Energy use, herd health and cover crops are among the topics at this year’s I-29 Dairy Conference.
The annual I-29 Dairy Conference will be held at the Best Western Ramkota Inn and Conference Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Jan. 15-16.
The conference is a multistate collaborative educational program developed by the dairy specialists from the North Dakota State University Extension Service, South Dakota State University Extension Service, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, University of Minnesota Extension, Midwest Dairy Association and Southwest Minnesota Dairy Profit Group.
“Dairy farm families from the Midwest have many challenges but similar goals,” says J.W. Schroeder, NDSU Extension dairy specialist. “They strive to produce the highest-quality dairy products using the needed resources in the most efficient method affordable. That is why, each year, we attempt to prepare a regional program of interest to our dairy audience, which includes not only owners and managers but their service providers.”
The conference will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 15, with registration at 4:45 p.m. and exhibits opening at 5, followed by a social and dinner. Livestock advocate and blogger Amanda Radke will give the keynote address, “When City and Country Collide,” at 7 p.m.
Activities on Thursday, Jan. 16, include morning workshops on understanding the energy audit program and its impact on dairies, the Affordable Care Act, the latest in herd health recommendations and a producer perspective on cover crop use on dairies.
During the afternoon, participants will be able to attend breakout sessions on topics including succession planning, evaluating energy use changes in the barn and using cover crops on the dairy operation.
The cost to attend the conference is $45 per person. That includes the Wednesday night meal and keynote address and all programs, breaks and lunch on Thursday. The fee is waived if you are a member of your state dairy producer organization.
Source:ag.ndsu.edu