Desire in early November for another wave of dairy farmer action morphed into strategizing among dairy farmers from all regions of the nation for a “Dairy Does D.C.” day.

The Southern Region Dairy Challenge was held November 19-21 in Russellville, Kentucky. Students from all over the southeast quarter of the U.S. participated in the event.

A good herdsman not only understands and manages cows, but they must also understand and be able to manage the people on their team.

Forty-five young dairy enthusiasts came together at the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW) Youth Leadership Derby held in Milton, Wisconsin, in early November.

A tour offered by the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW) highlighted an array of heifer facilities in Northeastern Wisconsin on October 20. The busload of dairy producers traveled to four farms to learn about the structures and protocols implemented to raise healthy heifers.

Dairy Challenge is a unique event that gives students the opportunity to be a consultant for the day. And in the regional dairy challenge competitions, teams are made up of students from a variety of schools in that area. Students are asked to evaluate and collaborate with complete strangers to come up with viable, profitable recommendations for the dairy farm they visit. They present their findings to a panel of judges and are evaluated, with the top teams for each farm receiving the platinum award.

Idaho dairymen and producers from throughout the Northwest convened in Boise during November looking for positive news about their industry. Many found what they were looking for.

Now entered in the history books, World Dairy Expo 2009 can truly be called “Legendary.”

The Idaho Dairymen’s Association invited dairy producers from around the state to hear a panel of speakers discuss the industry’s current milk price situation at the Canyon Crest Event Center in Twin Falls, Idaho, October 9, 2009.

Dr. Larry Fox presented on fundamental principles of milking management and mastitis – the nature of the disease and its control – to students in the Southern Great Plains Dairy Consortium (SGPDC). After the lecture, students took part in a milking system analysis laboratory exercise done on a large commercial dairy operation.