Education Seminars
Attendees who are members of the following organizations can earn continuing education credits: American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) and the American Association of State Veterinary Boards – RACE Program* (RACE). Credits that can be earned are listed below.
Two seminars will be held each day in the Mendota 2 meeting room, located in the Exhibition Hall. Seminars are structured with a 45-minute presentation and time for questions and discussion. Following is a brief synopsis of the material that will be covered in each presentation.
TUESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 30
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4
SEMINAR SYNOPSES & SPEAKERS
All seminars are held in the Exhibition Hall, Mendota 2 meeting room. Each half-hour session is followed by a question/answer period.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
11:00 a.m.
“Agro-Security – Safeguarding the Dairy Industry”
Dr. Darlene Konkle, Veterinary Emergency Program Manager, Division of Animal Health, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Matt Mathison, Vice President, Technical Services for Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
Consumers are becoming more aware of where and how food is produced and the safety and security of the food supply. Safeguarding production agriculture takes a coordinated plan involving government agencies, industry groups and most importantly, producers. Learn how to respond to animal health related emergences and the necessity of a comprehensive security management plan.
Dr. Darlene Konkle
Dr. Darlene Konkle has worked for numerous North American veterinary schools and practices. After obtaining her DVM degree from UW-Madison, she remained in Madison to complete her residency in large animal internal medicine before traveling to Canada to be an instructor at Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Konkle later worked for seven years in the private sector before being hired in 2005 by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and became Veterinary Emergency Program Manager in 2007.
Matt Mathison
Matt Mathison has spent over 30 years working with the dairy and food industry. He currently serves at the Chairman of the Wisconsin Agro-Security Resource Network, which focuses on providing information and raising awareness to numerous groups on food safety and security. Additionally, Mathison is a certified Agroterrorism Preparedness instructor and a member of the FBI Agro-Security Team of Wisconsin. He has been with the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board for the last 11 years.
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, Sponsored by Accelerated Genetics
1:00 p.m.
“Creating a Productive Environment for Calves”
Dan McFarland, Senior Extension Educator – Agricultural Engineering, Penn State Cooperative Extension
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
The future of a dairy herd starts with its replacements. At birth, calves are at a high level of risk to environmental stressors. To ensure their health and safety, housing has become a critical area for producers. Good housing provides protection from stressors and helps to ensure they will be healthy, productive members of the herd. There are numerous options available in calf housing with a variety of features. These features are designed to provide comfort and may be incorporated in new or existing facilities. Dan McFarland has nearly 20 years of experience designing and improving current facilities on dairies in Pennsylvania. His areas of expertise include: farmstead layout and design, ventilation system design and management, animal comfort, stall design, feeding area design, animal cooling, watering systems and manure collection. Additionally, McFarland has written articles for several national publications, spoken at industry events, and has prepared numerous papers for the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and Natural Resource, Agriculture and Engineering Service publications.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, Sponsored by West Central
11:00 a.m.
“Compost Dairy Barns: A Viable Housing Option?”
Dr. Marcia Endres, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota-St. Paul
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
Compost bedding pack barns are becoming a popular housing option, especially in the Midwest. This new alternative housing system provides cow comfort and improved locomotion, resulting in increased milk production. These barns can also be more economical to build. However, there are challenges. Recycled bedding requires proper management including stirring the bedding daily. Dr. Marcia Endres is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota-St. Paul; specializing in cow management and behavior. Originally a nutritionist, Endres noticed the lack of information about cow comfort prompting her to enter the research field to find answers and provide solutions.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, Sponsored by AgSource Cooperative Services
1:00 p.m.
“Dry Cow Nutrition: Current Issues in Feeding Far-Off and Pre-Fresh Dry Cows”
Dr. Garret R. (Gary) Oetzel, Associate Professor, UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
The dry period is instrumental in ensuring a cow’s success for the upcoming lactation. A healthy cow equals to a healthy bottom line. Dry cow nutrition continues to be a focus for researchers and nutritionists alike. Dr. Oetzel will discuss the big picture of dry cow nutrition including key factors to reduce fresh cow problems. Oetzel is an Associate Profession in the Food Animal Production Section at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine teaching veterinary clinical nutrition and applied dairy nutrition. His research and clinical focus includes troubleshooting the dairy herd for metabolic diseases like milk fever, ruminal acidosis and ketosis.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, Sponsored by Calf-Tel
11:00 a.m.
“Building A Relationship Between Grower and Producer”
Lewis B Anderson Jr., National Sales Manager/Calf Management Consultant, Calf-Tel
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
As dairies expand, more producers look to custom heifer growers to raise herd replacements. However, when contracting raising replacements, it can become a complex process for both the grower and producer. Important issues like expectations, animal health and cost require discussion and understanding. Lewis Anderson will explain how communication is the backbone for both parties to be successful. Anderson is no stranger to these negotiations; he has been managing calf ranches for the last 14 years. The calf ranches he has managed include; CalfSource, a 10,000 head operation in Wisconsin and Joseph Gallo Farms, a 25,000 head ranch in California. While employed at CalfSource, Anderson obtained the first ever I.S.O.14001 certification for a heifer raising facility. Over the last several years, he has been active with the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association and is currently serving as the First Vice President. Anderson is a strong advocate for the Dairy Quality Assurance Program. Recently, Anderson accepted a position with Calf-Tel to serve as National Sales Manager/Calf Management Consultant to help producers improve calf-management practices.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, Sponsored by ABS Global
1:00 p.m.
“Longevity…What Should We be Selecting For?”
Dr. Tom Lawlor, Director of Research, Holstein Association USA, Inc.
Dr. Bennet Cassell, Professor, Virginia Tech Extension
Lucy Andrews, Research and Development Executive, Holstein UK
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
How does the Holstein cow need to look and perform in order to last in your milking herd? Do you find yourself asking what you can do to breed and develop more long-lived cows? Join this panel of experts featuring Bennet Cassell, Virginia Tech Extension; Tom Lawlor, Holstein Association USA and Lucy Andrews, Holstein UK, in discussing the health, fitness and type traits that can help improve your herd's longevity. The panel will moderated by ABS Sire Selection Manager, Ryan Starkenburg.
Dr. Tom Lawlor
Dr. Tom Lawlor has worked in the dairy cattle breeding and genetics industry for over 20 years. Currently, Lawlor is employed with Holstein Association USA where he is responsible for genetic evaluations for the Holstein breed. Additionally, he serves as the manager of the North American Consortium, a subcontractor for Interbull that calculates genetic evaluations from over 21 different countries for conformation traits on five breeds. Prior to working for Holstein USA, Lawlor was employed at the USDA Animal Improvement Lab in Maryland and taught dairy cattle management and genetics at the University of Connecticut.
Dr. Bennet Cassell
Dr. Bennet Cassell’s professional goal is to translate research into useful, on-farm information for producers. His extension work at Virginia Tech accomplishes this goal by educating producers about improving dairy genetics through sire selection and mating decisions. Additionally, his research analyzes production records against genetic potential. Cassell’s colleagues at the American Dairy Science Association honored his achievements with the Dairy Management Research Award in 1994 and the J.L. Lush Animal Breeding Award in 2003. He received the National DHIA Outstanding Service Award in 2008.
Lucy Andrews
Lucy Andrews is dedicated to the Holstein cow and producers. For the last eight years, Andrews has worked at Holstein UK in many different capacities. Her current duties include research, development and genetic evaluations. Recently, she also became the Executive for the Center of Dairy Information, the United Kingdom’s first national database for dairy records. In 2005, Andrews was awarded the Nuffield Scholarship allowing her to study how to more effectively communicate the science of genetics to dairy producers.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, Sponsored by Mycogen Seeds
11:00 a.m.
“Navigating the Corn Silage Maze: BMR, Leafy and Other Genetic Traits”
Everett Thomas, William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
It’s no secret that the costs of forages continue to rise due to high input costs and price volatility. This is especially true for corn silage and forces producers to carefully analyze the varieties of corn silage hybrids for yield, net energy and digestibility. However, not all hybrids are created equal. Everett Thomas will lead a discussion about how to choose the best corn silage hybrid while considering herd size, production levels and storage capabilities. Thomas has been an agronomist for over 40 years in New York, first with Cornell University and more recently with the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute. He recently retired but still remains active in the dairy industry through consulting and contributing articles to the Miner Institute’s Farm Report newsletter and other publications. He was honored with the Outstanding Alumni Award from Cornell University and the Merit Award from the American Forage and Grassland Council.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, Sponsored by West Central
1:00 p.m.
“Sorting Manure – Minimizing the Mess”
Dr. Joseph P. Harner, Professor, Kansas State University
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
As dairies grow, the need for an efficient manure management system is essential. Systems should fit the dairies needs while minimizing environmental risks. Determining what type of manure management system works for your dairy can be a challenge. Dr. Harner has worked with several producers on developing everyday solutions for dairies when it comes to manure. He is a professor in Biological and Agricultural Engineering and is also a member of the K-State Dairy Team, working on engineering solutions for manure management and heat abatement, expansion and remodeling. Additionally, his responsibilities as an engineering extension agent include environmental issues related to dairy production, nutrient management, dairy housing options and gravity manure handling systems.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, Sponsored by BouMatic
11:00 a.m.
“Taking Steps to the Future”
Dr. Gerard Cramer
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
Lameness has become a national focus for dairy producers and for consumers. It has become a critical issue both from an animal welfare perspective and more importantly from an economic standpoint. In order to reduce or eliminate lameness, it takes more than just the dairy producer. Hoof trimmers, veterinarians, nutritionists and even dairy supply companies all play a critical role in helping to tackle lameness. Dr. Cramer will help explain how each of these people can provide part of the solution to lameness and identify the steps needed to develop a successful lameness management program. After graduating in 2002, Dr. Cramer worked at a private practice before returning to receive his Doctor of Veterinary Science. His doctoral research identified level and costs of lameness and foot lesions in Ontario dairy cattle. Currently, he is developing a lameness and foot health management service for producers.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, Sponsored by Calf-Tel
1:00 p.m.
“You Can Buy the Family Dairy Farm, but Remember I Still Own It”
Dr. Ron Hanson, Professor, University of Nebraska
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
Family farm ownership transfer can be stressful and filled with questions and concerns. Addressing issues such as communication, emotional feelings, financial implications and future farm plans are important for all family members involved in this transfer. Without the proper frame work and a succession plan, the transfer of ownership for a family dairy farm can result in costly lawyer and legal fees. Dr. Ron Hanson has worked with farm families in Nebraska for over 30 years. With his experience, he can provide valuable insight and advice for a smooth ownership transfer. Dr. Hanson will discuss in detail many of the "what if family issues" often overlooked or even ignored in this process. He serves as the Neal Harlan Professor of Agribusiness in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska. Over the years, Dr. Hanson has received numerous awards and recognition for his work including being the Nebraska Professor of the Year Award, presented by the Carnegie Foundation and the USDA Excellence in University Teaching Award.
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*This program was reviewed and approved by AAVSB RACE program for continuing education. Please contact the AAVSB RACE program at race@aavsb.org if you have any comments/concerns regarding this programs validity or relevance to the veterinary profession.
AAVSB RACE provider – World Dairy Expo, # 395.
