FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  December, 2006

DAIRY SUMMIT OFFERS VISION, INNOVATION, SUCCESS
2007 Summit offers 12 breakout sessions and expanded trade show area

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Producers and industry representatives can find a vision for innovation and success at the 2007 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit, scheduled for February 7 – 8 at the Lancaster Host Resort in Lancaster, Pa. Colorado dairy producer Gary Henrickson and nationally-syndicated “Cowboy Comedian” Baxter Black headline this year’s Summit, with registration information now available at www.padairysummit.org.

The Pennsylvania Dairy Summit is hosted each year by the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Dairy Stakeholders. Supporting partners for the event are the Pennsylvania Dairy Task Force, Penn State Dairy Alliance and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Whether you are a producer or from an allied industry, the Summit’s general program offers an insightful look at all aspects of the dairy industry. Cornell dairy economist Mark Stephenson will open the program with a Northeast dairy outlook, followed by Animal Agricultural Alliance Chair Charlie Arnot who will share why the dairy industry must take a proactive approach to animal welfare issues “from farm to fork.”

On the second day, Dairy Food Communications’ Donna Berry will look at the latest product innovations focused on meeting current and future consumer trends. Nebraska ag professor Ron Hanson will follow Berry to address communication barriers within families and within communities and how to overcome them.

New for 2007, the two-day premiere educational event offers 12 breakout sessions addressing a multitude of topics from genetic marketing to transition cow management to on-farm energy costs. Here are highlights on a few of the breakouts:

• Henrickson will follow his general session presentation with a breakout focused on his innovative approach to nutrient management and composting on his dairy operation.
• Blimling & Associates consultant Phil Plourd will give a two-tiered presentation on risk management, offering advice for both beginners and those who have more experience in forward contracting.
• Canadian producer Walter Kessler and DeLaval Solutions Manager Tony Brazda will share their experiences with robotic milkers and how the innovative milking solution can benefit any size operation.
• Penn State ag engineers Gary Sheppard, Tom Wilson and Dennis Buffington will provide ideas for better monitoring and ultimately lowering on-farm energy costs.

An expanded trade show area will showcase the latest and greatest in technology, products, services and programs available to dairy producers and others in the dairy industry. Exhibitors are lining up to be involved in this year’s trade show, which will run throughout the two-day Summit.

The cost to attend the full Summit is $175 per person, with discounts for multiple participants from the same farm. Reduced rates to attend only one day of program or just the banquet are available. Scholarship opportunities to help youth and first-time producer participants offset the registration costs are also available through the Pennsylvania Dairy Stakeholders and the Center for Dairy Excellence.

More details about the discounts and scholarship opportunities, as well as complete program details and a copy of the Summit registration brochure, are available online at www.padairysummit.org. You can also receive more information by calling the PDMP office at 814-238-2893.