoff – What your dollar does, Tammy Vaassen, executive director; Brooke Roberts, director of communications, Wisconsin Beef Council.
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Beef Council.