
A pre-conference symposium will focus on how amino acid balancing will improve cow performance. Johan Osorio, South Dakota State University, will cover amino acid balancing in transition cows. Mark Hanigan, professor of dairy science with Virginia Tech, will talk about important amino acids beyond just lysine and methionine. Milo Wiltbank, professor of dairy science with the University of Wisconsin, will be discussing the present reality and future prospects of functional amino acids, especially in reproduction.

The second session will focus on maximizing profit from bull calves. Dan Schaefer, professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Wisconsin, will teach participants how to realize the full value of Holstein and Holstein cross steers. Bill Munns, JBS USA, will discuss the science behind purebred Holstein beef and Chip Kemp, American Simmental Association, will cover how to use data to select profit focused beef bulls for a crossbreeding in Holstein herds.
Select breakout topics include:
- Barn design for automatic milking systems.
- Maximizing milk fat yield.
- Nutritional regulation of gut health and development, weaning and beyond.
- How to apply body condition score during transition to improve reproductive efficiency.
- Using MUN to manage protein feeding.
- Does feeding rumen protected amino acids during stress help?
- Clean feed: optimizing health and nutrition.
- Lessons learned from the 2019 growing season.
- Optimizing fertility using sexed semen.
For details and to register, visit fourstatedairy.org or contact Jim Salfer at salfe001@umn.edu, or 320-203-6093. The conference registration fee is $75.
This conference is a collaborative effort of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, University of Illinois Extension, University of Minnesota Extension and University of Wisconsin-Extension.