Optimism for the dairy industry’s future filled the convention center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where 264 college students gathered to improve skills, network and learn about careers and industry innovation. The national Dairy Challenge held April 3-5 attracted students from 37 colleges in 25 states and three Canadian provinces.

More than 300 dairy calf and heifer growers, industry representatives and allied associates met in Green Bay, Wisconsin, for the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) 2014 annual conference held April 1-3. Producers in attendance represented more than 500,000 cattle.

The 2014 annual conference of the American Butter Institute (ABI) and the American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI) is scheduled for April 27-29 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The conference will feature two days of speakers and programs on various industry topics.

Registration for the National Mastitis Council (NMC) regional meeting, Aug. 4-6, is now open. This three-day event will be held at Ghent University in Ghent, Belgium.

On March 12-13, more than 1,500 dairy farmers and allied industry professionals gathered in Madison for the 2014 Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW) Business Conference. Progressive Dairyman Editor Peggy Coffeen captured these photos at the event:

Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW) will offer a specialized training to help dairy farmers create a proactive communication plan with the use of social media strategy to increase reach and visibility. The training, part of the Dairy’s Visible Voice curriculum, will be held 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 10 at the PDPW headquarters in Juneau, Wisconsin.

The AgSTAR 2014 National Workshop, held April 7 in San Diego, will feature a series of panels designed to maximize interaction and discussion around the strategies being used to successfully implement agricultural biodigesters. The group is excited to bring together four sets of speakers, each with a diversity of perspectives and great depth of knowledge.