Educational sessions and a trade show with almost 150 exhibitors will highlight the 2010 Midwest Dairy Expo, set for Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at the St. Cloud Civic Center in St. Cloud, MN.
On the first day, keynote speaker Scott Brown from the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) will discuss “The Road for Future Farm Policy: What will Shape the 2012 Farm Bill.” He’ll give insights on what issues will influence the next farm bill, ways to provide an adequate safety net for producers and the role of trade agreements. In the afternoon, Brown will present “Today’s Tools Dairy Producers Have to Reduce Financial Risk.”
Marcia Endres, University of Minnesota dairy scientist, will present “Keeping Your Cows Comfortable” on both days. She’ll share recent research results on dairy management and cow comfort, including the use of recycled manure solids for bedding and evaluation of cross-ventilated freestall barns.
Helping dairy farmers become profitable is what Larry Tranel, Iowa State University Extension specialist, will cover in his Nov. 30 “Millionaire Model Dairy Farms” presentation. That afternoon, he’ll talk about how to design and build a low-cost milking parlor.
Other sessions will include presentations by Brian Schoenborn from Leonard, Street and Deinard on “Succession and Estate Planning”; Andy Mueller from Land O’Lakes, Inc. on dairy nutrition; and Ricardo Chebel, University of Minnesota veterinarian, on reproduction systems. There also will be a panel discussion on “Maintaining Your Social License to Dairy.”
Deluxe registration costs $35 and includes up to five meals, access to all educational sessions and entrance to all networking opportunities, including a social and auction. Go to www.mnmilk.org/midwestdairyexpo for more information and online registration.