Registration is now open for the 2012 Minnesota Dairy Health Conference, which will be held Tuesday, May 22 through Thursday, May 24 (includes pre-conference date) at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott, 2020 American Blvd. East, Bloomington.

This year's conference agenda is packed with informative presentations from top industry, practice and applied research speakers on health topics including immunity, nutrition, cow comfort, and mastitis.

Attendees can enhance their conference experience by adding one of three practical pre-conference sessions to be held on Tuesday, May 22. Pre-conference topics include:

Registration Open For The Minnesota Dairy Health Conference

-Dairy Stockmanship–Reconnecting the People to the Cows, sponsored by Merck Animal Health

-Lameness in Cattle-Choosing Effective Treatment Options, sponsored by Zinpro Corporation

-Acupuncture in Dairy Practice, University of Minnesota

Conference discussions include presentations on calf immunity; vaccination to control bovine respiratory disease; feeding acidified milk to calves; management of computerized calf milk feeders; designing barns for cow behavior, comfort and health; managing heat stressed dairy cattle; mineral disorders and nutrition for the fresh cow; updates on ceftiofur use and FDA regulations; epidemiology and control of mycoplasma and prototheca mastitis; production and financial updates on robotic milking; pasture and grazing management; changes to drug reside testing for milk; developments and challenges of the organic dairy industry; update on cattle diseases in Minnesota; on-farm pasteurization for colostrum; evaluation of three commercial dry cow mastitis preparations; and results of a pilot study of drug residues in cull dairy cows.

Special room rates of $99/night (plus applicable taxes) are available at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott, 2020 American Blvd East, Bloomington, from Monday, May 21 to Thursday, May 24. Reservations can be made online or by calling 800-228-9290 and refer to the Dairy Health Conference. Reservations must be received by Saturday, April 21 to receive the special rate, or until room block is sold out.

For all the details and registration information, please visit the Minnesota Dairy Health Conference website, http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vetmedce/events/MinnesotaDairyHealth/dairy/mdhc/home.html. Or, contact Veterinary Continuing Education (800-380-8636 or [email protected]).