Posted: 09.22.2011

The third annual Grazing Seminars at World Dairy Expo will be on
Friday, October 7, 2011. The all-day seminar series; organized by DATCP, UW
Extension, and industry partners; will feature a range of topics and be
followed by a free reception.
“This annual event brings in speakers from across the country to share
information and new ideas for dairy farmers,” said Laura Paine, DATCP’s
Grazing Specialist. “The free educational seminars offer basic information
for the beginning farmer and new methods and techniques for those involved
in the industry for years.”
The agenda for the grazing events includes:
   10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Training the Next Generation of Dairy Farmers. Joe
   Tomandl III will talk about Wisconsin’s first-in-the-nation Dairy
   Apprentice Program that helps beginning farmers get off to a good start
   with classroom education and a formal on-farm apprenticeship.
   11:15a.m.-12:15 p.m. Outwintering versus Winter Housing – What are the
   Tradeoffs? How much winter housing do you need? Dr. Rhonda Gildersleeve,
   UW Extension Grazing Specialist, will explore the tradeoffs between
   housing, seasonal milking, feed costs, and milk production.
   12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Cross-country Tour de Research: A Roundtable
   Discussion of Grazing Research at U.S. Universities. Here’s your
   opportunity to hear what grazing and organic systems research is being
   done and to provide input and suggestions for future research topics.
   2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Is Grass-fed the Wave of the Future? Market Forecast
   for Organic and Grass-based Dairy. George Siemon, Organic Valley, and
   Chad Pawlak, Grass Point Farms, will discuss the role of value-added
   markets for dairy products and offer a market analysis and forecast.
   3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Free Reception. Opportunity to meet with speakers
   and sponsors for refreshments and conversation.
Seminars will be held in the Mendota 3 Conference Room in the Exhibition
Hall of the World Dairy Expo. The afternoon reception will be held in the
Grazing and Organic Pavilion. Industry partners assisting DATCP and UW
Extension with planning and sponsorship for the day’s events include: CRV,
LIC, Coburn, Geno, Normande Genetics, Fleckveih, Crystal Creek, and Organic
Valley.
“Each seminar will allow time for participants to ask questions and engage
in discussion,” said Rhonda Gildersleeve, UW Extension’s Grazing
Specialist. “The reception is also a great opportunity for farmers to talk
with seminar speakers and share ideas to be more successful and profitable
in the future.”
To find general information on World Dairy Expo, visit
www.world-dairy-expo.com. For more information about the grazing seminars,
contact DATCP’s Laura Paine at 608-224-5120 or laura.paine@wi.gov or visit
http://datcp.wi.gov/Farms/Grazing/Grazing_Events/.

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