Approximately 175 producers and agribusiness professionals attended Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.’s (DFA) 2011 Grazing Conference held in Louisville, Kentucky, this week. The two-day event was presented by Dairy Grazing Services (DGS), a wholly owned subsidiary of DFA that provides resources and consulting services to producers interested in pasture-based dairying.

The Wood County Juniors, in coordination with the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association, held the 2011 Wisconsin Junior Holstein Convention in Stevens Point at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center, Jan. 8-10, 2011. More than 500 Holstein members, chaperones and volunteers were in attendance to help make the weekend a success.

The fairgrounds in York, Pennsylvania, served as the location for the 12th annual Keystone Farm Show Jan. 4-6, 2011. As the state's largest farm equipment trade show, this event draws more than 350 commericial exhibitors and more than 10,000 attendees annually.

The Idaho Dairy Herd Improvement Association recently held its annual meeting at the River Rock Grill in Twin Falls, Idaho. Approximately 15 members and guests were present. Susan Lee, Idaho DHIA’s current president, called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. Lee gave a brief review of the meeting agenda. The minutes for the previous annual meeting were then reviewed by the present members.

The 13th Annual Pacific Agriculture Show will showcase the latest and most innovative equipment and technology for the agriculture industry from Jan. 27-29. More than 250 dealers and manufacturers will display their wares at the Tradex Exhibition Centre in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Prior to the start of the show, the Ministry of Agriculture has put together a Dairy Farm Tour package for Wednesday, Jan. 26. This program is voluntary, and producers can elect to visit all or some of the farms listed for visits.

Fifty dairy producers gathered earlier this month to learn how to maximize profit on their operations. The Dairy Profit Symposium, hosted by the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW), was held Dec. 9-10 in Madison, Wisconsin. The two-day event began with a recap of the major economic forces facing today’s dairy industry.

More than 1,200 people battled yet another winter storm to attend the Midwest Dairy Expo in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Nov. 30-Dec. 1. Plenty of educational opportunities, networking, a trade show, scholarship auction and an entertaining evening dinner kept everyone occupied as the snow fell outside. With the theme, “Small Decisions Changing Lives” the educational sessions included topics on cow comfort, herd health, estate planning, calf raising, profitability, breeding, activism and the 2012 Farm Bill.

Members of the Dairy Business Association (DBA) gathered in Madison, Wisconsin, Nov. 30- Dec. 1, for their 11th Annual Business Conference for educational and networking opportunities. They also honored two farm families, elected directors and heard from their newly elected governor.

The annual California Alfalfa and Forage Symposium was held December 1-3, 2010 in Visalia, California. This annual conference is organized by the University of California Alfalfa Workgroup, and this year saw its return to the San Joaquin Valley after four years in other locations.