Dairy Profit Seminars

Presented by Western DairyBusiness

TULARE, Calif. – Western DairyBusiness magazine once again hosts Dairy Profit Seminars at the 2010 World Ag Expo, the largest show of its kind in the world, which attracts one of the largest gatherings of dairy exhibitors and dairy producers in the nation.

The magazine brings together some of the best speakers and analysts who will provide insight into the latest dairy industry developments.

Expo runs from Feb. 9-11, with gates opening every day at 9 a.m. and closing at 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 4 p.m. on Thursday.

The dairy seminar sessions will be held at the newly fashioned Seminar Complex located in the expansion area of the show grounds at R Street and Expo Lane, south of the huge Dairy Center building that anchors the southeast corner of Expo’s footprint.

The seminar program gets underway each day at 11 a.m. and concludes by 2:30 p.m. most days.

This year’s, dairy seminars include speakers addressing such topics as supply management, the availability of business financing, economic ups and downs impacting the producers’ bottom line, and the growth and challenges seen in the farmstead/artisan cheese industry.

Prior to the popular lunch program, which will again be hosted by Dairy Management Inc., members of the DMI board from the West will provide updates on how producers’ Dairy Checkoff dollars are being spent and what their programs are accomplishing for the industry at large.

Western DairyBusiness magazine also honors the 2010 Outstanding Dairy Producer of the Year, Outstanding Dairy Industry Educator/Researcher, and Outstanding Dairy Industry Service Provider during ceremonies in the Dairy Seminar venue. The presentations to honorees are scheduled at 11:45 a.m. each day of the show.

In addition to seminars and industry awards, this year, some lucky dairy producer will win a 7-day cruise for two to the Mexican Riviera featuring stops at three major ports along the way. Producers can qualify to win at the Dairy Profit Seminar venue or at the DairyBusiness Communications booth in the Dairy Center, space DC6021.

Master of ceremonies for the three-day program will be well known radio personality, Bill Baker of DairyLine, part of the DairyBusiness Communication’s media family.

Tuesday, Feb. 9

11 a.m. “What air and water issues will dairymen face in 2010?” Cynthia Cory, director of environmental affairs for the California Farm Bureau Federation, and Paul Martin, director of environmental services, Western United Dairymen, will provide an update on new air and water quality regulations and compliance requirements. Everything from diesel engine restrictions to lagoon and wastewater management regulations will be discussed.

11:45 a.m. 2010 Outstanding Dairy Industry Educator/Researcher Award Presentation – Dr. Ellen Jordan, Texas A&M University.

12 p.m. Dairy Management Inc., Producer Report

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

1:15 p.m. “Ag Lending – Financing Availability,” panel to include Doug Berg, Farm Credit West; Marc Ehlers, regional vice president, Bank of the West; and Sean Haynes, Rabobank. John Ellsworth of Success Strategies is the moderator.

Wednesday, Feb. 10

11 a.m. ­– “Cost Effectiveness of Feed Additives.” Mary Beth de Ondarza, Paradox Nutrition. With today’s tight dairy margins, we need a good return on investment on all diet ingredients. How do we gather and evaluate research on additives? Do ration parameters, environment and management affect responses? Once an additive is in a diet, how do we know it worked? And finally, how do we know an additive is still needed after six months? Lallemand Animal Nutrition sponsors Mary Beth de Ondarza’s presentation.

11:45 a.m. 2010 Outstanding Dairy Producer of the Year, Carrol Campbell, Winfield, Kan.

12 p.m. Dairy Management Inc., Producer Report

12:15 p.m. LUNCH – Trent Loos, “Preserving Animal Agriculture.” Sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health.

1:15 p.m. “Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel?” Genske, Mulder & Co. presents a panel of financial experts who will share their insight concerning the extreme milk market volatility dairy producers experienced this past year.

Thursday, Feb. 11

11 a.m. “Are wage and hour issues getting you in trouble?” Anthony Raimondo, McCormick Barstow LLP, will zero in on key wage and hour issues that often cause dairy producers problems if they don’t make them a priority.

11:45 a.m. 2010 Outstanding Dairy Industry Development Award, Lorie Vincent (High Ground of Texas) and Janet Buckley Claborn (Muleshoe Economic Development Corp.)

12 p.m. Dairy Management Inc., Producer Report

12:15 p.m. LUNCH – Artisan/Farmstead Cheese Panel – John Fiscalini, Marisa Simoes (Three Sisters Farmstead Cheese), Bill Boersma (Bravo Farms); and moderator Harold Peterson, director, California Milk Advisory Board. With the dramatic expansion of the farmstead and artisan cheese industry in California, these three cheese makers are reaping the benefits of producing excellent cheeses from their own dairy operations. Value added products offer vertical integration in their dairies.

1:15 p.m. Cheese tasting featuring cheeses from Fiscalini Farms, Three Sisters Farmstead Cheese, and Bravo Farms.

2 p.m. Drawing for Western DairyBusiness giveaway of a 7-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera through Cruise Experts. Some lucky dairy producer will with this exciting trip.