DAIRY NEWS – Successful dairy producers understand the importance of focusing on the longevity and profitability of each animal in their herd. The 2024 Herdsperson Conference presented by Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP) will build on those concepts and share the latest information about keeping cows healthy and safe at every stage of their life cycle.
Two repeating sessions of the conference will be held: Tuesday, Oct. 29, at Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover, Wis., and Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Arlington Research Station Public Events Building in Arlington, Wis. Registration begins each day at 10:00 a.m. with the program concluding at 3:30 p.m.
All workshop sessions will feature Spanish simultaneous translation. The sessions will provide actionable strategies and insights conference attendees can implement promptly to improve biosecurity and transition-period practices on their dairy, no matter its size.
“In today’s dairy industry, farms need to be armed with the latest biosecurity information to keep animals and the people who care for them safe and healthy throughout a cow’s entire life cycle,” said Shelly Mayer, Slinger, Wis., dairy farmer and executive director of PDP. “The unique format of the PDP Herdspersons Conference ensures that attendees will hear not only from leading experts, but they’ll also have the opportunity to talk with peers about on-farm decisions and real-world scenarios pertaining to the health and longevity of their herd.”
Conference presenters will include:
- Dr. Keith Poulsen, DVM, PHD, DACIVIM (LAIM), will identify threats that can compromise animal health and review critical control points and biosecurity measures to protect a farm’s health and bottom line. Dr. Poulsen holds an appointment in Medical Sciences at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine and is director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which specializes in infectious disease diagnostics and testing of cattle and bovine germplasm for international export and trade.
- Dr. Lautaro Rostoli-Cangiano, PhD, assistant professor in bovine immunology at the UW-Madison Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, will share new insights on how early-life factors can influence long-term disease susceptibility for calves and key management practices to ensure a smoother transition period and more productive lactation. Dr. Rostoli-Cangiano’s lab work focuses on understanding how on-farm management factors affect immune function and overall health of dairy cows over their lifetime.
A panel discussion with three U.S. dairy farmers who have been recognized globally for their world-class herd genetics will provide insights on the future of herd longevity through genetics, management and innovative practices. Panelists include:
- Mitch Breunig, third-generation dairy farmer and owner of Mystic Valley Dairy near Sauk City, Wis. The farm milks about 450 cows with a focus on breeding for heritable production traits, longevity, sound physical build and conformation. Breunig is the breeder of world-renowned Holstein sire 1HO07235 TOYSTORY, who set a world record of producing over 2.4 million units of semen, while producing offspring with a consistent balance of high type, production and fertility.
- Tony Brey, owner of Brey Cycle Farm in Door County, Wis., with his brother, Jacob. They milk 1,400 registered Holstein cows, custom-raise heifers and raise a small herd of beef for their on-farm beef store. Tony Brey is a founding member of Peninsula Pride Farms, a local watershed group in Door and Kewaunee Counties. He’s also a Holstein USA board member, serving on the genetic advancement committee.
- Corey Hodorff, member of the fourth generation to own and operate Second Look Holsteins LLC near Eden, Wis., along with his wife, brother and father. They milk 1,000 cows and crop 1,200 acres in addition to operating Peniel Acres, Ltd., and Hodorff Seeds and Agronomy. Hodorff has served as 4-H leader, Fond du Lac County Dairy committee member, Fond du Lac County Junior Holstein advisor, and Fond du Lac County Holstein Association director.
Herdsperson Conference is accredited for up to 4.5 Dairy AdvanCE continuing education credits and up to 4.5 ARPAS continuing education credits.
Learn more about the 2024 PDP Herdsperson Conference and register your team today by visiting www.pdpw.org or calling 800-947-7379. Follow along digitally in advance of and during the event by following PDP on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) is the nation’s largest dairy producer-led organization of its kind, focusing on producer professionalism, stakeholder engagement and unified outreach to share ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed.
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