In the mid-to-late 2000s, dwindling university dairy herds and dairy programs in the Southwest led Dr. Mike Tomaszewski from Texas A&M and Dr. Robert Hagevoort from New Mexico State University (NMSU), along with Dr. Bob Collier, previously with the University of Arizona, to develop a program that provides university students with a hands-on dairy education to prepare them for careers in the dairy industry.

Over the past two to three years, the heart of cattle country experienced extreme drought conditions. Many producers have faced difficult decisions concerning their cow herd health and maintenance on top of the financial pressure of managing through a difficult weather event.

The usual suspects (expected progeny differences [EPDs], genomic testing, heterosis) were covered, as were some issues (beef-on-dairy, methane emissions, cardiac health) that may have been a bit more of a surprise to the uninitiated at an event ostensibly dedicated to beef cattle genetics.

Held in the nation’s capitol on May 3-5, the 2023 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit attracted 320 attendees from five countries to learn, network and discuss key topics facing the industry. 

“When we talk about raising a dairy replacement heifer, it’s going to ultimately make a milk cow,” said John Robison, a consultant at JDR Livestock Consulting Management Services, during a session of the 2023 Dairy Calf and Heifer Association annual meeting.

Around 100 women participated in the event this year, which focused on celebrating women in the dairy industry and providing an opportunity for them to share their stories and connect with their industry colleagues.

There was something for everyone at Central Plains Dairy Expo March 28-30 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. More than 4,000 dairy producers and industry allies attended the event, representing 32 states and four countries, including Canada, France and Ireland.

The 2023 Professional Dairy Producers (PDPW) Business Conference was held March 15-16, in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The annual conference brought together nearly 1,400 dairy producers and industry professionals for professional development and networking.