Don't miss out on registering for the Commodity Marketing Class -- the series includes a FREE introductory pre-view class, to be held on December 18, 2013, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

The introduction class is designed to offer a sneak-peak of what is to come in the six additional Commodity Marketing Classes during the year.

This series of six formal classes will give you the marketing tools and principles required for successful commodity marketing. After all, it’s difficult to play the marketing game without knowing the fundamentals. This program is targeted for dairy owners, managers and herds-people.

Carl Babler as our expert educator with outstanding credentials to lead the series:

Carl is a commodity marketing consultant and senior hedge specialist with First Capital Ag in Galena, Ill. He knows commodity markets, as he has been involved in the commodity futures industry as a broker, hedger and educator since 1975. Carl has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and completed agribusiness course work at Harvard University.

Topics Covered throughout the Course:

• Understanding agricultural commodity markets and marketing
• Developing an effective marketing plan
• Analyzing the market for market activity
• The futures market
• Understanding and utilizing the cash market
• The options market
• Marketers and hedgers checklist

Dairy farmers and other industry professionals continue to request this top-level training. To pre-register for the FREE introductory class, please click the registration button above. Pre-registration is not required, but greatly appreciated. Registration includes up to two (2) members of the same dairy farm. The series is limited to 30 participants.

Introductory Class Location:

Blackhawk Technical College, Central Campus
6004 S. County Road G
Janesville, WI 53546
Meet in Blackhawk Room

Read more about the class in the brochure, and register online here. For more details, call the PDPW offices at 800-947-7379.

Register today for the full 2014 Commodity Marketing Class (six session course to be held throughout 2014).

Commodity Marketing - Emphasis on Milk Marketing program is a six-session course held throughout the 2014 calendar year.  This program is comprised of formal seminars and networking opportunities, which will provide you with the marketing tools and principles required for successful commodity marketing.   

During the 2014 trainings, lead instructor Carl Babler will focus on marketing rules, principles, beliefs, assumptions and tools available to the marketer while centering discussions on price opportunities.

Topics Covered throughout the 2014 Course:

• Understanding agricultural commodity markets and marketing
• Developing an effective marketing plan
• Analyzing the market for market activity
• The futures market
• Understanding and utilizing the cash market
• The options market
• Marketers and hedgers checklist

To pre-register for the full 2014 course, please click the registration button above. Registration includes up to two (2) members of the same dairy farm. The series is limited to 30 participants.

Commodity Marketing - Emphasis on Milk Marketing (Six Additional 2014 Class) Location:

Blackhawk Technical College, Central Campus
6004 S. County Road G
Janesville, WI 53546
Meet in Blackhawk Room

Read more about the class in the brochure, and register online here. For more details, call the PDPW offices at 800-947-7379.

Managers Academy is an executive educational program developed for CEO's who are dairy owners, managers, industry directors, processors, marketers and distributors.

This year's Academy will be devoted to turning challenges into an avenue for success and sustainability. Change happens, accepted or not. If you desire the knowledge and skills to turn adversity and challenges into an avenue for success, the 2014 Managers Academy is for you. Managers Academy breaks the mold of conventional leadership workshops and will realign how you think and look at change, negotiation and other business dynamics.

The Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza is offering a special rate when you book by December 14, 2013, stating that you are with the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin. It is recommended that you book early to reserve your room.

Due to high demand and limited space, registration is limited to the first 100 registrants. Those interested in attending the 2014 Managers Academy January 14-16, 2014, are encouraged to sign up via the PDPW website, www.pdpw.org, or calling 800-947-7379. For additional information regarding PDPW programming, or to learn more about PDPW, contact PDPW at mail@pdpw.org.

In addition to our generous Mission and Corporate sponsors, thank you to our Managers Academy event sponsors: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., Cargill, Progressive Dairyman, and Zinpro Performance Minerals.

The popular Dairy's Visible Voice™ - Leadership development through effective communication is 5 module program. The individual tracks are stand-alone tracks and can be taken in any order. The communications training is designed to enhance one’s leadership skills in the dairy industry through improved communication.

The track highlighted during this session is "Social Media Basics". Social media platforms allow the dairy industry to reach out and communicate with the 266 million Americans who have Internet access - many of whom are not connected to agriculture. The good news is that you don't have to be an expert with social media to take advantage of social media platforms. You simply need a passion for the dairy industry, a desire to share your story and the skills you obtain through this Social Media Basics course.

This module will explore multiple options:

• Websites
• Blogging
• YouTube
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Other social media tools

Now is the time for the dairy industry to reach into social media and effectively communicate with a non-agriculture audience.

This training will be held January 22, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. in Green Bay, Wis.

For additional information on this training, or Dairy's Visible Voice™ training, please contact us at 1-800-947-7379 or emailabonomie@pdpw.org.

Due to limited space, pre-registration is required.

Those interested can sign up online at www.pdpw.org. The training cost is $129/person for PDPW members and $179/person for non-PDPW members.

The registration fee covers expert training, classroom materials, lunch and refreshments throughout the training.

Succession is more than just handing down the business. Transferring the ownership and management of the family business to the next generation is one of the most important issues farm families face.

This all-day workshop will help develop strategies and tactics to navigate the process of transferring ownership and management of the family business to the next generation with trainers George Twohig and Dr. Deb Houden.

The workshop will walk you through the business transition step by step. Dr. Houden will cover expectations, responsibilities and roles that need to be discussed and agreed upon for the farm to go on in the future. Then, attorney Twohig will teach you how to put the plan in motion covering liability, taxes and examples of effective business models.

The one-day Business Transition Workshop will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on February 11, 2014 in Cashton, Wis. and in Fond du Lac, Wis. February 12, 2014.

Program details are being finalized.  Visit us on January 15 for additional information.

The Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW) announces the 2014 PDPW Business Conference theme: Exceeding Excellence, March 12-13, 2014 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI.

The PDPW Business Conference has seen exceptional growth and overall attendance, year after year, for this two-day conference. PDPW unites leaders who are passionate and engaged in the dairy industry – farmers, dairy suppliers, veterinarians, academia, future dairy leaders, and many more.

In addition to the educational breakout sessions, world-class keynote speakers and the popular Hall of Ideas trade show, PDPW has extended the energy and quality of the event with the addition of a large Equipment Show. This new experience will showcase a variety of large dairy equipment for participants to further explore the latest and most impressive innovation the dairy industry has to offer.

Register today for the 2014 PDPW Business Conference on March 12 -13, 2014 and learn how to Exceed Excellence.

For additional details to secure your Exhibit space Trade Show contract see the "Hall of Ideas & Large Equipment Show program and event "Show Details".

NEW THIS YEAR - EQUIPMENT SHOW AND LARGE DISPLAY AREA!

Exhibitors, join PDPW during your premier national dairy event: 2014 PDPW Business Conference at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. on March 12-13, 2014.

PDPW has extended your Hall of Ideas opportunity by 1/3 its previous size. The new space will allow our industry partners to bring in your larger equipment or offer dynamic, interactive displays, which are sure to attract attention from the events attendees.

There will be more "elbow room" for networking, bringing more dairy producers comfortably into the trade show area during the conference.

Themed pavilions will offer special presentation opportunities for our industry partners as well.

Register your exhibitor space today by completing and submitting your Hall of Ideas Trade Show Contract online here, or by emailing mail@pdpw.org or calling 800-947-7379.

Program details are being finalized.  Visit us on January 15 for additional information.

Program details are being finalized.  Visit us on January 15 for additional information.

The popular Dairy's Visible Voice™ - Leadership development through effective communication is 5 module program. The individual tracks are stand-alone tracks and can be taken in any order. The communications training is designed to enhance one's leadership skills in the dairy industry through improved communication.

The track highlighted during this session is "Building a Proactive Communication Plan for Your Farm". McDonald's and its public relations partner, Golin Harris, have been working since the 1970s to make deposits in what they call the McDonald's "Trust Bank", defined as the accumulated public trust built up by a company which can be used to weather controversies. Building a proactive communication plan for your farm will help build the public’s confidence in what you do every day.

This module starts with your business objectives, moves to actions necessary to accomplish your goals, then adds communications and engagement activities targeting public support. A measurable, on-going community relations program will also be incorporated into the plan so your dairy operation can move its agenda forward while being recognized for its community contributions.

You'll leave this session armed with a proactive communication plan for your dairy. The audiences, messages, activities, timing and expenses necessary to execute a plan and the metrics to evaluate your activities will all be in your notebook.

This training will be held April 10, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. in Madison, Wis.

For additional information on this training, or Dairy's Visible Voice™ training, please contact us at 1-800-947-7379 or email abonomie@pdpw.org.

Due to limited space, pre-registration is required.

Those interested can sign up online at www.pdpw.org. The training cost is $129/person for PDPW members and $179/person for non-PDPW members.

The registration fee covers expert training, classroom materials, lunch and refreshments throughout the training.