Western United Dairymen (WUD) members from across the state will gather in picturesque Yosemite for the organization's annual convention held at Tenaya Lodge, March 18-20. While taking part in the largest dairy-focused trade show and convention in California, attendees will also have the unique opportunity to visit the spectacular alpine grandeur of Yosemite National Park. For details, hotel links and event information visit www.WUDconvention.com. Completed registrations are due Feb. 20. Below is a glimpse at what the convention will have to offer.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
9:00 - 10:20 a.m. "Labor Update for Dairy Producers" - Attorney, Raimondo & Associates
10:25 - 11:10 a.m. "Crossbreeding to Beef: The Trends, the Strategies and Markets" - Colten Green, National Accounts Manager, Genex Cooperative, Inc.
10:25 - 11:10 a.m. "How to Prevent an On-Farm Animal Mistreatment Video" - California Milk Advisory Board, Representative
11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. "The Keys to Success in Alfalfa Production" - PANEL
11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. "The Dairy Margin Protection Program in California" - Chip Whalen, Vice President, Education & Research, CIH
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch Social and Trade Show Kickoff
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. "Healthcare Reform and Dairies" - Rick Adams, Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green Insurance Agency
2:30 - 3:00 p.m. Milk and Ice Cream Break
3:00 - 3:45 p.m. "Sunshine Power: New Legislation Attracting More Dairies to Solar" - PANEL
3:00 - 3:45 p.m. "Where Good Comes From - The Story of the Consumer Confidence System Built to Tell Dairy's Story and How You Can Help Balance Consumer Conversations and Build Consumer Confidence" - Stan Erwine, Vice President - Farmer Relations and Activation; Dairy Management Inc.
3:45 - 4:45 p.m. "Tax Exemptions for the Ag Industry" (workshop for trade show vendors and dairy producers) David Rivera, Business Taxes Specialist II, and Dan Ferguson, Business Taxes Specialist I, California State Board of Equalization
4:45 p.m. Trade Show Closes
4:45 - 5:30 p.m. Wine Tasting
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. "Pair and Share: An Evening with California Cheese and Wine" - Mark Todd, The Cheese Dude - This expertly guided tasting will explore a range of cheeses - from soft and fresh to aged and crumbly and beyond - paired with specific beverages ranging from sparkling, white, and red wines, to craft beers and even dry ciders.
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Membership Dinner
Thursday, March 19, 2015
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Registration
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Trade Show Open
8:30 - 9:15 a.m. Annual Meeting
9:15 - 9:45 a.m. Coffee Break
10:00 a.m. Ladies Day Program - Meet in Hotel Lobby
Begin your day with a hands-on demonstration in spring floral arranging. Learn the tricks of the trade of professional floral designers, so you can create beautiful, affordable arrangements of your own. Enjoy 4-star dining when you join the other convention attendees for lunch at Tenaya Lodge. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the hotel's Ascent Spa, where you will be given a gift certificate to use toward the services of your choice. There is a limited number of spaces available for this event, so please register early AND only if you will be able to attend. For WUD members only.
PRESENTATIONS
9:45 - 10:15 a.m. "Financing Dairy Farming in Africa" - John Magnay, Head of Agriculture, Opportunity International (Uganda)
10:15 - 10:45 a.m. "Evolving Consumer Perception Good for Long Term Growth" - John D. Talbot, CEO, California Milk Advisory Board
10:45 - 11:30 a.m. "Checkoff-led Fluid Milk Innovation Plans, Partnerships and Investment" - Alan Reed, Senior Vice President, U.S. Manufacturing & Ingredient Marketing, Dairy Management, Inc.
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Trade Show Break
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Luncheon - Keynote Speaker: Jim Brulte, Chairman, California Republican Party - invited
1:30 - 2:00 p.m. Milk & Ice Cream Break
2:00 - 2:30 p.m. "Global Dairy Outlook"
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. "Federal Milk Marketing Order for California" - PANEL
3:45 - 4:45 p.m. "Water Challenges 2015 and Beyond" - Dan Dooley, Of Counsel Bolen Fransen & Sawyers
4:30 p.m. Trade Show Closes
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Cocktail Social
7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Annual Banquet - Entertainment: Dueling Pianos
Friday, March 20, 2015
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 - 9:10 a.m. "Report from Sacramento" - Gary Conover, Government Relations, Western United Dairymen
9:10 - 9:50 a.m. "Report from Washington DC" - Charlie Garrison, The Garrison Group
10:00 - 11:30 a.m. District Delegate Business Meetings
11:30 a.m. Convention Adjourns
*All times, speakers, and topics are subject to change.
Visit www.WUDconvention.com for hotel and event registration.
WUD is a voluntary membership organization representing more than 60% of the milk produced in California. Membership benefits include resources in labor law, environmental regulations and pricing issues. Members decide the direction of state and federal legislative efforts affecting the dairy industry. 2.3.2015