Industry Buzz
Feb. 23 2015 09:38 AM

‘How did you do that?’ Dairy farmers share success stories at the 2015 PDPW Business Conference, March 18-19

‘How did you do that?' Dairy farmers share success stories at the 2015 PDPW Business Conference, March 18-19



At the 2015 PDPW Business Conference a diverse line-up of dairy and business speakers is complemented by opportunities to swap stories and ideas, March 18-19 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. The conference is hosted by Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW).

The 2015 conference theme is "Connections," highlighting all the ways dairy producers can connect with business resources and with other dairy producers from around the world. A number of sessions will feature producers sharing their stories and secrets for success:


  • "Bring It On: Dairying Without Quotas in the EU" is a specialty session on Wednesday, March 18. It will feature dairy producers Michael Murphy of Ireland and Eckhard Meiners of Germany. Murphy and Meiners will describe how the end of the long-used quota system in Europe is changing the dairy industry in EU countries. The two farmers will describe how they are adjusting their operations, and where they see the industry going in the next five years. Facilitating the session will be Dr. David Kohl, who will put these stories into perspective for U.S. producers.

  • "Pass It On: Generational Farm Transfers That Work" will be offered Thursday, March 19. Dairy producers Lee and Emily Maassen of Maurice, Iowa, and Dennis and Barb Mashek of Calmar, Iowa will describe how they have been able to keep their farms in the family for multiple generations. Melissa O'Rourke, an attorney and farm management specialist with Iowa State University Extension will facilitate, focusing on what works well in farm transfers, including strategies for working alongside family members.

  • "Make the Most of Fresh Cow BHB Monitoring" will be offered on Thursday, March 19, and features two experienced dairy managers: Jerry Gaska of Nehls Brothers Farm in Juneau, Wis., and Jeremy Natzke, herdsman at Wayside Dairy in Greenleaf, Wis. It will be moderated by Jim Barmore, founding partner of GPS Dairy Consulting LLC. Barmore will also be presenting. The session will focus on the latest measurement tools for beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB), nutritional factors that affect test results, and how to manage in a way that improves results.

  • "Dairy Farming in Ireland" will be an encore 30-minute presentation by Michael Murphy on the Learning Lounge Red Stage in the Hall of Ideas on Thursday, March 19. Murphy will describe plans for expansion of his dairy operation in 2016 after the abolition of the EU quota system.

  • "Dairy Farming in Germany" will be an encore 30-minute presentation by Eckhard Meiners on the Learning Lounge Red Stage in the Hall of Ideas Thursday, March 19. Meiners will talk about his 650-cow dairy and how it is changing with the end of the EU quota system.


These presentations are among the 17 Specialty Sessions and 18 Learning Lounge presentations in the Hall of Ideas. In addition, five keynote speakers and lively evening entertainment will take the stage at the 2015 PDPW Business Conference. For the complete description of all the presentations, visit www.pdpw.org, or call 800-947-7379 for a conference brochure.

PDPW is accepting registrations for the conference online at www.pdpw.org or by phone: 800-947-7379. Registering in advance saves time upon arrival and the walk-in fee.

PDPWProfessional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin is a dairy-producer founded organization that provides educational programs and services to fellow dairy producers. PDPW's mission is "to share ideas, solutions, resources, and experiences that help dairy producers succeed."
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2.23.2015