February 12, 2024
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shelly Mayer
800-947-7379
mail@pdpw.org
 

English-language flier
Spanish-language flier
Hi-res PDPW logo
Driving Innovation logo
 
Connect with Leading Dairy Producers, Industry Trends at 2024 Business Conference
Dairy’s Premier Educational Event is Critical Opportunity for Dairy Professionals to Build Skills, Network
 
DAIRY NEWS – Successful dairy producers work with a robust network of suppliers, advisors and professional service providers to ensure they receive the products, advice and insights needed for their operations. Known as dairy’s premier educational event, the 2024 Business Conference presented by the Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP) delivers an opportunity for dairy industry professionals to learn from leading experts and their peers in a focused two-day event. Scheduled for March 13-14, 2024, at the Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Business Conference is the can’t-miss educational program of the year.
 
The 54 learning sessions are focused in four categories to tailor each attendee’s experience: animal care and food safety; business and financial acumen; human resources, management skills, next generation and transition; and social license, including sustainability, policy and consumer trust. The program flier provides descriptions and speaker information for each session.
 
“If your livelihood depends on products or services that dairy producers need, you already know it’s important to stay on top of the latest research and recommended management protocols. At Business Conference, you can learn from your own colleagues and make valuable connections that will last far longer than these two days in March,” said Janet Clark, dairy producer and vice president of PDP board of directors. “From seasoned professionals to savvy young producers, everyone at conference is actively engaged in the dairy community. There is no better opportunity to ‘fill your cup’ with much-needed interaction with industry peers.”
 
The variety of learning sessions feature something for every learning style with hands-on programs, panel discussions and breakout and specialty sessions, with topics including:
 

• Nutrition and feed management, including “Creative dairy feed solutions” panel discussion with leading nutritionists and consultants, “Sweat the small stuff, cut feed costs” panel discussion with dairy producers, and Learning Lounge sessions focused on feeding of 2023 corn silage and managing dry matter intake.
• Raising calves and heifers, including Hands-on Hub sessions focused on day-one newborn care and pain-mitigation tactics for dehorning and more, as well as the “How to handle heifers: raise them or send away and buy when fresh?” breakout session presented by Dr. Michael Overton, and a Learning Lounge session on grazing systems for raising heifers.
• Sustainability and environmental management, including “Calculating your sustainability impact” breakout session, Preview Stage sessions focused on water quality and environmental drivers, cover crops and manure management, and reducing enteric-methane emissions from dairy cattle.
• Business leadership skills, including “Build – and keep – the perfect team” panel discussion with leaders from Kwik Trip and Marucci Sports, sessions on negotiation skills led by author and expert Linda Swindling, and Hands-on Hub sessions focused on crisis communications.

 
The conference general sessions will deliver timely insights and perspectives on some of the most critical topics in today’s dairy industry. A dairy producer panel titled “Driving innovation in the environmental sustainability discussion” will highlight experiences in calculating carbon footprint and methane impact on dairy operations. Jacob Shapiro will identify geopolitical trends that will impact agriculture over the next five years and pinpoint how attendees can position themselves to be prepared. Opening speaker Brent Gleeson will share experiences as a Navy SEAL combat veteran and provide lessons in navigating change with resilience and passion. Bruce Vincent will wrap up the conference with an inspiring conversation about sharing information with consumers to ensure dairy is afforded the social license to operate well into the future.
 
Attendees will also get a sneak preview of what’s ahead for the industry at both the Preview Stage and Nexus® Stage. The Preview Stage will feature university faculty and graduate researchers presenting the latest research in their programs, many of which are funded through the Dairy Innovation Hub. On the Nexus Stage five companies will present new innovations and products for the industry.
 
Throughout the conference, the Hall of Ideas trade and equipment show will showcase opportunities to connect and network with fellow dairy producers, industry leaders and vendors. The Hall of Ideas will also serve as a gathering place for entertainment, watering holes, coffee, milk, snacks and other amenities.
 
PDP Business Conference offers continuing-education units available for select sessions through Dairy AdvanCE® (DACE), American Registry of Professional Scientists (ARPAS) and Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Program.
 
Register today by visiting the 2024 PDP Business Conference website. Also available are the English-language flier, the Spanish-language flier, information on exhibiting and details on lodging. A discounted rate at Kalahari Resorts is available if booked through PDP by Feb. 19.
 
Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) is the nation's largest dairy producer-led organization of its kind, focusing on producer professionalism, stakeholder engagement and unified outreach to share ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed.
 
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