Nearly 800 dairy producers and industry representatives gathered in Boise, Idaho, on Nov. 9-10 for the Dairy West annual meeting. The theme, “Inspiring Trust,” was integrated into sessions about working with multiple generations, dairy checkoff results, sustainability and exports.
Program results were shared by Dairy West staff in a roundtable format during the “Lightning talks: Your checkoff in a flash,” where dairy producers learned about how their local dairy checkoff organization in Idaho and Utah is reaching consumers through integrated communications, working with health professionals, building the next generation of dairy consumers in schools and more. Additionally, a few staff members from Idaho Dairymen’s Association were at tables discussing their programs with producers.
Dairy West staff also shared their Q4 marketing campaign called “The Cheese Channel” (thecheesechannel.com) that features local cheeses from cheesemakers in the region, cheese pairings and cheesy appetizers.
Panel discussions focused on sustainability, the economics of dairy promotion and exports.
Keynote speaker Jason Dorsey engaged the crowd as he spoke about the different generations, how they communicate and how to work better with each generation.
He explained why Gen Z is considered a “throwback generation,” that on paper they have many of the same attributes and characteristics as baby boomers aside from their interaction with technology.
“Technology is only new if you remember how it was before,” he said. “This new generation (Gen Z) is coming of age with some different views of the world than maybe we have, and it’s on us to choose to adapt. The number one trend that shapes generations is not technology, but rather it is parenting. How you are raised has the greatest influence of what you are going to do. In this industry, this is important because if parents tell their kids milk is bad for you, that’s what the kids grow up learning.”
Ellissa Clark, worker training and safety director for Idaho Dairymen’sAssociation (IDA), discusses IDA’s worker safety programs with dairy producersduring the “Lightning Talks: Your checkoff in a flash” roundtable session.Producers rotated between tables to learn about IDA and Dairy West programs. Photo by Kimmi DevaneyAttendees visited with vendors and others across the Idaho and Utah dairy industry at the trade show during the breakfast, midday and evening reception breaks.
The following dairy producers and industry representatives were recognized with awards during the meeting.
• Telling Your Story Award: Hannah Lund
• Milk Quality Award – Idaho: Fryslan Dairy LLC nominated by Dairy Farmers of America
• Milk Quality Award – Utah: Lunday Dairy nominated by Gossner Foods
• Milk Quality Award nominees: Andy Bingham Dairy, Gossner Foods; Bettencourt Dairy #4, Idaho Milk Products; Denise C. Earl Dairy, Dairy Farmers of America; Franco Dairy, Glanbia Foods; Leaning Sage Farm, Snake River Dairymen’s Association; River View Dairy, Dairy Farmers of America; Rolling Leaf Farms LLC, High Desert Milk; South View Dairy LLC, Agropur; T&T Cattle LLC, Sorrento Lactalis; William Bokma Dairy LLC #2, Magic Valley Quality Milk Producers.
Dairy West honored graduates of their most recent Dairy Ambassadorleadership class. Photo by Kimmi Devaney
• Friend of the Industry Award: Don McMahon, Ph.D., Utah State University
• Hall of Fame Award: Frank Veenstra, Veenstra Home Dairies, Wendell, Idaho
• Hall of Fame Award: Scott Wayment, Wayment Dairy, Ogden, Utah.
