Producer Panel Discussion: Keys to Building and Retaining Your Team of Successful Employees

Finding, acquiring, and retaining reliable skilled labor is one of the most difficult and expensive challenges facing dairy farms today. This has proven to be such a daunting task that farmers have turned to robots for many jobs, instead of people. Form-A-Feed Technical Service Manager and internationally renowned expert in farm management and people development, Mario Solis, will guide a discussion of farm owners and managers. They will address the keys they have found to help them be successful in developing profitable teams of employees that last.

Shaping the Future of Dairy with Artificial Intelligence

Dr. Jeffrey Bewley – Holstein Association USA

Artificial Intelligence is making its way into our lives in many forms.  The dairy industry provides many opportunities for this exciting advancement.  What innovations will we see using artificial intelligence in the future?  What can we learn from other industries and applications?  How can you prepare for this data driven future?  These are questions we will attempt to answer in this presentation.

Dairy Market Top Five for 2025

Katie Burgess – Ever.Ag

The dairy industry is poised for change in 2025 – updates to the Federal Milk Marketing Orders, new processing plants ramping up, and dairy heifers remain in short supply. Come hear about what to watch for in the year ahead and learn about how you can make the most of dairy markets to ensure a profitable 2025.

Practical Insights for Managing Transition Cow Inflammation

Dr. Faith Reyes – Form-A-Feed

This presentation will provide practical strategies for managing and reducing inflammation in transition cows, focusing on effective management practices that improve herd health and productivity.

Unlock Genetic Potential Through Hoof Health Management

Karl Burgi – Save Cows Network

This session will discuss what to look for in a quality hoof trim as well as the expectations of lame cow recovery.  Other topics covered will be utilizing data to understand lameness outbreaks and managing trimming schedules, optimizing hoof lesion prevention, and retaining high yielding cows in the herd for longer.

The Practical Anatomy of Udder Health

Mario Solis Flores  – Form-A-Feed

In this session, you will have the opportunity to visualize through an udder how some of the most common mechanisms are triggered inside the udder such as milk letdown and the mastitis process. We will also discuss some of the simple actions to take to improve udder health.

Fresh Cow Care 2.0: Engaging Strategies for Effective Treatment and Management

Dr. Sara Davis, DVM – University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Davis will lead an interactive session on fresh cow management and the treatment of common disorders, with an emphasis on updated Ketosis screening and treatment strategies. Audience engagement will be encouraged, providing practical insights from peers.

Late Gestation Heat Stress: Effects on Dam and Daughter

Dr. Geoff Dahl, Ph.D. – Feed the Future Livestock Systems Innovation Lab

Heat stress of dry cows reduces productivity and health in that cow for the next lactation, but can be overcome with appropriate management.  The calf developing in utero of the heat stressed dam is also negatively affected, and that insult programs a reduced health and productivity phenotype for the life of that animal.

The Politics of Alfalfa Silage: Alfalfa, Grass, or Byproduct?

Tim Doherty – Form-A-Feed

Discussing the value and wisdom of making alfalfa silage in the Midwestern Unites States can quickly be polarizing and stir much debate. In this session, we will try to take an objective look at the true cost of producing fermented alfalfa silage, examine the effect that alternatives to alfalfa silage have on dairy rations and cost, and we will look at what to do if you have a high volume of low quality alfalfa silage after the 2024 growing season. While we likely won’t settle the debate, we will hopefully help you make more informed decisions going into your 2025 crop season.

Calf-Raising Blind Spots: Confessions from a Veterinarian

Dr. Jeremy Schefers, DVM, PhD – Merck Animal Health

Despite many years examining calves in the diagnostic laboratory, on-farm calf challenges were missed.  On-farm necropsies and evaluations revealed blind spots that will be discussed.

Understanding the H5 Influenza Virus

Dr. Jeremy Schefers, DVM, PhD – Merck Animal Health

To better understand H5 influenza in cattle, we need to review it’s history.  This presentation will attempt to broaden our understanding of H5 in dairy cows.