FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  January 5, 2009

PA Dairy Summit Breakouts Give Information To Take Home and Use

Bellefonte, PA – As dairy producers face a difficult economy and the increasing pressures of public scrutiny, information from breakout sessions at the 2009 PA Dairy Summit will have practical applications and long-term implications for the dairy industry. Dairy producers and industry supporters are registering now for the Summit on February 11 and 12 at the Lancaster Host Resort in Lancaster, Pa.

Four breakout topics are run simultaneously allowing the larger audience to form smaller groups in each session for greater interaction with the speakers and more specialization in the discussions. Each topic is repeated, making it possible to attend two out of the four subjects presented in the sessions. They include discussions on sustaining dairy production, the impact of non-traditional feeds on production, using new animal care standards to improve profitability, and creating a local network that supports dairy production.

According to Summit Chair Dina Zug, a dairy producer from Zugstead Farm in Mifflintown, PA, the breakout topics for this year’s event were specifically selected because they are hot buttons for the future of the dairy industry. George Mueller, who will also give a presentation on “Secrets to Profitability and Steady Growth” in a general session, has been enlisted to do a more intimate breakout session on “Ideas for Transitioning the Dairy Farm and Bringing New Producers into the Business.” George and his wife Mary Lue are founders of Willow Bend Farm in Clifton Springs, NY, and have worked closely with many young producers to help them get started in the dairy business. The session promises to be useful both to long-term producers with an interest in preserving the industry and to those who are ready to break into the dairy business.

“Solutions for Maintaining Energy Levels from Non-Traditional Feeds” will be offered by Dr. Gabriella A. Varga, a professor in the Department of Dairy and Animal Science at Penn State since 1985. Her research focuses on two areas: management strategies for late gestation and early postpartum dairy cows that will minimize the incidence of periparturient metabolic disorders to enhance farm profitability and on the impact of forage sources on nitrogen balance and efficiency, ammonia emissions from the manure, dry matter intake, and milk production in lactating dairy cows. She incorporates basic and applied concepts to provide an understanding of factors affecting transition cow needs while giving information directly applicable by the dairy producer.

When an incident occurred that made his Sackets Harbor, NY, farm a focus for media attention, dairy producer Ron Robbins was grateful that he had already created strong relationships with his neighbors and community that helped erase misperceptions of his farm and the issues involved. Ron will teach producers “How to Profit from Telling Our Story” and share specifics of how his 500 cow farm benefits financially and also in less tangible ways from outreach such as sales of vegetables grown on the farm and their agri-entertainment and education efforts.

As a response to a growing movement focused on animal well being, Pennsylvania has been a leader in developing a program to certify dairies on Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance. A discussion during an August Issue Forum offered by the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania was an eye-opener for many producers on how a few adjustments in farm practices can also have big benefits for the bottom line. This follow-up session on “The Benefits of Doing Things Right” by Drew Wilkins of Cargill Meat Solutions and Paul Slayton of the Pennsylvania Beef Council will also build on a Summit general session presentation on animal well-being by Dr. Wes Jamison from the University of Florida and Dr. Jim Reynolds, chair of the American Veterinary Medicine Association’s Animal Welfare Committee.

These high impact breakouts are just part of the two-day Summit program that also features general sessions on “Emerging Trends in the Dairy Industry” and “Sustainability and Dairy’s Carbon Footprint.” In addition to George Mueller’s farm showcase, Wisconsin dairy producer John Vrieze will use a showcase of his Emerald and Baldwin Dairies in “Capturing Value and Creating Innovation.” Another dairyman, Hand Wagner, will close the Summit by using his personal experience to share how opportunities can be found in the most unexpected places. New on the Summit program this year are segments for open discussion among the entire audience with experts on innovation and developing dairy markets.

The complete agenda and registration information are available at the special Summit website: www.padairysummit.org. Through an arrangement with the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board registration fees for producers can be as low as $80.

The list of Summit exhibitors, expected to grow to more than 60 industry suppliers, is also updated regularly at www.padairysummit.org.

The PA Dairy Summit is hosted by the Pennsylvania Dairy Stakeholders (www.padairystake.org) and the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania (www.pdmp.org). Supporting partners are The Center for Dairy Excellence, the PA Department of Agriculture and the Penn State Dairy Alliance, an initiative of Cooperative Extension. The broad list of suppliers that also support the industry as Summit sponsors is shown at www.padairysummit.org.

For additional details or specific questions, the PA Dairy Summit business office can be reached at info@padairysummit.org or 877-326-5993.