The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.
To start bringing tomorrow to life, dairy producers and industry professionals are invited to the two-day Pennsylvania Dairy Summit on February 5-6 in State College, PA. With the theme “Designing Your Tomorrow Today,” the Dairy Summit is nationally recognized as one of the best conferences for networking, education, and inspiration. Join more than 300 dairy professionals who want to design their vision for the future through dynamic keynote sessions, have meaningful conversations with colleagues and friends, and attend timely breakout sessions to gain new ideas and proven strategies they can immediately apply at the farm level. Thanks to grants and support from the Center for Dairy Excellence, Professional Dairy Managers of PA, and Summit sponsors, registration fees for dairy producers are set to be as affordable as possible.
David Moser of Oakridge Dairy in Connecticut will lead a producer showcase keynote session, “Farming for the Future in a World Where People Know Their Farmers.” Moser plans to dive into his team’s mindset of staying ahead of the curve, focusing on the small but mighty details, and building a future where people know their farmers.
“At Oakridge Dairy, we believe that anything is possible. We are willing to try anything to make even the smallest detail better for our team and our animals. It starts with an idea. Someone has to take a step. Only one step is needed to start the next greatest thing. My encouragement is to be that person. Take that one step today. You never know where it may lead,” Moser shared.
Oakridge Dairy is a 2,900-cow dairy farm in Connecticut, the largest single site dairy farm in the Northeast. Their focus on a people-first culture, a rotary milking parlor, environmental responsibility, and the idea of supplying milk direct to consumer are the notions driving change at their dairy operation.
Hosted by the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania and Center for Dairy Excellence, the 2025 Dairy Summit will also feature four breakout session tracks designed for dairy producers in all types of production and industry professionals in a wide range of career paths:
Herd and Health Track: The Truth Behind Why Vaccines Fail with Dr. Christopher Chase. What can lead to vaccine failure in your herd? When you understand the initial events of viral infections, and the interaction between viruses and the body, you can develop methods for preventing viral infections in your animals. In this session, discover the truth behind why vaccines fail and how you can boost your herd’s health.
Feed, Forages and Energy Track: Feeding for Fat: Do High-Oleic Soybeans Fit? Panel with Dr. Harvatine and Dairy Producers. High-oleic soybeans have been around for more than 10 years, but are they are making their way into more and more dairy rations – especially with the current drive toward higher components. Several dairy producers will share how they are feeding high-oleic soybeans, how they are sourcing them, and what results they are getting.
People and Potential Track: Are You Operating Within the Laws? with Wayne Vanderhoof, Ricky Palladino and Brook Duer. What do you get when you put two lawyers and a safety compliance guy in a room? You get a panel discussion packed with insights to help you avoid costly legal fines that you may not even know about. Many farms assume they’re exempt from employment laws we hear about every day in other industries, but that’s not always the case. This session will help you get the information you need regarding OSHA, Child, and Immigrant Labor Laws about which you don’t want to be caught unaware.
Outcomes and Opportunities Track: Understanding Carbon Markets for Dairy with Scott Welsh, Bryan Stolzenburg and Scott Subler. Understanding carbon markets for dairy is even more complex than one would think, and the real value to dairy owners is even more elusive. In this panel discussion, we will probe the global, ag and PA dairy-specific markets for greenhouse gas emissions and have an honest conversation about where our state’s producers might find an entrance.
Visit www.padairysummit.org to view the full program and register today. Producer discounts will automatically be applied during the registration process. Discounted rates on hotel rooms are available until January 10, 2025. Contact the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit Business Office with questions or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. Call 814-355-2467 or email info@padairysummit.org.
PDMP is a not-for-profit, farmer-driven organization advancing the State’s dairy industry through improved productivity and economic viability with continued stewardship of our animals, environment, and community. Programs offered by PDMP are designed by dairy producers, for dairy producers. For more information on PDMP, visit their website at pdmp.org.
The Center for Dairy Excellence is a non-profit organization initiated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in 2004. Bringing together people from more than 40 different dairy organizations in Pennsylvania, the Center’s mission is to enhance the profitability of the dairy industry by empowering people, creating partnerships, and increasing the availability and use of resources. Learn more at centerfordairyexcellence.org.
