Progressive Dairyman will again host dairy owners and managers for its seminar series at World Ag Expo. Here’s an exclusive look at what will be offered during the show to be held Feb. 10-12, 2015 in Tulare, California.

DAY 01
Tuesday, February 10
10:30 a.m.
How to talk about GMOs in the dairy industry
Activist groups continue to petition companies like Starbucks and Chobani to use milk from non-GE fed animals. Do you have what it takes to engage in a knowledgeable discussion on the use of GMOs in the dairy industry? Come listen as Alison Van Eenennaam debunks common GMO myths and outlines the realities of producing milk without them.

Noon
Lunch-and-learn: What does the consumer want?
Find out what’s on the minds of today’s dairy consumers. Discover the issues that are most important to them and how the industry is addressing them. A free lunch will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.

1:30 p.m.
Panel discussion: Why do we work in a cloud?
Large-herd dairy producers who use cow-side herd management software that syncs wirelessly over the Internet will discuss how this technology benefits their operations. The producers will highlight the lessons they’ve learned and identify realistic expectations for changing how herd data is captured and managed on a dairy.

3 p.m.
Panel discussion: The future of cloud-based herd management tools
Innovators and commercial companies with cloud-based software will discuss the possibilities these technologies bring to the dairy industry. What does the future hold for application of this technology on a dairy operation? How fast might the technology be adopted? These industry leaders will peer into the future to give dairymen answers to these and other questions.

DAY 02
Wednesday, February 11
10:30 a.m.
Get the latest milk price forecast
Leave your barometer at home as Sara Dorland has her own set of meters and measures to watch when it comes to predicting the milk price. A contributor to the Daily Dairy Report, Dorland will share what is on her pricing radar for 2015 and beyond.

Noon
Lunch-and-learn: Manage market risk
In the margin between milk, feed and energy prices lies a dairy producer’s profit. This presentation will not only provide an overview of the market conditions that impact each side of the bottom line, but it will also provide various approaches to stretch the margin to its maximum potential. A free lunch will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.

1:30 pm.
Video farm tour: Pereira Pastures Dairy, Abernathy, Texas
See what Central Valley native Albert Pereira is doing to market his dairy’s milk directly to consumers in the Texas Panhandle. The dairy is certified for its humane animal care, making its own gelato ice cream, and has been feeding fodder throughout Texas’ most recent drought. A live Q&A with farm representatives will follow this video presentation.

3 p.m.
Wisdom in Minutes
Attend this session and take home a tip or trick to improve your dairy’s efficiency. The hour-long session will feature mini-presentations from leading California dairy professionals. Each will share a tool they’ve discovered to save you time, money or unnecessary hassle. The seminar will be round-robin style with several different presenters.

DAY 03
Thursday, February 12
10:30 a.m.
Benchmarking reproduction in the Central Valley
Learn what’s trending in reproduction in Central Valley dairy herds. University of California dairy adviser for Tulare & Kern Counties Alex Souza will present new data on sexed semen use, conception rates by herd size, trending strategies for managing reproduction during heat stress and more. His presentation is based on the analysis of more than 1.4 million breeding events in California.

Noon
Lunch-and-learn: Manage market risk
In the margin between milk, feed and energy prices lies a dairy producer’s profit. This presentation will not only provide an overview of the market conditions that impact each side of the bottom line, but it will also provide various approaches to stretch the margin to its maximum potential. A free lunch will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. PD

The following businesses proudly sponsor Progressive Dairyman’s 2015 dairy seminars at World Ag Expo.

Mensch
Mensch Manufacturing has been working with dairy farmers for more than 25 years. During this time, together with our customers, we have designed 17 different pieces of equipment that are able to work on any dairy in any country. Our goal at Mensch Manufacturing is to design quality equipment that functions well at a competitive price.

We pride ourselves in providing our customers with equipment they need to run an efficient dairy and a responsive service team to keep the dairy that way. Everyone at Mensch Manufacturing would like to thank all our customers for their support and overall dedication to this industry.

Semex
The top priority on any dairy is getting live calves on the ground. And Semex understands that without good fertility, you don’t have life.

At Semex, we’re committed to the ongoing research and development that resulted in the world’s only international fertility evaluation, Repromax. Semex’s Repromax sires improve a herd’s reproductive performance, longevity and profitability, one straw at a time. Semex is also proud to be the most experienced and knowledgeable supplier of the world’s leading reproductive and herd monitoring solution, Semex ai24.

Profit-minded discussions revolve around reproduction, and at Semex, this is Genetics for Life.

DeLaval
DeLaval is a leading supplier of solutions that improve the performance of farms for professional food producers. We support our customers in reducing their environmental footprint while improving food production, profitability and the well-being of the people and animals involved.

We offer products, systems and services for all steps of milk production. Our solutions are used by thousands of dairy farmers around the globe every day.

DeLaval and its network of more than 100 dealers nationwide have been serving American customers for more than 125 years. Our industry commitment is further demonstrated by continuous innovation and sponsorship of environmental initiatives like the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards.

Soy Best high bypass soybean meal with gums
Balancing dairy rations for bypass protein is standard practice. That’s what Soy Best, a high bypass soybean meal with gums, is for.

Now, nutritionists in the know also balance for amino acids for improved production and income over feed cost. That’s what Soy Best Pearl is for. Soy Best Pearl is Soy Best fortified with Kemin LysiPearl, an encapsulated source of rumen-protected lysine.

Two formulations:

• Original Soy Best with fresh soy gums
• Soy Best Pearl – the only high bypass soybean meal available with rumen-protected lysine mixed in

For more information, contact your local Soy Best dealer or call (800) 422-4697.

Annihilator Polyzone
Annihilator Polyzone is a premise spray for broad-spectrum control of crawling, flying and wood-infesting pests for indoor and outdoor use around cattle facilities, horse stables and other areas listed on the label.

Annihilator Polyzone has an exclusive formulation technology that protects the active ingredient from weather, wash-off and mechanical abrasion for up to 90 days. Mix with water and apply with hand-pressurized or power-operated sprayers. PD