Registration Opens May 15th for Remaining Seats on PDMP's June Bus Tour


Heifer Raising at Three Outstanding Operations Featured in Day-Long Tour



For a first-hand look at high-quality heifer raising programs, PDMP's June 4th Heifer Tour will visit three progressive and diverse operations and heifer raisers to share their insights on taking heifer rearing to the next level. The day long bus tour includes lunch and visits to Mount Rock Jerseys, Wa-Del Farm and Dream Farms.

At Mount Rock Jerseys Dan Mains has downsized his All-Jersey herd in order to get the replacements back on the main farm and have more control of their nutrition and growth and his pedigree is so exceptional that Mount Rock Jerseys has built a successful genetic sales business. Tour attendees will see Mount Rock's new calf barn with auto-feeders and the digester that converts the dairy's manure to energy and a bedding that Mt. Rock sells as another business line.

Another model for heifer raising is Dream Farms; a custom grower operation in Newburg that provides birth to sixty days prefresh services for progressive dairies in the Northeast. For Manager Lane Sollenberger, quality nutrition, health protocols and personnel are the most essential focus areas for a top heifer rearing program. The main farm which PDMP will visit on the June 4th Tour is hosting more than 4,000 of the over 8,000 currently under contract at Dream Farms. This is a heifer raising showcase for PDMP tour attendees!

Pedigree is key for Rick Wadel, who built up Wa-Del Farm's genetic business while working with his father Dale. Rick purchased the dairy from his Dad about 8yrs ago and now, with family and a couple full and part time employees, is milking 210 cows in a 15yr old double 10 herringbone parlor in Shippensburg. With

embryos in heifers; genomic testing in 2/3 of all calves; and a keen understanding of the market, Rick has developed a successful business and will share his experience in genomics PDMP Heifer Tour attendees.

In addition to getting insights and ideas from these three top heifer raisers, attendees will also hear from Dr. Tim Trayer, DMV who works with a couple of the operations on the tour, and Penn State Dairy Science Professor Dr. Jud Heinrichs as they join participants on the charter bus to discuss genetics, growth and management of heifers.

Reservations will be secured on a first-come, first-served basis until all seats on the bus are filled and because seating is limited, registration is open to 2015 PDMP Producer Members until May 15th. After May 15th, all remaining seats are open to all dairy producers. NEDPA producer members are also able to attend at the PDMP Member Rate of $25 while the non-member rate is $75 per person. Interested producers can download the registration form at www.pdmp.org or can contact the registration office at toll free at
877-326-5993 or registration@pdmp.org.

PDMPPDMP is a not-for-profit organization of progressive, positive-minded dairy producers and agribusiness leaders working together to advance the dairy industry in Pennsylvania through improved productivity and profitability. Programs offered by PDMP are designed by dairy producers for dairy producers. For more information on PDMP, visit www.pdmp.org or email info@pdmp.org.
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5.12.2015