The program for the Heart of America Dairy Expo, presented by Hiland Dairy Foods, is set for January 23-25 at the Ramada Oasis Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield. The Expo is a regional dairy meeting open to all dairy farmers and allied industry.

The lineup of speakers at the Heart of America Dairy Expo includes National Milk Producers Federation CEO Jim Mulhern, who will address current Farm Bill discussions on dairy policy and the TPP trade agreement.

"We have an outstanding line up of nationally known speakers on dairy coming to our second annual Heart of America Dairy Expo. Kicking off our program on Thursday evening, January 23, at our Early Bird Seminar is National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) CEO Jim Mulhern," says Expo chairman and dairy farmer Larry Purdom of Purdy. "Jim will address current Farm Bill discussions on dairy policy and the ongoing 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement."

Lineup of speakers

Friday's program starts at 9:30 a.m. with "Trouble shooting Mycotoxin and Production Problems at the Farm Level" with Randy Asher of Animal Science Consulting sponsored by Alltech. Following Asher will be Dr. Dan Tracy, DVM MS, Technical Services Veterinarian, Multimin USA, who will speak on "Trace Mineral's Role in Successful Dairy Production".

Friday's Pork Chop Luncheon, sponsored by Hiland Dairy Foods, Missouri Agribusiness Association,  Missouri Pork Association and the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, will feature guest speaker Dr. Adam Lock of Michigan State University with his presentation on "Milk and Dairy Products in a Healthy Diet: Myth and Reality" sponsored by Central Life Sciences, according to Purdom.

After lunch, Dr. Jim Quigley, Technical and Research Manager, Calf & Heifer, Provimi North America, will cover "Formulating Diets for a Moving Target-The Developing Rumen", sponsored by Cargill Animal Nutrition and Vigortone.

Annual meetings are also on the agenda

The Expo program also includes the annual meetings of the Missouri Dairy Association, Missouri Dairy Growth Council, Missouri Holstein Association, Missouri Brown Swiss Association, Missouri Guernsey Breeders Association, Missouri Jersey Cattle Club, Midwest Milking Shorthorn and the Missouri Ayrshire Association, according to Purdom.

Last year the expo drew 400 attendees from 10 states. "We have the largest dairy trade show south of Madison and Sioux Falls," says Dave Drennan, Expo Sales Manager

Registration is free for dairy farmers and their families with a nominal registration fee for allied industry representatives. All dairy farmers and allied industry, regardless of state, are invited to attend.

The Ramada Oasis Hotel and Convention Center offers a convention hall, which will house over 50 dairy exhibits and equipment inside

Meal reservations are requested and may be made by viewing the Expo's website for more details and the complete Expo schedule.

Source: Missouri Dairy Association