"Achieving Dairy Excellence in Challenging Times" is the theme of the Maryland Dairy Convention set for Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center at the FSK Mall in Frederick. All dairy farmers, supporters and industry people from all over are invited to attend an exciting day program hosted by the Maryland Dairy Industry Association and evening event hosted by the Maryland Dairy Shrine.
The event begins with registration and trade show at 8:30 a.m. and program at 9:20 a.m. The meeting features Gordie Jones, DVM, of Central Sands Dairy, LLC, Nekoosa, Wis., who will keynote the event and give an afternoon presentation on dry cow diets. Two breakout sessions feature multiple topics presented for a more in-depth look at today's dairy operation, including forage quality, feed evaluation, activity monitoring and group feeding of calves.
For dairy youth ages 8 to 21, a free concurrent junior dairyman contest is planned, which could include but is not limited to, feedstuff identification, milking equipment identification, reproductive tract identification/ dissection, sire selection and DHIA sheet evaluation. The program will equip youth with practical knowledge. Following the contest, components will be reviewed for additional learning experience. Juniors are invited to the evening banquet for the awards presentations. All youth who participate receive a cash award.
During the day program, MDIA will award Dairies of Distinction and scholarships. An afternoon tour to Rock Hill Orchard/Woodbourne Creamery will be featured. The farm utilizes pastured Guernseys and a robotic milker. The Maryland Dairy Shrine will host the evening banquet, starting at 6:30 p.m. with social time and silent auction. Shining stars of the industry will be inducted into the shrine, while outstanding students will be awarded scholarships.
Room rates at the Holiday Inn are $99 per night, mention Maryland Dairy Industry Association. Attendees should contact the hotel by January 27 at 301-694-7500 and ask for in-house reservations.
For more information on the convention, call 301-349-0750, e-mail secretary@marylanddairyindustry.org
12.18.2015