Producers attending the 2015 Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference will hear from industry experts about the global future of the dairy industry as well as ways to increase efficiencies and opportunities for increasing profitability by doing more with less.
The conference will take place Feb. 5?7 at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth, Michigan.
Leading experts will make presentations Thursday on topics ranging from a global dairy outlook to nutritional and reproduction efficiencies and the economics of dairying.
Don Bennink, a Florida dairyman, will kick off the conference by sharing his experiences and covering several tough management questions every dairy producer faces: What type of cow produces the most money for every dollar of input? How will water and feed supply affect dairy management decisions? How can you successfully manage volatile milk prices? Will future milk prices be driven by fluid or component markets? How will societal shifts change production practices in the future?
Producers will go on a global adventure as they explore the outlook of the dairy industry. Tim Hunt, the global strategist and team leader of the Rabobank Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory Dairy Team, will look at the developments in food and agricultural markets and industries, and discuss the strategic implications for dairy businesses. He'll advise on what these changes mean to the bottom line.
Producers will learn more about nutrition and management of dairy heifers from Mike VanAmburgh of Cornell University. He'll describe a more systematic and individualized approach to meeting the targets for both body growth and energy utilization. Producers will learn how to enhance their ability to successfully develop heifers with optimum milk-producing ability, improving not only the bottom line, but also contributing to a more sustainable farm.
Increasing feed and reproduction efficiencies in the milking herd can have a profound impact on farm margins. Greg Bethard, the chief financial officer for Pagel's Ponderosa Dairy and Dairy Dreams, will explore the following questions: What combination of fluid milk, butterfat, protein, feed rations and genetics make the most sense for your farm? Learn what money-corrected milk really means and what changes are possible on your farm if you choose to focus on the margins and not the ratios. Bethard will help producers learn to understand and study their dairies to find the most financially beneficial combinations for the farms and the environment.
During dinner, producers will also enjoy a lighthearted discussion regarding how to excel in the ever-changing dairy industry. Mike Hutjens, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois, will share examples of how producers can stay ahead of the curve and the factors that are most critical in evaluating farm decisions.
Producers will also have the option of attending a preconference session, led by Michigan State University Extension educators, to learn tips for reducing employee turnover, increasing engagement and building teamwork. Techniques for providing employee development, improving employee management and building more effective teams will be discussed.
Rounding out the Thursday schedule is the Exhibitor Showcase, the presentation of the Excellence in Dairy Award and Dairy Challenge awards and the Great Lakes Commercial Heifer Extravaganza X Sale.
Individual (adult), student and farm registration options are available. Participants who register before Jan. 16 will save up to $25 per day. Online registration ends on Feb. 1.
Visit www.glrdc.msu.edu to see the complete conference schedule or to register online. Participants can also register by phone by calling 517-884-7089.
1.6.2015