DAIRY NEWS – Persistence is a key element in a successful dairy business when tied with solid business acumen, an understanding of global trends and sound ethics. Top tier executives will build their expertise in all these areas at the 2024 PDPW Managers Academy for Dairy Professionals® presented by Professional Dairy Producers® (PDPW).
Scheduled for Jan. 9-11, 2024, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the three-day, executive-level program is designed for dairy owners, managers, CEOs, industry directors, processors, marketers and distributors. In addition to world-class training, the agenda will feature a day of touring and learning from executives outside of dairy and networking opportunities with peers and presenters. The “persistence” theme captures the program’s goal of building strong, focused leaders who manage their teams and businesses effectively through even the most volatile times.
Registration for the 2024 academy is currently open, with a special discounted hotel rate at The Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center available through Dec. 26, 2023.
Three management, ethics and economic experts will facilitate the program. Jacob Shapiro, partner and director of geopolitical analysis at Cognitive Investments as well as chief strategist at Perch Perspectives, will lead an interactive discussion on the key geopolitical forces that will shape the next five years. He’ll focus on the trade issues, conflicts and worldwide macro developments that will affect dairy producers and other major agricultural commodities to help dairy executives develop a plan for resilience in our changing world.
Jason Karszes, dairy farm management specialist with the PRO-DAIRY program at Cornell University, will share best practices from the top 20% in the dairy sector, providing insights on how to manage with precision and make effective decisions based on solid financials. He will focus on the large number of small things that top managers consistently perform to deliver profitability year in and year out.
Dr. Richard Kyte, PhD, endowed professor of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University, will highlight strategies to increase employee engagement, retention and productivity while building an ethically responsible culture at your organization. He’ll also explore the ethical implications of new technologies including artificial intelligence.
A full day of executive-level tours will give attendees a new perspective on how to handle challenges that are common to all businesses regardless of sector.
- The Tietje Crawfish Farm will provide an up-close look at the crawfish habitat and harvesting process as well as details about the I-10 Crawfish Cooperative and marketing of this Louisiana food staple.
- The South La Rail Rice Mill is a $6 million rail-loading facility built by the Louisiana Independent Rice Producers with the goal of taking back control of their market. Learn how the rice producers have navigated through a changing industry, consolidation and export challenges.
- Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Marucci is the leading producer of baseball bats for the Big Leagues, as well as other baseball and fastpitch softball gear and apparel. The tour will deliver an inside look at how a work environment that fosters innovation, teamwork and continuous improvement has built Marucci’s impeccable team culture.
- Fluker Farms sells feed mixes, nutritional supplements and other supplies for reptiles and operates in both a business-to-business and business-to-consumer model. Learn about the challenges of managing supply chain for product line that includes live feed blends, as well as how the family-owned business is establishing a succession plan for incoming team members and future generations.
Learn more about the 2024 Managers Academy for Dairy Professionals, including speaker bios, daily itineraries, available continuing-education units, and register at www.PDPW.org or contact PDPW at 800-947-7379. Follow along digitally in advance of and during the event by following @dairyPDPW on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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