The Knowledge Nook consists of several 45-minute sessions held daily in the atrium of the Exhibition Hall.
The Knowledge Nook schedule is listed below, with descriptions for each presentation.
TUESDAY, OCT. 1
11:30 a.m.
Growing Your Business for Generations to Come – Are We Shaping the Right Model?
Francisco Rodriguez, integrated robotics manager, DeLaval
Sponsor: DeLaval
12:30 p.m.
Labor Issues and Animal Welfare – Are Milking Robots Part of the Solution?
Jouni Pitkäranta, Master of Science, founder and board chairman, 4dBarn
Virpi Kurkela, DVM, veterinary specialist, 4dBarn
Sponsor: 4dBarn
1:30 p.m.
Essential Microbial Support: Improving Health and Performance with Probiotics
Dr. Mike Hutjens, professor, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois
Sponsor: CHR Hansen
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 2
9:30 a.m.
Evolution of Hybrid Alfalfa and What’s Next
Sara Hendrickson, forage leader, Dairyland Seed
Chad Staudinger, regional sales manager, Dairyland Seed
Steve Wagner, alfalfa plant breeder, Corteva Agriscience
Sponsor: Dairyland Seed
10:30 a.m.
Better Haymaking - Greater ROI and Feed Quality for Dairy Operations Through Denser Bales
Curt Hoffman, crop packaging marketing manager, New Holland
Jordan Milewski, crop preparation marketing manager, New Holland
Sponsor: New Holland Agriculture
11:30 a.m.
Herd Insights Brought to Life with Augmented Reality
Roxie Muller, innovation manager, Nedap Livestock Management
Sponsor: Nedap
12:30 p.m.
Colostrum for So Many Other Reasons
Dr. Rick Dumm, DVM
Sponsor: Dairy Tech Incorporated
1:30 p.m.
Managing Dairy Crossbreds Health and How to Market Them
Dr. Grant Crawford, Merck Animal Health
Sponsor: Merck Animal Health
THURSDAY, OCT. 3
9:30 a.m.
Colostrum for So Many Other Reasons
Dr. Rick Dumm, DVM
Sponsor: Dairy Tech Incorporated
10:30 a.m.
Estrotect Breeding Indicators – A New Reproduction Management Tool
Ky Pohler, Ph.D., associate professor, Texas A&M University
Sponsor: Estrotect
11:30 a.m.
Phixup – An Innovative and Natural Way to Maintain Optimum Ruminal Conditions
Rodrigo Araujo de Souza, Ph.D., business unit manager, North America, Timab Magnesium USA
Sponsor: Timab Magnesium USA
12:30 p.m.
Starting Calves with Force – Lifetime Health and Production Begin on Day One
Dr. David P. Casper, technical services leader/dairy nutritionist, Furst-McNess Company
Sponsor: Furst-McNess Company
1:30 p.m.
Acoustic Pulse Technology – Increasing Milk Yield and Treating Mastitis Free of Antibiotics
Gabriel Leitner, Ph.D., chief science officer, Armenta
Sponsor: Armenta
FRIDAY, OCT. 4
9:30 a.m.
Colostrum for So Many Other Reasons
Dr. Rick Dumm, DVM
Sponsor: Dairy Tech Incorporated
10:30 a.m.
Starting Calves with Force – Lifetime Health and Production Begin on Day One
Dr. David P. Casper, technical services leader/dairy nutritionist, Furst-McNess Company
Sponsor: Furst-McNess Company
11:30 a.m.
Microbial Inoculation Improves Silage Aerobic Stability after Short-Term Fermentation: Fact or Fiction?
Dr. Luiz Ferraretto, associate professor of livestock nutrition, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida
Sponsor: CHR Hansen
12:30 p.m.
Component Production: Is Your Herd Efficiency Up to Par?
Dr. Mike Messman, U.S. dairy technology leader, Cargill Animal Nutrition
Sponsor: Cargill
1:30 p.m.
Managing Dairy Crossbreds Health and How to Market Them
Dr. Grant Crawford, Merck Animal Health
Sponsor: Merck Animal Health
SATURDAY, OCT. 5
9:30 a.m.
Simplified Farm Data Management with UNIFORM
Shawnna Finnerty, project and support manager, North America, UNIFORM-Agri
Sponsor: UNIFORM-Agri
10:30 a.m.
DeLaval: 360-degree Interactive Virtual Facility Tours
Jeff Prashaw, AIA (project design manager), DeLaval
Sponsor: DeLaval
Knowledge Nook session descriptions
Labor Issues and Animal Welfare – Are Milking Robots Part of the Solution?
Jouni Pitkäranta, Master of Science, founder and board chairman, 4dBarn
Virpi Kurkela, DVM, veterinary specialist, 4dBarn
Labor issues are the main reason for milk producers to change from conventional to robotic milking, along with consumers’ demand for higher standards in animal welfare. With the right kind of decisions made in the design phase, an automated milking system barn can be a place where we can provide the cows with resources for them to use with minimal human interaction and without people to disturb them too much. That makes robot facilities both work-efficient and cow-friendly.
Jouni Pitkäranta is a founder and chairman of the board in 4dBarn, a global leader in automated milking system facility design. Pitkäranta was born on a dairy farm and started to make dairy barn drawings at the age of 11. This enthusiasm followed him all through his youth, and he graduated from Helsinki University of Technology in 2006. Before 4dBarn, Pitkäranta has worked in his own architecture office as a dairy barn designer. So far, he has designed approximately 700 dairy barns. With 4dBarn, Pitkäranta is using his architectural skills to create work-efficient layouts and gate design, which is absolutely his core competence.
Virpi Kurkela, DVM, is a veterinary specialist with 4dBarn. In her work designing and boosting barns with automated milking systems, she focuses on ensuring excellent animal health and welfare for good production and efficient working. After graduation in 1999, Kurkela worked as a practicing veterinarian, mostly in large-animal practice, and as a consulting veterinarian for dairy farms in a rural advisory organization. She has a lot of post-graduate education and experience, especially in udder health management and the influence of barn environment and design on health and production of dairy cows, calves and heifers.
Essential Microbial Support: Improving Health and Performance with Probiotics
Dr. Mike Hutjens, professor, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois
Bovamine Dairy Plus combines four of the most extensively researched animal probiotic strains. The unique combination of strains competes with pathogenic organisms in the digestive tract, including species of Clostridium, Salmonella and E. coli. Extensive research, notably 62 research trials and 27 peer-reviewed articles conducted on ruminants, has demonstrated that the Bacillus strains in this product specifically inhibit the most critical pathogens. This new combination of bacteria produces enzymes that digest fiber and starch and enhance multiple functions of the intestinal epithelium, including structural integrity, barrier function and absorptive surface area. As an element in the daily diet, Bovamine Dairy Plus minimizes the adverse health event challenges caused by clostridia before they happen.
Mike Hutjens was raised on a grade Holstein farm near Green Bay, Wisconsin. His bachelor, master’s and doctorate degrees were awarded from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. From 1971 to 1979, Hutjens was extension dairy specialist at the University of Minnesota. Since 1979, he has been a member of the University of Illinois Animal Sciences Departments as an extension dairy specialist. He is a world-renowned speaker. In addition, he writes regular feed columns for Hoard’s Dairyman and hosts the Hoard’s Dairy monthly webinars. Mike’s awards are plentiful, including recognition by the American Dairy Science Association, Minnesota Board of Regents, World Dairy Expo, Illinois Farm Bureau Association, National DHI Service Award and many other honorable accomplishments throughout his career. He and his wife, Carol, reside in Savoy, Illinois, with their five children and seven grandchildren.
Evolution of Hybrid Alfalfa and What’s Next
Sara Hendrickson, forage leader, Dairyland Seed; Chad Staudinger, regional sales manager, Dairyland Seed; Steve Wagner, alfalfa plant breeder, Corteva Agriscience
Hybrid alfalfa technology can offer unparalleled success to forage and dairy farmers looking for more milk from every acre. Join this session to learn how HybriForce-4400, a fourth-generation hybrid alfalfa and the latest innovation in alfalfa breeding, was created to deliver outstanding yield potential in a wide variety of environments. A panel of industry experts and producers will share how hybrid alfalfa technology has evolved, the difference between hybrid and conventional seeds, experiences with the HybriForce portfolio and how this technology continues to deliver profits to the producer’s bottom line.
Sara Hendrickson is the forage leader for Dairyland Seed, where she helps develop and maintain existing on-farm product testing programs and coordinates the implementation of a strategy to stimulate interest in Dairyland Seed’s forage products. Hendrickson holds a bachelor’s degree in dairy science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Chad Staudinger, regional sales manager for Dairyland Seed, works directly with district managers, dealers and customers in Wisconsin. Formerly the forage product manager, Staudinger has worked extensively with Dairyland Seed’s on-farm alfalfa strip trial program. He holds a bachelor’s degree in dairy science with a focus on dairy nutrition from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Steve Wagner is an alfalfa plant breeder at Corteva Agriscience in West Salem, Wisconsin. Wagner has been instrumental in advancing the hybrid alfalfa breeding system for Dairyland Seed and expanding alfalfa research and testing. Wagner holds a master’s degree in plant breeding and genetics from the University of Minnesota – St. Paul.
Better Haymaking – Greater ROI and Feed Quality for Dairy Operations Through Denser Bales
Curt Hoffman, crop packaging marketing manager, New Holland; Jordan Milewski, crop preparation marketing manager, New Holland
A recent study conducted by Penn State University confirms round bale density leads to improved cattle nutrition and producer return on investment. New Holland crop packaging marketing manager Curt Hoffman and crop preparation marketing manager Jordan Milewski share how denser bales and other hay and forage best practices equate to higher feed quality, efficiency gains and a greater ROI on your dairy operation.
Curt Hoffman has been with New Holland for over 25 years in a variety of roles, including area service manager and territory service manager. In his current position, he manages round, small and large rectangular baler marketing for North America. Specifically, he develops materials to help educate customers and dealers about the hay and forage product lines. He is a graduate of Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and biological systems engineering.
Herd Insights Brought to Life with Augmented Reality
Roxie Muller, innovation manager, Nedap Livestock Management
With a growing need to feed the world, herd sizes and the level of technology implemented are rapidly increasing, resulting in an overload of data. In this session, Roxie Muller shares Nedap’s vision on technology and shows how the use of futuristic technologies, like augmented reality, from Nedap CowControl and other systems can provide relevant insights. At Nedap, the company strives to provide technical solutions much easier for dairy farmers.
Muller is the innovation manager at Nedap and has a background in industrial design and engineering. Muller couples his strong passion for technology and drive to do what has never been done before to push product development boundaries that fit Nedap’s business philosophy.
Colostrum for So Many Other Reasons
Dr. Rick Dumm, DVM
This year, Matilda was introduced to the dairy market. Her sole function in life is to properly remove pathogens from colostrum and then play a central role in how to manage that colostrum from the cows to the calves. Most in the industry understand the importance of immunoglobulins for calf immunity. In this session, we will discuss some of the latest research findings that demonstrate several other key functions of colostrum that are not so well-known. More importantly, after learning the why, we will briefly discuss how managers of all size dairies can return home and implement the strategies learned. Colostrum alternatives will also be discussed and how to choose when to use them.
Dumm has been a practicing dairy veterinarian for 24 years in Colorado. Most recently, he has adapted his knowledge about calf rearing into practical tools and protocols that can easily be implemented for success on the farm. In keeping with the tradition of boots mixed with books, he manages his own cow-calf outfit and enjoys international travel discussing calf rearing. Weekends in the Rocky Mountains consist of honing horsemanship skills and keeping up with teenagers on the ski slopes.
Managing Dairy Crossbreds Health and How to Market Them
Dr. Grant Crawford, Merck Animal Health
Grant Crawford is currently a technical services manager with Merck Animal Health, providing technical support for beef producers, veterinarians and nutritionists in the Upper Midwest. Prior to joining Merck Animal Health in 2015, Crawford worked as a feed company technical nutritionist for three-and-a-half years and spent five years in beef cattle extension and research at the University of Minnesota.
Crawford received his bachelor’s degree in ag education from South Dakota State University, a master’s in animal science from University of Minnesota and his doctorate in animal science from University of Nebraska. Crawford is a native of Beaver Creek, Minnesota, and currently resides outside of Jasper, Minnesota, with his wife and daughter.
Estrotect Breeding Indicators – A New Reproduction Management Tool
Ky Pohler, Ph.D., associate professor, Texas A&M University
Estrotect breeding indicators are a self-adhesive sticker applied halfway between the hip and tailhead of a cow’s back. As mounting activity occurs, the indicator’s silver and black surface ink – featuring the breeding bullseye – is rubbed off by the friction of mounting and will reveal one of five indicator colors (red/orange, green, blue, yellow or fuchsia). Once the black breeding bullseye, or the equivalent surface area, is rubbed off, the animal is considered in standing heat and is ready to breed. But that’s not all. When the breeding bullseye is activated, cows are up to three times more likely to result in confirmed pregnancies. The breeding indicators can be used to detect heats, confirm pregnancies, pinpoint timing for breeding and determine cycling. And they work well in any breeding program, from A.I. to natural service to synchronization protocols.
Dr. Pohler’s research was instrumental in the development of the new Estrotect breeding indicator. The new breeding bullseye is based on Pohler’s patch scoring system that essentially tells when a cow is ready to breed by the amount of the surface rubbed off. Pohler will present his research on timing of breeding and results based on breeding according to patch scores.
Phixup – An Innovative and Natural Way to Maintain Optimum Ruminal Conditions
Rodrigo Araujo de Souza, Ph.D., business unit manager North America, Timab Magnesium USA
Phixup is a unique magnesium formula to maintain optimum ruminal conditions and naturally support performance, productivity and health in high-producing dairy cows. Derived from unique industrial expertise, Phixup acts directly on the ruminal pH by neutralizing excess acid produced by bacterial fermentation, providing both a fast-acting and long-lasting effect.
Dr. Rodrigo Souza is the business unit manager for North America at Timab USA, a company specializing in agricultural and industrial magnesium applications. Souza has been with Timab USA since 2018, and his practice concentrates on the synergies between animal nutrition and business development. Before joining Timab USA, Dr. Souza pursued his doctoral degree at Michigan State University, where he earned his Ph.D. in animal science with an emphasis in business management. As part of his doctorate, he was recognized for his outstanding performance as a Ph.D. candidate in the department of animal science. Souza was also a student at Universidade São Paulo, where he earned his master’s and bachelor’s degree in animal science. While pursuing his masters, Souza completed his MBA and worked as a farm manager in São Paulo, Brazil.
Starting Calves with Force – Lifetime Health and Production Begin on Day One
Dr. David P. Casper, technical services leader/dairy nutritionist, Furst-McNess Company
McNess Furst Force Calf is an advanced oral drench that kick-starts newborn calves while providing the gastrointestinal support calves need, especially those that may be at risk.
It delivers:
- Three specific strains of probiotic bacteria (B. pumilus, B. subtilis and B. licheniformis) with a concentrated yeast-based fermentation extract that contains many micronutrients to support gut health
- A specific blend of pathogen-specific antibodies to support health and immunity
- Specific organic acids to support digestion and product stability
- Purified beta glucans and MOS for additional immune-boosting gut health benefits
- Vegetable fat as an added energy source
- Key botanical extracts, essential oils and flavorings to support health and immunity
Key responses that have been observed include improved lean growth, decreased death loss, decreased scours, improved response to treatments, reduced digestive upsets and improved calf viability.
Dr. David P. Casper is technical services leader/dairy nutritionist with the Furst-McNess Company, Freeport, Illinois. He grew up on a dairy and livestock farm in Cuba City, Wisconsin. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville and his master’s and Ph.D. from South Dakota State University. Casper has published a number of scientific articles on dairy cattle nutrition, working with calves through lactating dairy cows.
Acoustic Pulse Technology – Increasing Milk Yield and Treating Mastitis Free of Antibiotics
Gabriel Leitner, Ph.D., chief science officer, Armenta
Mastitis cases are known to cost up to $300 to $400 per case, creating not only a heavy economic burden on dairy farms worldwide but also resulting in decreased milk yield, deterioration in milk quality and increased risk of culling. Treatment often involves the use of antibiotics at some point in the lactation, which carries the risk of developing antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Alternative mastitis therapies are needed and desired, which has led Armenta to develop an acoustic pulse therapy (APT) device. The APT delivers low-power, deep-penetrating acoustic pulses distributed over a large treatment area specifically designed for treating dairy cows. Worldwide research showcasing the effectiveness of the Armenta APT device and strategies to incorporate it into your on-farm management practices will be discussed.
Gabriel Leitner, chief scientific officer for Armenta LTD, has over 25 years of experience in the field of mastitis, with more than 150 published articles on the subject. He possesses a deep understanding of the topic and scientific know-how.
Microbial Inoculation Improves Silage Aerobic Stability after Short-Term Fermentation: Fact or Fiction?
Dr. Luiz Ferraretto, associate professor of livestock nutrition, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida
This presentation will discuss what producers can do to better utilize high-moisture corn. In addition, with a continually changing climate occurring, what options do producers have with sorghum and other forage crops?
Dr. Luiz Ferraretto is originally from Brazil, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science from São Paulo State University in 2008. Immediately after the completion of his degree, Ferraretto joined University of Wisconsin – Madison for an internship (2009) followed by a master’s (2011) and doctorate (2015) in dairy science, with focus on applied dairy nutrition and forage quality. After the completion of his Ph.D., he joined The William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute as a post-doctoral research associate. Currently, Ferraretto is an assistant professor of livestock nutrition in the department of animal sciences at University of Florida, and his research interests are applied dairy cattle nutrition and management with emphasis on starch and fiber utilization by dairy cows, corn silage and high-moisture corn quality and digestibility, the use of alternative byproducts as feed ingredients and supplementation of feed additives to lactating cows.
Component Production: Is Your Herd Efficiency Up to Par?
Dr. Mike Messman, U.S. dairy technology leader, Cargill Animal Nutrition
To thrive in today’s economy, dairy operations must maximize the value of their milk through efficient production of fat and protein components. Component efficiency is one of the best ways to monitor herd performance and profitability; however, this concept is still foreign to many dairy producers. Dr. Mike Messman, Cargill dairy technology leader, will educate dairy producers on the what, why and how of measuring and managing component efficiency. His presentation showcases valuable case study examples from elite herds pushing the boundaries on components, achieving 6 pounds or higher combined fat and protein. He will also share practical management and nutrition tips for improving component efficiency and fully leveraging the value of the component market. Dairy producers will be sure to find this presentation informative, interesting and immediately applicable to their operation.
Messman is responsible for the development and deployment of nutritional and herd management technologies for Cargill Animal Nutrition throughout the U.S. dairy industry. He also liaises with Cargill’s Global Innovation Team and has worked on dairies throughout the world. He is based at the Cargill Innovation Center in Elk River, Minnesota.
Simplified Farm Data Management with UNIFORM
Shawnna Finnerty, project and support manager, North America, UNIFORM-Agri
With the data pool today’s dairy farms are swimming in, managing farm data just got easier with the UNIFORM management program. With more than 100 links to national organizations and process computers worldwide, it is the industry leader in herd management links. Placing this program in the center of various on-farm processors creates a single point of data entry, decreasing data entry errors and saving dairy professionals valuable time. This also provides simplified data management, centralized analysis tools to monitor farm performance and data to figure ROI for farm technologies. With the system sending and receiving data with various systems, managing the farm’s performance and requirements is now possible with fewer people. During our presentation, we will demonstrate how data management is simplified and connected to five different data systems. These data systems include national organizations, a milking parlor, an activity system and a vet program.
Shawnna Finnerty, UNIFORM-Agri project and support manager for North America, holds an animal science degree from Michigan State University. She has been representing the company for over nine years and is part of the International Farm Comparison Committee and the Innovation Planning Team. Aside from professional responsibilities, she is a proud wife and mother of two, soon-to-be-three, boys.
360-degree Interactive Virtual Facility Tours
Jeff Prashaw, AIA Project Design Manager, DeLaval
Facility planning and design are a topic that every dairy operator will occasionally have to explore. There is no better way to see and learn the state-of-the-art than by touring other barns. We make that easy with our 360-degree Interactive Virtual Facility Tours. This is also the best way to memorialize your new milking facility. We are ready to work with you.
Jeff Prashaw is a licensed architect and project design manager that leads the North American facility planning and design team as part of DeLaval’s dairy advisory group. Prashaw has been with the company for eight years and has designed thousands of robotic milking facilities, conventional parlors, all types of housing for all cow ages, individual and group calf facilities, and overall farm master plans. Hailing from northern New York, as a young man he worked on his father’s construction company, focused on building freestall and calf facilities in addition to conventional parlors. He also worked on several dairies during that time. After leaving New York, Jeff earned his bachelor’s in architecture and master’s in business administration from Florida A&M University and Florida State University, respectively. Currently, he resides in Arvada, Colorado, and spends his free time backcountry snowmobiling and skiing in the winter and boating in the summer with his family. 
