The Wisconsin Dairy and Beef Well-Being Conference, slated for March 20-21, will be held in Green Bay. It will feature industry professionals addressing animal handling and well-being topics. This conference offers opportunities for farmers, agricultural professionals and farmworkers.

New for 2018 is a pre-conference on March 20 geared specifically toward dairy workers. Presented simultaneously in English and Spanish, attendees will learn how everyday tasks can influence animal well-being. The pre-conference will cover topics including residue prevention, pain management of dehorning, lameness and carcass quality related to animal handling.

The main conference on March 21 will feature the following presenters:

• Kay Johnson-Smith, president and chief executive officer, Animal Agriculture Alliance

• Aerica Bjurstrom, agriculture agent, University of Wisconsin Extension in Kewaunee County

• Robert Hagevoort, associate professor and Extension dairy specialist, New Mexico State University Agriculture Science Center at Clovis

• Casey Davis, cattle procurement manager, JBS, Green Bay

• Christopher Jacobs, market manager, Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association, Bonduel

• Sheila Harsdorf, Wisconsin secretary of agriculture

The conference will be held at Tundra Lodge Conference Center, 865 Lombardi Avenue, Green Bay. The registration deadline is March 9. One-day registration is $50 per person; discounted rate is $75 per person for both days. Veterinarian continuing education unit credits have been applied for and will be an additional fee of $30. Registrations received after March 9 will be charged a $20 late fee. The conference is National Dairy FARM Program-endorsed and qualifies for two Beef Quality Assurance recertification credits. 

Find the program agenda and registration information online. The program is presented by UW Extension. Gold sponsors include Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association and Dairy Business Association.

For more information on the conference, call Sarah Mills-Lloyd at 920-834-6845 or Aerica Bjurstrom at 920-388-7138.

Source: UW Extension