The dairy industry continues its continual quest for taking better care of the animals that take care of them. Dr. Janice Swanson from Michigan State University will highlight recent developments in dairy cattle welfare research, during the 2010 Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW) Business Conference, March 16-17, in Madison. This session will challenge even the most intuitive herdsmen and managers as they take from the session new information on cattle behavior, housing and handling that will help us work closer on the cow’s needs.
The business conference, themed “Imagine Dairy – Real Results,” is geared to help dairy producers and industry professionals position their businesses for the coming year and apply new ideas for tangible results.
Five highly regarded keynote speakers, 15 specialty sessions and 25-plus resources are on tap for the conference. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network and exchange insider information with fellow producers and fill their minds with new ideas at the Hall of Ideas trade show.
“The speakers are extremely knowledgeable, and I get the opportunity to look at various topics in a different light. I also take this opportunity to see friends and go through the trade show and find out what’s new or what might be a good investment,” said Steve Emerson, a dairy producer from Wisconsin.
Entrepreneur and business coach Dr. David Kohl will share his secrets to identifying and managing opportunities and preparing for the peaks and valleys of business and everyday life. Attendees are sure to walk away with ideas for taking their businesses to the next level. Dr. Kohl has conducted more than 5,000 workshops and seminars for agricultural groups; published four books and more than 1,000 articles on financial and business-related topics; received 11 major teaching awards; received 15 major Extension and Public Service awards; and traveled more than 7 million miles during his career.
Husbands and wives working together to run their dairies will discover how to overcome their unique challenges during the highly informative presentation, “Sleeping with Your Business Partner.” Dr. Becky Stewart-Gross and her business partner and husband, Dr. Mike Gross, will strike a chord with husbands and wives who want to understand why their spouse reacts in certain ways. Dairy couples will discover how to redirect their energies toward being the best they both can be and bring combined goodness to a shared endeavor.
Other speakers include: Dan Thurmon and his unique brand of motivational speaking, geared to help attendees discover how to take action with increased focus and decisiveness; Dan Basse, president of AgResource and a commodity marketing analyst, who will offer his take on global markets, commodity risks and opportunities and a remarkable dairy producer who lived the horrors of life under East Germany’s communist dictatorship. His stirring story and infectious enthusiasm will inspire, motivate, challenge and prepare producers for a year full of opportunity.
A dairy producer panel will deliver a full-cycle discussion regarding how they manage their forage production; reap the most milk per ton of feed and per acre; control costs; and calculate their next move – renting, buying and owning land. Panelists will delve into everything from seed and soil management to contract negotiation and harvest secrets.
Producers will also find the latest offerings from the dairy industry’s preferred suppliers in the Hall of Ideas trade show. The show gives attendees the opportunity to speak directly with company representatives and to discover new products and services that are available to help them achieve business results.
The business conference, which typically gathers producers and industry leaders from across the nation, is open to all dairy producers and industry agribusiness people. To learn more about PDPW’s 2010 Business Conference and Hall of Ideas trade show, or to register for the conference, visit www.pdpw.org.
The PDPW is a dairy producer-founded organization that provides educational programs and services to fellow dairy producers.
