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Form-A-Feed Professional Dairy Conference 2019
January 17, 2019 - January 18, 2019
Join Form-A-Feed on January 17th and 18th for our 18th Annual Professi
onal Dairy Conference “Rising to the Challenge” at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Welch, MN!
View the speaker line-up and agenda below!
Register below by January 10th, 2019!
2019 Dairy Conference Agenda
Morning Spotlight Session: 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch
Believe in the Future of Farming – Qual Dairy
While the number of dairy farms nationwide is falling, those that remain are finding creative ways to stay efficient and positive when the industry is changing all around them. Jon and Mark Qual from Qual Dairy of Lisbon, North Dakota will share their family’s story of expanding their farm with North America’s fourth robotic rotary parlor.
Dairy Conference Day 1: Thursday, January 17 at 12:30 p.m.
Nutritional Management to Optimize Milk Components – Dr. Trevor DeVries, University of Guelph
Optimizing milk components requires proper diet formulation, but also good management of the diet. The way dairy cows eat, and what they select from their diet, may have a significant impact on their milk component yields. Dr. Trevor DeVries will discuss how this eating behavior is not only influenced by the composition of the diet, but also how the diet is managed in the feed bunk, and the barn environment it is presented within.
Behind the Scenes of Sub-Clinical Ketosis: A Good and Bad Side to Everything – Dr. Heather White, University of Wisconsin-Madison
The transition to lactation is full of potential challenge; however, some cows transition smoothly while others struggle. Why does sub-clinical ketosis (SCK), or hyperketonemia develop? Is it always a bad thing? Understanding how SCK develops, and examining risk factors can give valuable insight into understanding the metabolic challenges during the transition to lactation period and how some nutritional and management strategies can help.
Latest Advances in Low Lignin Alfalfa – Dr. Ken Kalscheur, USDA
Learn about the recent advancements in low-lignin, higher-digestibility dairy forage varieties and how these forages may fit into cropping practices to improve dairy production efficiency in Dr. Ken Kalscheur’s presentation.
Keys to Success In An Ever-Changing Industry – Mark Greenwood, Compeer Financial
Mark Greenwood will discuss key management and financial strategies for producers of any size to be successful. Mark Greenwood is the Chief Diversified Market Officer at Compeer Financial. He is responsible for overseeing the industry experts, capital markets, consumer lending and AgriAccess trade credit and consulting teams at Compeer.
Thursday Evening Keynote Speaker: Jerrid Sebesta
Livin’ The Dream
Jerrid Sebesta is a former weatherman for KARE11 who left his high-profile career for a different direction. During Jerrid’s process of finding his true purpose and calling, he kept coming back to “why am I making the career and life decisions I am”, and “how can I make my dream a reality?”
Jerrid believes we need to be “positioned” with our mindset on life as well as our finances. In his presentation, Jerrid asks three questions. These questions are designed to challenge you to take an introspective look at your “why” and “how” in order for them to live with purpose.
Jerrid’s story will engage you to live with greater purpose and start “Livin’ the Dream!”
Dairy Conference Day 2: Friday, January 18th at 8:00 a.m.
Managing Heifer Nutrition from Weaning to Breeding – Dr. Trevor DeVries, University of Guelph
Nutritional management of the post-weaned heifer is important, not only from a health and growth perspective, but also economically. Nutritional programs must be designed to not only promote good growth, health and efficiency, but also limit waste. At the same time, these programs need to ensure that heifers remain healthy, as well as do not promote development of poor eating habits which may carry over into adulthood.
Integrating Sub-Clinical Ketosis Detection Tools: New Tools to Guide Interventions – Dr. Heather White, University of Wisconsin-Madison
So you want to step-up your (Sub-clinical Ketosis) SCK detection protocol to improve treatment. What tools are available and how can you integrate them to best fit your farm, available labor, and situation? How can you incorporate herd-level testing into your individual cow testing protocol? Hear updates from Dr. Heather White on available diagnostic tools and how to tailor testing protocols to fit your farm.
Breakout Sessions – Choose 2
Box Robot Milking Best Management Practices
What are the best management practices currently being implemented on robotic dairy farms? This breakout session will outline those practices. Whether you are a current robotic milking system user or you have an interest in installing a robotic milking system, you will want to attend this session.
Tips for Top Calf Performance
In this practical calf session, we will share easy-to-implement tips to enhance calf performance on your dairy. From calf tools, to benchmarking, sanitation, and much more, attend this session to bring home some ideas that you can implement immediately in your calf barn!
Controlling Molds, Mycotoxins, & Wild Yeast in Corn Silage During the Storage Process
If aerobic organisms such as molds, mycotoxins, and wild yeast are not controlled, they will affect feed intake, production, & animal health. In this session, the causes as well as solutions for controlling these organisms will be addressed.
Recruiting, Developing and Retaining Highly Qualified Dairy Employees
Recruiting, hiring and retaining qualified dairy employees continues to be a challenge for dairy farms. Join us for a panel discussion with herdsmen and managers that will share what hurdles they had to overcome to hold their current position. Learn about what they look for in prospect employees and what they do to train and empower them to maximize production, high quality milk and a reliable workforce.
2019 Form-A-Feed Dairy Conference Sponsors
Register Below for the 2019 Dairy Conference by December 20th for Early Bird Pricing!
Registration for the 2019 Professional Dairy Conference includes one room for up to two people for the full conference. The cost is $120. Please register by January 10, 2019!