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February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line 1

Rolling out the red carpet T h e O s c a r s we r e j u s t awarded in Hollywood. Red carpets were rolled out for “A-list” celebrities from around the world. To attend the event or its parties, you needed connections. T h e d a i r y i n d u s t r y ’s A-listers also have a place to connect: the 2015 PDPW Business Conference, March 18-19 in Madison, Wis. This is one event where you’ll come out with more connections than you had going in. If your career is connected to dairy, you’ll want to see, and be seen, here. AND THE REWARD GOES TO… Two days making connections at the PDPW Business Conference will propel your business and career forward like no other dairy event. You’ll find session topics and networking for you and everyone who works with you on your dairy. Who are some of the people who will benefit from attending? • ‌Young dairy producers l o o k i n g to co n n e c t w i t h great ideas and resources • ‌E xperienced dairy producers looking for an edge • ‌S easoned dairy producers helping shape the next generation • ‌H erdspersons and farm employees looking to amp up skills • ‌Techies who want to test drive the latest technology • ‌S uppliers seeking business connections • ‌Researchers applying the latest thinking

• ‌A nimal and plant scientists seeking CEUs • ‌Veterinarians, nutritionists and crop consultants seeking to understand their clients better — and receive CEUs • ‌D airy business professionals who want to understand the challenges and o p p o r t u n i t i e s fa c i n g t h e dairy farms of tomorrow When you have this many people who are passionate about the dairy industry in one place, you are bound to meet someone who will connect you to that perfect person, idea or solution. The rewards from these two days will keep rolling in all year long. LIFE-TIME ACHIEVERS At the 2015 PDPW Business Conference, you’ll see people in all stages of their d a i r y c a re e rs , f ro m t h e eager, wet-behind-the-ears t ra i n e e to t h e sea so n e d , unflappable professional. Learning is lifelong. What a great message we send to consumers when we constantly improve our skills and our knowledge. This diverse audience is united by a commitment to p ro d u c i n g q u a l i ty m i l k , profitably. The success of your dairy is front and center in every session, with every speaker. UP-AND-COMERS PDPW is dairy’s professional development organization. Anyone with eyes on a dairy career will benefit from rubbing shoulders with the industry’s best at the

2015 PDPW Business Conference. Two career-building opportunities will culminate at this year’s conference: • ‌P D P W D a i r y M e n t o r Program: Nearly 70 pairs of mentors and students will learn alongside one another. • ‌Cornerstone Dairy Acade m y TM: R i s i n g - s t a r a n d transitioning dairy professionals will build their busin e sse s a n d n e two rk i n g skills. There’s no better place to develop your dairy career than PDPW, and no better t wo d a ys t h a n t h e 2 0 1 5 PDPW Business Conference. Come as you are. You are an A-lister. We’ll roll out the red carpet for you and hook you up with your best connections ever.

Dairy’s Bottom Line is published by PDPW with cooperation from

1901 Fish Hatchery Road Madison, Wisconsin 53713 Toll-Free: 1-888-247-4843 agriview@madison.com ‌ www.agriview.com Editorial Managing Editor Julie Belschner 608-219-8316 ‌jbelschner@madison.com Advertising Sales Manager Tammy Strauss 608-250-4157 ‌tstrauss@madison.com

PDPW Board of Directors President Keith York Lake Geneva, Wis. 262-903-6265 kejyork@gmail.com Vice President Mitch Breunig Sauk City, Wis. 608-643-6818 mysticvalley@wildblue.net Secretary Kay Zwald Hammond, Wis. 715-796-5510 rfkz@centurytel.net Treasurer Charlie Crave Waterloo, Wis. 920-478-3812 charles@cravecheese.com Directors • Jeremy Natzke Greenleaf, Wis. 920-371-1968 jnatzke@yahoo.com • Brian Forrest Stratford, Wis. 715-650-0267 bforrest70@gmail.com • Marty Hallock Mondovi, Wis. 715-495-2812 marbec@nelson-tel.net • Walter Meinholz DeForest, Wis. 608-846-4379 wmeinholz@centurytel.net • Linda White Reedsburg, Wis. 608-985-6006 linda@krdairy.com PDPW Advisors • Matt Repinski Land O’Lakes Winfield Division Amherst, Wi. • Dr. Richard Wallace Zoetis McFarland, Wis. • Dr. Steve Kelm University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, Wis. • Steve Schwoerer Badgerland Financial Fond du Lac, Wis.

2 February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line

2015 PDPW Business Conference highlights Day 1 – Wednesday, March 18 8 a.m. Registration begins 9 a.m. Hall of Ideas and Equipment Show opens 9-10:15 a.m. Pre-conference Specialty Sessions. See page 4. 10:30-11 a.m. Learning Lounges in Hall of Ideas. See page 7. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch served in Hall of Ideas. 11:30 a.m.-Noon Learning Lounges in Hall of Ideas. See page 7. 12:30 p.m. Conference Kick-Off KEYNOTE: “Connecting the Dots, Economically and Generationally” Dr. David Kohl, economist and professor emeritus KEYNOTE: “The Real Truth About Success: What the Top 1% Do Differently and Why They Won’t Tell You” Garrison Wynn, author and entrepreneur 2:45-3:15 p.m. Learning Lounges in Hall of Ideas. See page 7. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Afternoon Specialty Session One. See page 5. 4:45-5:45 p.m. Afternoon Specialty Session Two. See page 5. 5 p.m. Dairy-Style Reception. Connect with friends, other industry professionals and an assortment of delicious cheeses. 6:30 p.m. Dinner and entertainment 9 p.m. Refreshments and networking Day 2 – Thursday, March 19 7 a.m. Continental breakfast in the Hall of Ideas and Equipment Show 8:15-8:45 a.m. Learning Lounges in Hall of Ideas. See page 10. 9 a.m. KEYNOTE: “Think Globally, Connect Locally” Tim Hunt, Dairy Strategist, Rabobank

We Grow You! 10:15-11:15 a.m. Morning Specialty Session One. See page 6. 11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Morning Specialty Session Two. See page 6. Noon-2 p.m. Lunch served in Hall of Ideas. 12:45-1:15 p.m. Learning Lounges in Hall of Ideas. See page 10.

1:45-2:15 p.m. Learning Lounges in Hall of Ideas. See page 10. 2:30 p.m. KEYNOTE: “Connect to Profit Opportunities in 2015” Mary Ledman, Keough Ledman Associates KEYNOTE: “ ‘Never Fly Solo’ and Other Words of Wisdom from a Wingman” Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” Waldman 4:30 p.m. Conference concludes

February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line 3

2015 PDPW Business Conference Keynote Speakers Day 1 Keynote Speakers 12:30 p.m. General Session: Connecting the Dots, Economically and Generationally Dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s financially is an everyday must, and so is connecting with the right information from around the globe. With one foot planted on your dairy and the oth er on t he gas pe dal, acclaimed economist and teacher D r. D a v i d Kohl will take you on a ride far beyond your farm, exploring David Kohl economic data and resources that will make a difference in your future success. Whether you are just starting or at the peak of your career, Dr. David Kohl will help you connect with critical success factors, and visualize just how important you are to the dairy universe. CEU: 1 UW-SVM; 1 PD CCA Back by popular demand, Dr. David Kohl is the dairy industry’s No. 1 guru, bringing 9 million miles worth of traveling, teaching and mentoring agricultural business leaders to the stage. Kohl is Professor Emeritus in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department at Virginia Tech and President of AgriVisions LLC. 1:30 p.m. Genral Session: The Real Truth About Success: What the Top 1% Do Differently and Why They Won’t Tell You Be prepared to laugh and

learn as this research-based keynote reveals how top performers harness the power of their advantages, even when the odds are not in their favor. Business-relationship expert and Amazon.com bestselling author Garris o n Wy n n d e l ive rs a high-impact program that answers two monumental questions: How do you Garrison Wynn get people to do what you want them to do? And how can you see better results from the challenging people you encounter along the way? With an emphasis on what you can actually walk out of the session with and achieve tomorrow, this program shows how to weather the perfect storm while still looking really good in a raincoat! C E U : 1 U W- S V M ; 1 ARPAS; 1 PD CCA Uniquely blending the talents that established him as a young Fortune 500 leader and a successful professional stand-up comedian, Garrison Wynn fuses comic timing and research to deliver his motivational business expertise. In his teens, Garrison worked with Magnavox and baseball legend Hank Aaron to promote the world’s first video-gaming system, and, by age 27, he became the youngest department head in a Fortune 500 company’s history. He has created and marketed products sold in 30 countries and is the author of the Amazon. com bestseller, “The REAL Truth About Success.”

Day 2 Keynote Speakers 9 a.m. General Session: Think Globally, Connect Locally Global dairy strategist Tim Hunt assesses the demand for dairy products around the world, growth in competing dairy regions and your ability to compete on the world stage. And, because U.S. dairy success is not only about production, he’ll explore the c h a l l e n ge s fa c i n g o u r p ro ce ss i n g Tim Hunt infrastructure, revealing the increasingly important connections between everyone in the dairy supply chain. When you understand how you’re connected to others in the chain, you’ll learn where risk lurks and opportunities abound. Tap into this global-to-local perspective that will help you position your business for future success. CEU: 1.2 UW-SVM; 1 PD CCA Tim Hunt is the global dairy strategist for Rabobank’s Food and Agribusiness Research and Advisory team. He leads a team of 12 dairy analysts located in the world’s major dairy regions. Rabobank serves farmers, processors, traders and users of food and fiber in more than 45 countries around the world, including the United States. 2:30 p.m. General Session: Connect to Profit Opportunities in 2015 and Beyond No one knows the dairy markets as well as Mary Ledman. Her 30 years of experience in the dairy industry have given her

keen insight into the production, processing, pricing and policy side of dairy. Pull up a chair as she delivers conMary Ledman cise information on where we have been, where we are at, where we are going and how to arrive there profitably. This expert will put you in the know so you can make decisions about where your business should be headed. C E U : 1 U W- S V M ; 1 ARPAS; 1 PD CCA Mary Ledman is founder of Keough Ledman Associates, a dairy economic-consulting firm that provides dairy-product and milk-price forecasting, economic and policy analysis, dairy-product and milk-sourcing strategies and domestic and international dairy-market information. 3:30 p.m. Closing: “Never Fly Solo” and Other Words of Wisdom from a Wingman Buckle up for this former fighter jet pilot, Lt. Col. Rob “ Wa l d o ” Wa l d m a n , whose inspirational message is sure to lift you off yo u r s e a t . T h i s high-energy, Rob Waldman actionpacked presentation reveals how to transform real-world business experiences by breaking peak performance barriers. And by the way, you can’t break barriers on your own. See SPEAKERS, PAGE 4

4 February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line

Join today! Three types of membership‌ ‌ Dairy Farm Member One membership per dairy entity covers all managers, spouses and employees. While each dairy entity has one vote, every person within the dairy — operator, spouse and employees — enjoys the member rate when attending events.‌ ‌Associate Member Membership is open to any individual interested in the dairy industry. This is a non-voting membership. Associate members enjoy the member rate when attending PDPW events.‌ ‌‌Corporate Member Open to any group, company or organization interested in the dairy industry. This is a non-voting membership. This membership qualifies every employee within the organization for the member rate when attending PDPW events.‌ To learn more or to join PDPW, call PDPW at 800-947-7379 or go to www.pdpw.org ‌

Speakers Continued from page 3

Waldo’s rule is “never fly solo.” You’ll leave the conference feeling the need for speed, and also to be well connected to your family, friends, peers and co-workers. CEU: 1 UW-SVM; 1 PD CCA Waldo the Wingman, Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” Waldman, is a decorated fighter pilot who trained for combat in the U.S. Air Force. He is the author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller “Never Fly Solo.”

2015 PDPW Business Specialty Sessions Day 1 Pre-Conference Specialty Sessions 9-10:15 a.m. Select one of the following Specialty Sessions or spend time in the Hall of Ideas and Equipment Show. Honey I Shrunk Our Profits: Preventing Losses from Silage Shrinkage The amount of silage that never makes it from the silo to the feed bunk is ridiculous; 16 to 20 percent of the total tons ensiled last year went to waste. That’s m o re t h a n $1.6 billion of inventory. S to p t h e shrinkage with key Keith Bolsen silage-management practices that can decrease dry-matter loss by 5 to 10 percentage points, and improve feed quality and safety. Both bunker silos and drive-over piles will be discussed. Attend and find the money hidden in silage. CEU: 1.5 UW-SVM; 1 ARPAS; 1 PD CCA Keith Bolsen is professor emeritus in the Animal Sciences and Industry Department at Kansas State University and a leading industry consultant on safe, efficient and profitable silage programs. HANDS-ON LAB: All Hoofs on Deck In this hands-on hoof workshop participants will learn how to treat lame cows — everything from the basics of treating foot lesions to techniques for therapeutic trimming and blocking. Not just lecture, this session is “show, tell and practice”

using cadaver feet and the right equipment. Save money and keep cows healthy with these essent i a l s k i l l s. Gerard Cramer Space is limited in this session. CEU: 1.5 UW-SVM; 1 ARPAS Gerard Cramer, DVM, is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota. His previous veterinary practice focused on providing bovine foot care, consultation and research services to the dairy industry. Road Ready: Learn the New Laws for Farm Implements Does size matter? How about weight and width? Ignorance is no excuse when it comes to preventing accidents and minimizing wear and tear on rural roads. Eve r yo n e who operates equipment should attend this session for a clear understanding of the new laws and regMichael ulations Klingenberg affecting farm implements. Protect yourse l f, yo u r employees, your neighbors and your community relationships! CEU: 1.5 Rob Richard UW-SVM Sgt. Michael Klingenberg is the motor-carrier sergeant for

the North Central Region of the Wisconsin State Patrol. He supervises 10 inspectors in an 18-county area in central Wisconsin. Rob Richard has served in the offices of several state government officials and is currently senior director of governmental relations for Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. Bring It On: Dairying Without Quotas in the EU Two international dairy producers speak about how the end of the long-used quota system in Europe is changing the dairy industry in European Union countries. I r e l a n d ’s Michael Murphy and G e r m a n y ’s Eckhard Meiners explain how they are David Kohl adjusting, a n d wh e re they see the EU dairy industry going in the next five years. Facilitator D r. David Michael Murphy Kohl will put these stories into perspective for U.S. dairy produce r s . Ta k e home global connections and inspiraEckhard Meiners t i o n f r o m dairy pro ducers who do not fear change – they embrace it! See SESSIONS, PAGE 5

February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line 5

Sessions Continued from page 4

CEU: 1.5 UW-SVM; 1 ARPAS; 1 PD CCA Dr. David Kohl is professor emeritus in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department at Virginia Tech and president of AgriVisions LLC. Michael Murphy, his wife, Geraldine, and son, Jerry, operate a family dairy farm that has existed in Coolnasoon, Ireland, since the 1830s. They currently milk 117 mostly Holstein Friesian cows with plans to expand when the EU quota lifts. Eckhard Meiners, together with his wife and 15 employees, milk 650 cows. A new milking parlor and barns combine with a biogas plant and cropland on this thriving dairy operation near the North Sea coast of Germany. Trending on Farms: Ultrasonography for Accurately Diagnosing Respiratory Disease On-farm use of this technology provides opportunities to diagnose and treat respiratory problems in calves before t h ey s h ow clinical signs of distress. Dr. Theresa L. Ollivett will demonstrate the technolTheresa Ollivett ogy and explain techniques involved in ultrasounding the respiratory system. She will also share results from several recent studies weighing the costs and benefits of portable ultrasound technology. Is this more proactive approach right for your farm? Bring your questions.

CEU: 1.5 UW-SVM; 1 ARPAS Theresa L. Ollivett, DVM, is an assistant professor within the Food Animal Production Medicine section of the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. Day 1 Afternoon Specialty Sessions 3:30-4:30 p.m. and 4:455:45 p.m. Each of these one-hour sessions will be offered twice. Select and attend two of the following Specialty Sessions or spend time in the Hall of Ideas and Equipment Show. This is a Lame Session It’s very interactive, though, and you’ll take home the latest research on p reve n t i n g lameness in dairy cattle, especially during the critical transition period. You’ll also Gerard Cramer learn treatment strategies for both hoof-horn lesions and digital dermatitis. No question is too lame for this hoof expert, so bring yours. CEU: 1.2 UW-SVM; 1 ARPAS Gerard Cramer, DVM, is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota. His previous veterinary practice focused on providing bovine foot care, consultation and research services to the dairy industry. Wireless Cows and Wearable Technology for the Farm Come learn how hands-free technology is shaping farms of the future. Craig Ganssle, founder and CEO of Basecamp Networks, will introduce intelliSCOUT®, the first agriculture p l a t f o r m f o r w e a ra b l e

technology. In addition, Ganssle will ta l k a b o u t how his company’s agricultural arm, FarmHouse Networks, is Craig Ganssle able to increase cow connectivity. CEU: 1.2 UW-SVM; 1 PD CCA Craig Ganssle designs applications for wearable technology. He is founder and CEO of Basecamp Networks, the first company to bring wearable applications to agriculture. Create Your Own Survivability Gauge (Offered first session only) No matter where your farm is in its life cycle, certain proven strategies can keep you in business through the “go and whoa” cycles. The energetic Dr. David Kohl will teach how to take big data and break it into smaller, David Kohl manageable b i te s t h a t measure survival rates through any cycle. Psst... Your lender will love that you attended this session and put these tools to work on your farm. C E U: 1 . 2 U WSV M ; 1 ARPAS; 1 PD CCA Dr. David Kohl is professor emeritus in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department at Virginia Tech and president of AgriVisions LLC. Reading Your Cows’ Cues If she is avoiding social competition at the feed bunk or spending more time standing than usual, she might be trying to tell you something. Recent research from the UBC

Animal Welfare Program uses animal behavior to identify cows at risk for disease and lameness. Monitor cows Katy Proudfoot effectively to diagnose problems before they escalate. Use this information to create the absolute best environment for health and longevity. CEU: 1.2 UW-SVM; 1 ARPAS Dr. Katy Proudfoot teaches at Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Her research focuses on the relationship between behavior, management and disease during the calving period. The Chosen Ones: Why Being Good is Not Good Enough Anymore (Offered first session only) We’ve all heard about best practices and expert knowledge. So why aren’t the smartest people with the most information always in charge or No. 1 in their field? Garrison Wynn provides original research from his #1 b e s tse l l i n g book “The Cowbell Principle” to explain why certain products, services or leadership styles are Garrison Wynn consistently chosen and others are not. Success is more than being good at what you do. It’s about being consistently chosen to do it. Attend this session and learn how to make ideas and products that others will choose. See SESSIONS, PAGE 6

6 February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line

Sessions Continued from page 5

CEU: 1.2 UW-SVM; 1 PD CCA Garrison Wynn is a Fortune 500 business leader and a successful stand-up comedian. Products that Garrison created and marketed are sold in 30 countries. He is the author of “The REAL Truth About Success.” HANDS-ON LAB: The Anatomy of the Dairy Cow Udder See it here first-hand. This inside look at the bovine udder will help you understand the “how” of milk production and the “ w h y ” b e h i n d eve ry- d ay p ra c t i ce s Keith Poulsen with dairy c o w s . Udderly meticulous dairy professionals will a p p re c i a te how Dr. Keith Poulsen and D r. P e t e r Peter Vanderloo Va n d e r l o o connect the dots between anatomy, physiology and every-day management. CEU: 1.2 UW-SVM; 1 ARPAS Dr. Keith Poulsen, DVM, is the diagnostic case and outreach coordinator at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. He is also a clinical assistant professor in the Medical Sciences Department at the UW-School of Veterinary Medicine and a specialist in Large

Animal Internal Medicine in the UW-Veterinary Care Large Animal Teaching Hospital. Dr. Peter Vanderloo, DVM, is associate director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. He has 23 years experience as a practicing veterinarian with a primary emphasis in dairy cattle. Day 2 Morning Specialty Sessions 10:15-11:15 a.m. and 11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Each of these one-hour sessions will be offered twice. Select and attend two of the following Specialty Sessions or spend time in the Hall of Ideas and Equipment Show. Make the Most of Fresh Cow BHB Monitoring E n e r gy-balance management of transition Jim Barmore cows is being m o n i to r e d effectively at many dairies. Learn how to interpret ketosis testing using the latest measurement Jerry Gaska tools for beta-hydroxybutyric acid — BHB. Session l ea d e r J i m Barmore will share insights on the nutritional factors Jeremy Natzke that impact BHB test results and how to manage in a way that improves results. Most importantly, hear f i rs t - h a n d f ro m f e l l o w

producers who are monitoring BHB, and how it impacts their operations. CEU: 1.2 UW-SVM; 1 ARPAS Jim Barmore is a founding partner of GPS Dairy Consulting LLC and has been providing technical service and management expertise to dairies since 1983. He offers expertise in forage management, ingredient procurement, inventory management, herd-performance monitoring, financial evaluation, cow comfort and facilities. Dr. Jerry Gaska, DVM, is dairy manager at Nehls Brothers Farms, a 2,000-cow dairy in Juneau, Wis. He is also a veterinarian and owner of Gaska Dairy Health Services S.C. In 2010, Gaska received the Excellence in Preventive Medicine Award from the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. Jeremy Natzke is a herdsman at Wayside Dairy in Greenleaf, Wis., a partnership that also includes Jeremy’s father, Dan, and his cousin Paul. They milk 1,750 cows, raise 1,450 heifers and crop 2,700 acres of corn, alfalfa and wheat. HANDS-ON LAB: Is She Pregnant? (Two-hour session) This two-hour wet lab is hands-on experience with the new IDEXX Visual Read Pregnancy Test becoming popular on dairy fa r m s . D r. Paul Fricke will provide Paul Fricke thorough training and answers to three key questions: 1) How does an ELISA test work? 2) What are pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs)? And 3) How can I best

use PAG testing for reproductive management? To put your hands on the latest technology for a reproductive-management program, this is your chance. CEU: 2.4 UW-SVM; 2 ARPAS Dr. Paul Fricke is a professor of dairy science at UW-Madison. His research focuses on understanding the biology underlying reproductive problems in dairy cattle. The Fab Four: Understanding and Protecting Your Milk Check There are four prices that determine a milk check. Mary Ledman will break down eve r y t h i n g you need to know about a milk check and the best strategies for p ro te c t i n g Mary Ledman your price, including creative price-risk-management strategies beyond the traditional methods. Attend to learn how to protect what you produce. CEU: 1.2 UW-SVM; 1 PD CCA Mary Ledman is founder of Keough Ledman Associates, a dairy economic-consulting firm that provides dairy-product and milk-price forecasting, economic and policy analysis, dairy-product and milk-sourcing strategies, and domestic and international dairy-market information. Can You Hear Me Now? Communicating About Food in a Hyper World There’s no shortage of food and nutrition information in the news, on blogs or on Twitter. See SESSIONS, PAGE 7

February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line 7

Sessions Continued from page 6

Hyper communication about food seems to be burning out co n s u m e rs with conflicting messages. RegisCarolyn O’Neil tered dietitian and award-winning journalist Carolyn O’Neil explains why the need for effective, accurate communication and education is more important than ever. Here’s one dietitian who wants your message to be heard, and she will provide guidance for telling dairy’s nutrition story effectively. CEU: 1.2 UW-SVM; 1 ARPAS; 1 PD CCA Carolyn O’Neil is a registered dietitian, writer, author and nutrition advisor to BestFoodFacts.org. She has covered food, nutrition and cuisine for CNN and is now at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She is a passionate nutrition

communicator focused on helping others make informed and inspired decisions on what to eat for optimal health. Got Conflict? Be a Bridge Builder Loss of time, money, production, efficiency, creativity and morale are the costs of unresolved conflict. Has your team made needless mistakes, distracted and upset others, or lost interest in their work? There are proven strategies for resolving conflict. Becky Stewart-Gross will share the myths about a n ge r a n d conflict, and o f fe r f ive Becky Stewartstyles of Gross handling conflict in the way that is best for you. You’ll leave with more confidence in handling difficult, stressful situations ahead. CEU: 1.2 UW-SVM; 1 PD CCA Becky Stewart-Gross, president of Building Bridges Se m i n a rs , o f fe rs c u s t o m

leadership and sales training. She works with leaders from family-owned businesses to international corporations. She and her husband co-authored “Sleeping with Your Business Partner: A Communication Toolkit for Couples in Business Together.” Pass It On: Generational Farm Transfers that Work Hear the stories of two farm families who have been able to keep their dairy farms in the family for multiple generations. Learn what worked well, including strategies for involving and working alongside family members. With Melissa O’Rourke a t t o r n e y Melissa O’Rourke moderating, you’ll take home suggestions and resources that will put you on the Lee Maassen pa t h to a

successful farm transfer. CEU: 1.2 UW-SVM Melissa O’Rourke is a farm and agribusiness Dennis and Barb management specialist and Mashek attorney for Iowa State University-Extension and Outreach. She provides business planning and legal advice to the farm and agribusiness communities. Lee and Emily Maassen have a 700-cow dairy farm in Maurice, Iowa. They are partners with sons Aaron, Adam and Stefan. Lee is past president of the Western Iowa Dairy Alliance. Dennis and Barb Mashek run the 160-cow Hilltop Acres Farm near Calmar, Iowa. Their herd is known worldwide for its Brown Swiss genetics. Their children will be the seventh generation involved in the family business. They earned the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award for the state of Iowa in 2012.

2015 Youth Leadership Derby High school students – ready for an amazing weekend? Want to Dive-In, Dissect and Discover Dairy? How about a chance to meet Greg Peterson? He and his brothers are known for their agriculture music parodies on YouTube. Join PDPW for a two-day overnight educational experience at the 2015 Youth Leadership Derby, to be held April 18-19 in Waupun, Wis. The derby is for high school students who want to dive into

the dairy and agriculture industry, the food-science field and/or the manufacturing field. With hands-on, on-farm lab dissection and exposure to the industry’s leading advocates and college mentors, attendees will discover the careers the dairy industry offers. They will grow leadership, communication, technical and life skills. Top Reasons to Attend: • ‌E xplore more than 20 dynamic agricultural, science

and dairy industry careers. • ‌Dissect alongside veterinarians and dairy experts at Hilltop Dairy. • ‌Dig into sessions from sire selection, seed technology, social media advocacy, dairy food science and more. Be inspired by world-class keynote speakers: • ‌YouTube Sensation Greg Peterson, from the Peterson Farm Brothers music parodies, and • ‌The energetic and engaging

Eddie Slowikowski, who represented the USA at the 1987 Pan Am games and 1990 USA Track and Field Team in London England, and who held the fastest college indoor mile record – 3 minutes 58 seconds – in the nation in 1990. Connect and have fun with students with similar interests, and take the next step toward school and career goals. Contact PDPW at 800-9477379 or mail@pdpw.org for more information.

8 February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line Keeping you clean and dry since 1994!

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For anyone who thinks attending the 2015 PDPW Business Conference is a cushy day off the farm, think again. Three hands-on labs will offer the opportunity to dive into the science that has led to current dairy practices. The hands-on labs are a new addition to the conference. In addition to thought-provoking speakers and networking opportunities, the business c o n fe re n c e o f fe rs t h e s e hands-on workshops for the farmers who learn by doing. The labs will provide a deeper understanding of the “why” behind the advice experts give dairy producers. The three lab experiences offered are: • ‌“ The Anatomy of the Dairy Cow Udder” Dr. Peter Vanderloo and Dr. Keith Poulsen of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will offer an inside look at the bovine udder in order to provide understanding of the “whys” behind dairy-cow care. This session will connect the dots between anatomy, physiology and every-

day management. • ‌“All Hoofs on Deck” Gerard Cramer will focus on how to treat lame cows – everything from the basics of treating foot lesions to techniques for therapeutic trimming and blocking. Participants will use real equipment to practice skills taught in the session. • ‌“Is She Pregnant?” This two-hour lab will feature the latest technology for reproductive management — technology that is becoming more popular on dairy farms. Dr. Paul Fricke of the University of Wisconsin-Madison will help participants experience the new IDEXX Visual Read Pregnancy Test and learn how such testing can improve reproductive management. More opportunities for hands-on interaction will take place in the Hall of Ideas and Equipment Show, where exhibitors will offer opportunities to see and touch new products and ideas. For more information, visit www.pdpw.org or call 800947-7379.

10 February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line

Learning Lounges Day 1

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Visit our exhibit at the PDPW Business Conference trade show. See the ComfortBrush on display and operating. Innovator and manufacturer of the

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Beware decisions based on low milk prices Steve Schwoerer, Dairy Lending Specialist at Badgerland Financial and PDPW Board Member

The saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;what goes up must come down,â&#x20AC;? holds true not only for gravity but also for the market. In this case Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m talking about milk prices. After a record year in 2014, those impressive milk prices have fallen off considerably and are predicted to remain low throughout 2015. The first question I typically hear from the dairy farmers I work with is this; â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t guarantee enough income, where can I cut costs?â&#x20AC;? My response remains consistent; â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you are efficient managing your dairy business, there should not be many costs you can cut.â&#x20AC;? I would like to think dairy farmers look at costs and aim to be just

as efficient when milk is $24 per hundredweight or $15 cwt. No one wants to have any more costs than necessary. While we have seen some input costs such as fuel and some feed go down recently, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s certainly not at the same rate as the income decrease based on milk prices. That being said, when we look at costs it is important to concentrate on those that have the most impact on the bottom line. Following are some things to keep in mind. Feed costs: Feed is a large expense to a dairy. No matter the milk price, aim to feed cows a ration that is at optimum efficiency for cost and production. While it is true you can cut costs drastically by

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12 February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line

CEU credits available at PDPW Business Conference Certain pre-conference and specialty sessions have been approved by the University of Wisconsin-School of Veterinary Medicine for Continuing Education Units — CEUs. The school is an accredited continuing-veterinary medical-education provider. Participants should be

Milk Continued from page 11

cutting the feed bill, what will it do to milk production? The dairy herd needs to be at maximum production all the time because milk prices will increase again; when they do you

aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/ or restrictions on certain methods of delivery. Some sessions of the 2015 PDPW Business Conference have been pre-approved by the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists for Continuing-Education Units. The registry is the organization that provides certification of animal scientists

need to be in a position to take advantage of higher prices with maximum production. Long story short – cutting feed costs might actually make cash flow even worse. Labor costs: It is easy to decrease labor costs by letting people go or cutting back hours, but like feed costs, consider the

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through examination, continuing education and commitment to a code of ethics. Participants should know that limitations and restrictions apply to the number of CEU credits that can be obtained. Select sessions at the PDPW Business Conference have been pre-approved by Certified Crop Adviser for

Continuing-Education Credits. The Certified Crop Adviser Program is one of the professional certification programs offered by the American Society of Agronomy. See www.certifiedcropadviser. org for more information.

effects. A short-term solution might have long-lasting consequences, especially if the remaining workers are over-worked and potentially unhappy. Veterinary and breeding: Breeding expenses can easily be reduced by using cheaper bulls, but is the short-term, reduced cost worth risking the future quality of the herd? You can also limit veterinary calls, but what effect will that have on the overall health of the herd? Fertilizer, Seed, Chemicals: Total costs can be greatly decreased by reducing the amount of chemicals and fertilizer applied on the crops, as well as buying lower-cost and possibly lower-quality seed. However, consider the impact if lower costs lead to lower yields. You might have noticed a theme here. While all the examples I’ve given are areas in which you could potentially cut costs in the short term, they could have significant impact for your dairy in the longterm. Is it worth risking the longterm profitability and health of the dairy herd? Instead, it is important to consider cost-conscious financial strategies when milk prices decrease and cash flow is tight. Loan payments: Look at all your loans and determine how long each loan is amortized. If you have a heavy loan payment, ask your

lender to reduce the principle and interest payment to a more reasonable level. A $10,000 reduction in monthly payments is the same as receiving more for your milk. Perhaps some loans can be consolidated to reduce payments. Repairs: In a low milk-price year, only make necessary repairs to machinery and buildings and nothing more. In a better-cashflow year, more extensive repairs can be, and should be, made. Limit capital purchases: While it is important to replace some capital items each year, during low milk prices prioritize the items that need to be replaced versus items you would like to replace. Is it a want or a need? Overall, the main point I want to convey is to not make drastic decisions on your dairy farm when milk prices go down. While there are no easy answers when milk prices drop as much as they have, maintain the same practices that have made your dairy successful in the past. Continue to keep as your main priorities the long-term profitability, production and health of your dairy herd. And make sure you are at optimum efficiency to take advantage of higher milk prices when they bounce back, which we all hope will be sooner rather than later.

14 February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line

K ELLER ST RU CT U R E , I NC ; 4 X 4 .5; B L AC K; 2 2 862 91; FEBRUARY

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February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line 15

Transition Cow Conference coming Exceptional attention to details in a transition-cow program is the difference between surviving in the dairy business and a dairy business thriving. Take a day to fine-tune some transition-cow knowledge. Gather new insight to apply immediately. It’s the Transition Cow Conference, April 7-9 in Appleton, Fennimore and Eau Claire, Wis. PDPW has gathered the industry’s dream team on transition-cow research and knowledge, making this of high importance for those in the business of dairy farming. The one-day workshop is designed to help take cow-management skills from excellent to exceptional. It’s for dairy cow experts pursuing the latest research, insight and techniques to further transition-cow-management abilities. Who should come? Dairy

owners and herdspersons responsible for the transition cows, dairy veterinarians and professional dairy nutritionists should all attend. The PDPW Transition Cow Conference will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in three locations: • ‌April 7 at the Fox Valley Technical College, D.J. Bordini Center, 5 N. Systems Drive, Appleton, Wis. • ‌April 8 at the Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, Wis. • ‌April 9 at the Sleep Inn and Suites Conference Center, 5872 3rd Ave., Eau Claire, Wis. The conference is under review by the University of Wisconsin-School of Veterinary Medicine to determine if veterinarians will receive CEUs at the conference. More information will be available in the coming weeks.

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Meetings focus on cows, people, sun and air Community leaders, elected officials, conservation officials and livestock producers will gather this month for learning and dialogue about the issues facing rural communities. Meetings will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 24 at Glacier Canyon Lodge, 45 Hillman Road, Baraboo, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, 2040 Airport Drive, Green Bay. Anyone with an interest in how modern agriculture fits into local communities is invited to attend. The meetings are part of the Agriculture Community Engagement partnership, a joint effort of the Wisconsin Towns Association, the Wisconsin Counties Association and Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin. The theme — “Cows + People

+ Sun + Air = ?” — is intended to create dialogue aimed at helping rural communities find answers to key questions involving shared resources. Presenters include:‌ • ‌J‌eff Endres is a Wisconsin dairy farmer who is active in the Yahara Pride watershed project — an ongoing partnership between dairy farmers, neighbors and researchers — that aims to discover the best ways to manage agricultural practices, utilize the state’s natural resources and account for soil nutrients that once were lost. • ‌Tucker ‌ Burch, research hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, leads the risk-assessment portion of Wisconsin’s nutrient-irrigation study. He walks fields, studies air and water quality, and will lead a

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Meetings focus on cows, people, sun and air discussion about what is best for the environment in rural communities. • ‌Brenda Murphy, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, will depict the impact Wisconsin’s dairy industry has on rural communities and on Wisconsin as a whole. • ‌Sgt. ‌, Mike Klingenberg Wisconsin State Patrol, and ‌Rob Richard, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, will share the current status of legislation gove r n i n g a g r i c u l t u ra l

equipment on roads and how these new regulations affect town and county road systems. • ‌Secretary ‌, Ben Brancel Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, will balance challenges and opportunities at the state level with the challenges and opportunities for rural communities.‌ Visit www.pdpw.org or contact the Wisconsin Towns Association at 715-526-3157 for more information.‌

Defenders of Choice Since 1982 We support your freedom to choose where to buy prescription products. ANIMART has over 8,000 dairy specific products; thus, broader than most local sources and more dairy specific than national suppliers. Per er the American V Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Code of veterinarians shall honor a client’s request for a prescription Ethics, v in lieu of dispensing. Stop by our PDPW tradeshow booth to learn more because everyone should have the freedom to choose.

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18 February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line

Three PDPW board positions: five candidates PDPW takes pride in being a producer-led organization that raises the bar for education, takes the lead on connecting the dots on key issues, helps prepare the next generation, and builds a grassroots network to help dairy producers succeed. The individuals who sit on the PDPW Board of Directors are key to the organization’s success because they help identify industry needs and take leadership to the next level. PDPW’s nominating committee has identified five individuals as candidates for the three positions open on the PDPW Board of Directors. * Sherry Arnold, Barron, Wis.; * Jay Heeg, Colby, Wis.; * Gary Janssen, Wauconda, Ill.;

* Dan Scheider, Freeport, Ill.; and * Linda White, Reedsburg, Wis. White is an incumbent who has served one three-year term and qualifies for a second threeyear term. PDPW bylaws allow one vote per dairy-farm membership. Because the Board of Directors has three available positions, each PDPW dairy-farm member can vote for up to three individuals. Ballots can be cast in one of two manners: 1) at PDPW’s Business Conference, March 18-19, in Madison or 2) mail a marked ballot to PDPW. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Monday, March 2. All votes will be kept confidential and will be counted by

the PDPW ballot clerks at the 2015 Business Conference. Ballots will be available at the Business Conference. All votes must be cast by 1 p.m. March 19. Candidates vying for a position on PDPW’s Board of Directors:‌ Linda ‌ White, her husband, J e r r y, a n d their sons Nathan and Ryan own and operate Kinnamon Ridge D a i r y . Located near Reedsburg, Linda White Wis., the dairy started with 50 cows. They now have 700 cows and crop approximately 1,000 acres. White chaired her township’s

strategic planning committee, was a member of the Sauk County strategic planning committee and led successful efforts to write a county manure ordinance that is workable for farmers. White is currently chair of the Sauk County Board of Adjustments. In addition to working on the family dairy, White returned to school and, in 2001, earned her bachelor’s degree in organizational management.‌ ‌Dan Scheider is a fifth-generation dairy farmer who lives in Freeport, Ill. Along with his parents, Doug and Trish Scheider, he owns and operates Scheidairy, which has 650 milk cows and crops 1,100 acres of corn and alfalfa. The sixth See BOARD, PAGE 19

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February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line 19

Board Continued from page 18

generation is being raised on the farm; the Scheiders have two small children. Before returning to farming, Scheider spent three years in agricultural and business banking in north-central Wisconsin. Scheider serves on the Stephenson County Board Dan Scheider of Health, the County Farm Bureau Board and the Missions Endowment Fund Committee at his church. Additional experience includes having served on the community college strategic planning task force.‌ Gary ‌ Janssen is senior

genetics consultant for Golden Oaks Farm in Wauconda, Ill.; he has 700 milk cows and raises 700 young stock. Before taking on his current position, Janssen, who has been with Golden Oaks Farm for 25 years, served as general manager of the dairy. Janssen cut his industry teeth working for the Holstein Association a s we l l a s managing several registered dairies in New York before movGary Janssen ing to Illinois. Janssen is wrapping up six years on the Illinois Holstein Association board, serving four years on the Executive Board. He is also a first-term director of the Red & See BOARD, PAGE 20

PIPPIN G C ON CRE TE ; 2 X 4 .5; C OLOR; 22 86301; F EBRUARY

20 February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line “PDPW is ahead of the curve as far as choosing topics that are timely. They do a good job of supporting the entire farm, offering programs and services for everyone from the owner to the employees.” — Peter Mlsna, Ocooch Dairy, Hillsboro, Wis.

Sessions Continued from page 19

AGROM AT I C - A . F. K L I NZI NG C O. ; 2 X 9.4 375; C O LO R ; 2 2 862 8 8; F E B

White Dairy Cattle Association. He and his wife of 43 years have two sons who are involved in the dairy business, a daughter and five grandsons.‌ Jay ‌ Heeg owns and operates Heeg Brothers Dairy LLC, along with his brothers Mark and Gary. Heeg’s primary role is dairy manager and Jay Heeg h u m a n - re source manager of the Colby, Wis., dairy, which has 990 Holstein cows. The dairy raises all its heifers and employs 20 fulltime workers. Heeg Brothers also crops 2,500 acres of corn and alfalfa. A graduate of UW-River Falls with a bachelor’s degree in broad area agriculture and a minor in animal science, Heeg

worked for Babson Brothers Company, the parent company of Surge milking equipment, before returning to the farm in 1999. Active members of their church, Heeg and his wife, Cheryl, have two young children.‌ Sherry ‌ Arnold is co-owner of Busse’s Barron Acres, a custom calf ranch located near Barron, Wis. Busse’s Barron Acres raises about 5,400 calves for 12 dairies. In addition to overseeing 25 employees and handling Sherry Arnold all record keeping activities, Arnold is responsible for the care of newborn calves in the huts and post-weaning. Arnold shares Walt Disney’s philosophy, “Get a good idea and stay with it. Work at it until it’s done and done right.” Arnold and her husband, Jeffrey, who works for the State Patrol, have three grown children.‌

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UW-River Falls Dairy Club: Top honors

Un ive rs i ty o f Wi sco n sin-River Falls Dairy Club students took top honors at the Midwest Regional American Dairy Science Association-Student Affiliate Division Conference held Jan. 30-Feb. 1 in Wisconsin Dells. UW-River Falls competed in both the junior and senior divisions of a quiz bowl, with the team defending its title in the senior division and taking home the championship for the third year in a row. Senior-team members were Paige Roberts, New London, Minnesota; Taylor Wittmus, Valders, Wisconsin; Eric Zwiefelhofer, Bloomer, Wisconsin; and Morgan Kittell, Burnett, Wisconsin. They defeated Iowa State University

in the semi-finals and Michigan State University in the finals. Junior-team members were Cierra Essock, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin; Bradley Rostad, Zumbrota, Minnesota; Eryn Orth, Winona, Minnesota; and Sierra Solum, Rice Lake, Wisconsin.‌ Forty-eight members of the Dairy Club attended the conference, accompanied by Sylvia Kehoe, professor of animal science. More than 400 students from 12 universities around the region attended. As is tradition, the group toured dairy farms while traveling to the conference. This year they visited Miltrim Dairy, Athens, Wisconsin, a 2,000-cow operation and the home of UW-River Falls senior David Trimner.

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UW-River Falls Dairy Club: Top honors They also visited Rosedale Genetics, Oxford, Wisconsin, a farm with 60 cows of mostly Blackrose and Redroad genetics.â&#x20AC;&#x152;

Left to right are winning UW-River Falls Dairy Club team members: Paige Roberts,New London; Taylor Wittmus, Valders; Eric Zwiefelhofer, Bloomer; Carrie Warmka, the 2014 organization president; and Morgan Kittell, Burnett.

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Moving dairy cows takes strategy, patience ANDREA JOHNSON Minnesota Farm Guide‌

When Chris Buck gave his Jan. 12 report, he said it was just about time to move cattle again. Every month to six weeks, a crew of four or five men – Chris, David, DJ, Sam and Harold – need a full day to move 150 to 200 cattle. “We start with the oldest, then we get them done and just work our way down and keep moving them,” Buck said. “Hopefully we have enough people around so we can sort in one barn and move at the same time.” They start by moving the close-up bred heifers, housed a quarter mile down the road at DJ’s place, to the maternity pen on the main farm.

Chris Buck provides dairy reports from Bucks Unlimited, located near Goodhue, Minnesota.

This opens up space so that bred heifers are moved to the emptied shed at DJ’s. Younger heifers move to the breeding pens located in the monoslope shed.

As a result of moving the heifers to the breeding area, there is room for older baby calves to move from the main farm to a farm site located just across the road.

This opens up room in the main farm’s calf hoop barn for calves that are newly weaned, or that will soon be weaned from milk. In turn, there is room in the baby calf barn for more newborns. Added to the moving mix are dry cows ahead of freshening and finishing steers. Bucks Unlimited built a monoslope barn in 2014 for heifers that have reached breeding weight and age. They also built a hoop barn for newly weaned calves. The new barns have reduced the workload because previously, the cattle were sheltered on several farm sites throughout the county. Now, most of the cattle remain within a quarter mile of the main farm.

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“We like the combination at the Business Conference of learning sessions and then networking opportunities between sessions. PDPW is a great way to grow relationships with other farmers who have been where you’re at now and who are at the place that you are headed. You can learn so much more from those farmers than you can from any other source.” — Jim Mlsna, Ocooch Dairy, Hillsboro, Wis.

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Moving dairy cows takes strategy, patience and a full crew When the days are warmer, the Bucks will install permanent fencing that will allow some of the heifers to walk from one pen or lot to the next. In the meantime, the cattle are mostly “trailered” to the next shed. It may seem as though it would be easy to move little calves, but even a little calf soon weighs 200 pounds, so it’s easier to move them via trailer. The largest cattle could weigh more than 1,000 pounds. While one crew moves cattle, another crew handles milking, parlor cleaning and maintenance, feed chores and bedding chores. There had been a lot of calves born in December and early January, the most was 17 calves born in 36 hours. “We have slowed down a little bit,” Buck said. “We’re still having two or three per day, but we’re not having eight or nine per day.” The veterinarian comes out

every two weeks to conduct pregnancy checks. The Bucks were having good success with heifers and cows settling in early January to produce calves next September or October. Buck added that he was working on the farm program signups, while his dad, David, worked on bookkeeping and taxes. In early January, the dairy operation inventoried everything for their balance sheets. “The feed is pretty close to where we were last year, so we should be okay,” he said. “If we can find something that is a good deal – that will replace and will stretch our other feed – we’ll try to take advantage of it, whether it’s wet Distiller’s, corn gluten, or something like that.” While it’s still winter, dairy farmers across Minnesota are looking ahead to Memorial Day weekend and the start of the 2015 hay harvest. Hopefully, the alfalfa went into dormancy well and will be ready to grow in a few months.‌

28 February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line

Shrine award applications due March 15 Denmark, Wisconsin – National Dairy Shrine is again seeking nominations for its most prestigious awards: Guest of Honor, Pioneer, Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder, Progressive Dairy Manager and Graduate Production Award. The Guest of Honor is given to a contemporary dairy leader for outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the dairy industry. It has been awarded every year since 1949 when Dean H. Kildee was named the first Guest of Honor. Each year, three to four living or deceased pioneers of the dairy industry are honored by National Dairy Shrine for their service and leadership in the dairy industry. The Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder is an award that recognizes active, progressive dairy

producers who, through their expertise in managing a dairy breeding herd based upon sound genetics and business principles, serve as a model of success for fellow breeders throughout the country. All these award winners’ accomplishments are on permanent display in the National Dairy Hall of Fame at the National Dairy Shrine Museum in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. One of National Dairy Shrine’s newer awards, the Progressive Dairy Manager Grant, is given to producers ages 21 to 50 who have introduced and applied effective management and business practices that help achieve more profitable dairy businesses, as well as contributing leadership to dairy organizations. Two $2,000

grants for education and travel are given annually, one for herd sizes with 300 milk cows or less and a second for herds with more than 300 milk cows. The Graduate Dairy Production Award recognizes and assists qualified two-year and four-year agricultural-college graduates with their efforts to pursue a career in commercial dairy farming and to gain ownership of dairy cattle with the intent of growing their dairy herd. The applicant must be employed in a herd-management role on a commercial dairy when completing the award application. The winner will receive a $2,500 award from National Dairy Shrine, with sponsorship aid from Elanco. Nominations or applications must be submitted on official

forms by March 15. Visit www. dairyshrine.org and click on “Adult Awards” to view a complete listing of each award form, and then download the application for the respective award desired. The annual National Dairy Shrine awards banquet will be held Oct. 1 in Madison, Wisconsin. Contact the National Dairy Shrine Office at info@dairyshrine.org for more information about the banquet. Visit www. dairyshrine.org for National Dairy Shrine membership information. Dairy enthusiasts are encouraged to become a part of this important organization to help honor our heritage, inspire future leaders and promote the dairy industry.

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TWO DAYS. TWO PROG R A M S. U N L I M I T E D GROWTH POTENTIAL The academy offers two different courses, each focusing on a different suite of communication and leadership skills. Both programs culminate in putting concepts into practice while networking at the PDPW Business Conference. DAY 1 OPTION 1: INFLUENTIAL LEADERSHIP “Leadership, Interaction See ACADEMY, PAGE 30

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30 February 2015 • PDPW • Dairy’s Bottom Line

AgStar Technoledge Conference

™

February 25 & 26, 2015 Minneapolis Convention Center With hotel accommodations at the Minneapolis Hilton Hotel

Learn how to determine what technology holds the most potential for your operation. You want to integrate more technology into your operations, but with all of the information out there, you need a partner in the decision-making process. That is why AgStar is offering Technoledge, a new conference with topics ranging from iPad applications to robotic milkers.

Find out more and register at

AgStarTechnoledge.com or call 866-577-1831

Come learn about me

Academy Continued from page 29

and Influence” Success in today’s workplace requires an ability to interact with others to solve complex problems. Today’s employers are seeking employees with “soft skills” – the entire suite of skills related to personality, social skills, communication abilities and aptitudes. Sessions cover leadership; teamwork skills; communicating with different generations, personalities and leadership styles; conflict resolution; business etiquette; and professionalism. This session of the academy is an accredited training program with the University of Wisconsin-School of Veterinary Medicine; veterinarians may receive up to 8.7 Continuing Education Credits for the training.

OPTION 2: VISIONARY LEADERS “Business Ethics, Leadership and Outlook” Good leadership is ethical leadership. Discover who you are as a leader and identify which of your character strengths can positively influence others to succeed in business. Then take those strengths and weave them with the mega forces and trends of agriculture as presented by Dr. David Kohl. You’ll discover how to be an impact player who leads others through a turbulent, changing global economy. This session of the academy is an accredited training program with the University of Wisconsin-School of Veterinary Medicine; veterinarians may receive up to 9.0 CEUs for the training. DAY 2 – Both programs are offered. Contact PDPW at 800-9477379 or mail@pdpw.org for more information.

“The Business Conference is a must-attend event each year. It’s a chance to get away, to be with people you only see once a year, and it’s a chance to learn from some of the greatest experts in the dairy industry.” — Josh Meissner, Norm-E-Lane Farm Inc., Chili, Wis.