DairyBusiness

‘Powering Global Agriculture’ is the theme for the 43rd annual expo

World Ag Expo is Feb. 9-11, in Tulare, Calif. The largest trade show of its kind in the nation, it will attract nearly 100,000 visitors. Gates open each day at 9 a.m., closing at 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and 4 p.m. on Thursday.

Dairy Profit Seminars

Western DairyBusiness magazine will host Dairy Profit Seminars (see schedule below), addressing supply management, ag credit and feed efficiency during hard times. Artisan/farmstead cheese producers will also share their stories.

Western DairyBusiness will also present annual awards recognizing dairy leaders. This year’s recipients are:

• Outstanding Dairy Producer of the Year: Carrol Campbell, Winfield, Kan. dairy producer and co-chair of the American Farmers for the Advancement and Conservation of Technology (AFACT).

• Outstanding Dairy Industry Educator/Researcher: Dr. Ellen Jordan, Ph.D., Extension dairy specialist at Texas A&M Center.

• Outstanding Dairy Industry Development Award: Lorie Vincent, executive director of The High Ground of Texas; and Janet Claborn, director of Muleshoe Economic Development Corp.

Lunch will be hosted at noon each day by Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), and board producer members will provide updates on dairy checkoff dollars programs.

In addition to seminars and industry awards, a lucky dairy producer will win a 7-day cruise for two to the Mexican Riviera. Producers can enter at the Dairy Profit Seminar venue or at the DairyBusiness Communications booth in the Dairy Center, space DC6021.

Dairy, farm tours

Tours will highlight California’s San Joaquin Valley, one of the richest, most diverse ag regions in the world, and dairy is the largest single commodity bolstering the region’s ag economy. Dairy tours ($30/person) are offered 10 a.m.-2 p.m. daily.

Dairy tours on Feb. 9 & 11 will include stops at Elkhorn Dairy, a 3,500-cow dairy with a carousel parlor and an extensive solar system; and Milky Way Dairy, a 3,000-cow, 4,000-acre dairy.

The dairy tour on Feb. 10 features Fletcher Dairy, a 650-cow dairy operated by Rob and Ed Fletcher; and T-Bar Dairy, an 800-cow dairy milking 2X in a flat barn parlor.

Separate World Ag Expo tours ($30/person) include a citrus tour (Tuesday and Thursday), featuring an orange orchard, packing house and juicing facility; and a tour of the 1,000-acre Monrovia Nursery (Wednesday); followed by a stop at Terminus Dam, which provides flood control and water for crop irrigation.

Finally, a third option (Wednesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. only) will be a tour of three San Joaquin Valley wineries ($45/person).

Reservations for tours will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Register electronically at www.farmshow.org.

Trade show

World Ag Expo spans 2.5 million square feet of exhibit space, room for 1,600 exhibitors to display the latest in farm equipment and technology. Headquarters for World Ag Expo is the International Agri-Center, 4450 South Laspina Street, Tulare, CA 93274. Tulare is located 45 miles south of Fresno, and 60 miles north of Bakersfield. General admission is $12; register online before Feb. 1, for $10.

FYI

■ For more general information on World Ag Expo, phone: 800-999-9186; e-mail: info@farmshow.org or website: www.worldagexpo.com. For information on Western DairyBusiness Dairy Profit Seminars and other dairy-related activities, visit www.dairybusiness.com.

2010 World Ag Expo Dairy Profit Seminars

Tuesday, Feb. 9

11 a.m. – TBA

11:45 a.m. – 2010 Outstanding Dairy Industry Educator/Researcher Award

Noon – DMI producer report

12:15 p.m. – Supply management. Panelists: Doug Maddox, Holstein USA; Syp Vander Dussen, president, Milk Producers Council; Gary Genske, Genske Mulder & Co; and Marvin Hoekema, Dairy Decisions Consulting.

1:15 p.m. – Ag Lending – Financing Availability. Panelists: John Ellsworth, Success Strategies; Doug Berg, Farm Credit West; Marc Ehlers, Bank of the West; and Sean Haynes, Rabobank.

Wednesday, Feb. 10

11 a.m. – Cost Effectiveness of Feed Additives: Mary Beth de Ondarza, Paradox Nutrition.

11:45 a.m. – 2010 Outstanding Dairy Producer of the Year

Noon – DMI producer report

12:15 p.m. – “Preserving Animal Agriculture”: Trent Loos

1:15 p.m. – “Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel?” Panelists: Genske, Mulder & Co.

Thursday, Feb. 11

11 a.m. –TBA

11:45 a.m. – Outstanding Dairy Industry Development Award

Noon – DMI producer report

12:15 p.m. – Artisan/Farmstead Cheese Panelists: Harold Peterson, California Milk Advisory Board ; John Fiscalini; Marisa Simoes, Three Sisters Farmstead Cheese; Bill Boersma, Bravo Farms.

1:15 p.m. – Cheese tasting.

2 p.m. – Drawing for Western DairyBusiness giveaway of a 7-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera.

New location: All sessions will be held at the new Seminar Complex, south of the Farm Credit Dairy Center building.