For members of the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) and the American Association of State Veterinary Boards – RACE Program, one continuing education credit is awarded for attendance for each session.
Here’s a look at the schedule of the 2019 WDE seminars accompanied by their respective descriptions:
TUESDAY, OCT. 1
1 p.m.
Domestic and Global Beverage Trends: How U.S. Dairy Innovation Can Seize the Opportunity
Paul Ziemnisky, executive vice president of global innovation partnerships, Dairy Management Inc.
Kristina Alexander, manager, knowledge and insights of global innovation partnerships, Dairy Management Inc.
Sponsored by: Dairy Management Inc.
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
Today’s beverage and food environment is rapidly evolving as consumers look for foods and beverages that reflect their needs, values and desires. They make buying decisions based on wants for innovation, health and wellness, sustainability and taste preferences. For U.S. dairy to remain relevant and thrive in this market, both in the short and long term, dairy product innovation must meet changing consumer product preferences.
Kristina Alexander and Paul Ziemnisky of Dairy Management Inc.’s Global Innovation Partnership team will explore the latest in domestic and global beverage trends driven by consumer needs to inspire new dairy beverage innovation for retailers and food-service partners. Learn more about these trends and how the dairy checkoff is helping drive innovation by attending this seminar. This discussion presents a unique opportunity to have your consumer and market questions answered by the experts.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 2
11 a.m.
What Drives Financial Success on a Dairy
Steve Bodart, senior dairy lending specialist, Compeer Financial
Sponsored by: McLanahan Corporation
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
Dairy farmers strive to find financial success through milk production and can determine their results by evaluating the net income per cow on their farm. Starting with 2006 financial results, Compeer Financial and Zoetis began a research study to determine what distinguished the most successful dairies from their peers based on net income per cow. After reviewing data collected for a decade from farms averaging 1,071 milking cows, the researchers determined six key factors that separate the top-performance herds from their peers.
Learn what sets these dairies apart with Steve Bodart, who focuses his work on commercial dairy operations that have grown and expanded their business. In his role, Bodart assists farmers with business and financial planning, performance monitoring, and integrating production and financial management together. He also brings two decades of knowledge as the former CFO of a commercial dairy in Wisconsin and a deep understanding of family dairy businesses to this discussion.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 2
1 p.m.
The Makeup of Your Milk Check
Calvin Covington, chief executive officer (retired), Southeast Milk Inc.
Sponsored by: Page & Padersen International Ltd.
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
Many factors, including dairy commodity prices, component levels, milk utilization, location, milk supply and demand, factor into the price a dairy farmer receives for milk production. Calvin Covington, well-known for his national and international expertise in milk pricing, will help farmers better understand their milk check by discussing the primary factors that are considered in the pricing system. Covington is a former chief executive officer of Southeast Milk Inc. and played an instrumental role in the national acceptance of multiple component pricing during his time with the American Jersey Cattle Association.
A trusted adviser on milk pricing, Covington has testified at congressional hearings, authored milk marketing articles for various publications and has prepared and presented proposals at Federal Order hearings. In retirement, Covington continues to provide consulting services to dairy companies, farmers and cooperatives and is a regular contributor to Progressive Dairy.
THURSDAY, OCT. 3
11 a.m.
Proactive Management Practices to Reduce Antibiotic Usage on Your Dairy
Dr. Michael Capel, partner, Perry Veterinary Clinic
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
The implementation of the veterinary feed directive (VFD) has led dairy farmers and researchers to discover new ways to reduce antimicrobial use on farms. New research findings that will be discussed during this seminar identify potential ways to significantly reduce the use of antimicrobials on dairy farms without negatively impacting individual animals or herd health.
These findings complement well-documented measures already known for reducing antimicrobial use, such as the importance of disease prevention, proper employee training, development of on-farm treatment guidelines and judicious use of therapeutic interventions. Dr. Michael Capel, DVM, is a dairy cattle veterinarian in western New York who plays an active role in a variety of research, including for the pharmaceutical industry, academic and on-farm projects pertaining to transition cow health, judicious antimicrobial use and effective treatment regimens.
THURSDAY, OCT. 3
1 p.m.
Climate Change – Reducing the Dairy Industry’s Carbon Footprint and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Dr. Frank Mitloehner, professor, University of California – Davis
Sponsored by: SOP S.r.l.
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
Climate change continues to be a topic of great importance in today’s society and, due to political leaders discussing the impact that agriculture and dairy in particular play in the current situation, the spotlight is on the dairy industry. Dr. Frank Mitloehner is a professor in the department of animal science at the University of California – Davis and is an air quality specialist in cooperative extension.
Widely recognized as an expert in agricultural air quality, livestock housing and husbandry, Mitloehner will discuss the overarching issues around a changing climate as well as the role the dairy sector plays, both in the U.S. and globally. Mitloehner received his master’s degree in animal science and agricultural engineering from the University of Leipzig in Germany and his Ph.D. in animal science from Texas Technical University.
FRIDAY, OCT. 4
11 a.m.
Why Heifer Maturity Matters
Dr. Gavin Staley, technical services specialist, Diamond V
Sponsored by: Diamond V
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
For the past decade, a trend of breeding heifers at a younger age has developed in the dairy industry. While there are economic benefits to doing so, the evaluation of dairy herds across the country reveals that if heifers do not achieve desired maturity goals, there is a significant lasting impact on subsequent milk production. As the average cow in the U.S. stays in the milking herd for 2.2 lactations, it is of the utmost importance that the genetic potential of these animals is maximized during the first two lactations.
However, the evaluation that Dr. Gavin Staley will discuss reveals heifer immaturity is a major barrier in herd milk production in the U.S. Staley is a 1984 graduate of the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He is a board-certified theriogenologist and has worked in academia, private practice and industry over the past 35 years.
FRIDAY, OCT. 4
1 p.m.
Are You Buying Your Milk Production?
Dr. Bill Weiss, professor, Department of Animal Science, Ohio Agricultural and Research Center, Ohio State University
Sponsored by: Quality Liquid Feeds Inc.
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
As the largest single cost on a dairy farm, feed and its impact on milk production are front-of-mind for dairy producers. While feed costs, in dollars per pound of feed, and milk production are positively correlated, the relationship is not strong. This means feed costs vary substantially among farms that have similar production levels. Dr. Bill Weiss, a professor in dairy nutrition, will discuss different means of keeping feed costs in check without adversely affecting milk production while uncovering opportunities when spending a little more on feed can result in large returns.
Weiss has 30 years of experience conducting research in diet formulation methods, vitamin and mineral nutrition, and feed evaluation. During his career, he has also authored more than 500 scientific and popular press articles in many areas of dairy cow nutrition and management.
SATURDAY, OCT. 5
11 a.m.
Dairy Farm Financial Decision-Making in Turbulent Times
Dr. Chris Wolf, professor, Agricultural Economics and Management, Cornell University
Sponsored by: Feed Supervisor Software
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
The compounded financial stress of the past few years is wearing on dairy farmers, and every day decisions are made that will either save their business or not. As a professor of agricultural economics at the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University, Dr. Chris Wolf conducts research and extension training focused on farm business management, dairy markets and policy, farm animal welfare and animal health management.
With his research experience and expert knowledge of agricultural economics, Wolf will examine the financial decision-making benchmarks for dairy farms from whole-farm to long-term investments to management changes. A widely published academic and industry author, he will focus his discussion on decisions that address efficiency, risk management and farm financial resiliency, particularly in cash-constrained environments. 
