Dairy producers and industry came together in Denver, Colorado, June 6-8 for the Global Dairy Experience.

Peggy Coffeen

Coffeen was a former editor and podcast host with Progressive Dairy. 

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This event brought together thought leaders on the utilization of dairy data for 18-minute talks, followed by a panel-style question-and-answer segment. Four presenters took to the stage to discuss utilizing data to make informed decisions and increase dairy farm efficiency. The lineup included Greg Bethard, High Plains Dairy LLC; Greg Goodell, DVM, The Dairy Authority; Pauly Paul, Complete Management Consulting LLC; and Kevin Hoogendoorn, DVM, Zisk App.

Following that, four others dove into the data around beef-on-dairy genetics. Mitch Hockett from STgenetics and Dan Dorn from ABS shared an industry perspective, while cattleman Lee Leachman from Leachman Cattle and dairyman Adam Zeltwanger from Riverview LLP shared data from their respective operations.

The main stage presentations rounded out with a producer panel, hosted by Progressive Dairy and facilitated by Peggy Coffeen. Three dairy producers shared snapshots of their large-scale automated milking facilities. Aric DeJager of Kersey, Colorado, operates a 1,900-cow cross-ventilated robot barn, while Jessica Pralle-Trimner provided an overview of the 1,800-cow robot barn at Miltrim Farms in Athens, Wisconsin. From Chowchilla, California, dairyman Travis Hooker also joined the panel, detailing his experiences managing an 800-cow robot barn at Diamond H-Westview Dairy.

Leachman Cattle of Fort Collins, Colorado, hosted a cookout and welcomed guests to view their bull collection site. Photo by Diego Cordova, Industries Marketing.

The second day of main events at the Global Dairy Experience included tours that showcased technology in action, behind-the-scenes of beef-on-dairy and the hospitality of a local dairy company. Attendees had privy to Longs Peak Dairy in Pierce, Colorado, which is currently under construction and in the process of building multiple automated milking barns. That was followed by a Colorado-style cookout at Leachman Cattle and viewing of the bulls being collected and marketed for dairy breeding. The day concluded at Dairy Tech Inc. in Greeley, with a competitive game of cornhole for a belt buckle grand prize.

Dairy Tech Inc. in Greeley, Colorado, opened its doors and lended its parking lot for a competitive game of cornhole. Ground level photo by Peggy Coffeen. Drone shot by Diego Cordova, Industries Marketing.

The combined atmosphere for networking and knowledge sharing provided the environment for productive conversations and business relations.

Progressive Dairy is a founding partner in the Global Dairy Experience, hosted and coordinated by Cowsultants. The group’s annual event will take place Dec. 6-8 at The Linq Hotel in Las Vegas.