Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference set for Dubuque June 14 and 15

The 2017 4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference is fast approaching on June 14-15 at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa. The conference will present the latest research on nutrition and management.

The program starts on June 14 with the Diamond V pre-conference symposium. Speakers will discuss feeding and managing a herd for 35,000 pounds of milk.

Four State conference speakers include Richard Erdman, University of Maryland, discussing DCAD for lactating cows. Paul Kononoff, University of Nebraska, will talk about the importance of water and Bill Weiss, Ohio State University, will show his latest research on using TMR sampling to trouble shoot herds.

Nigel Cook, University of Wisconsin, will discuss how to prevent lameness in dairy herds and new ways to effectively ventilate dairy barns. Karl Burgi, Dairyland Hoof Care Institue will explain the fundamentals for good hoof health. Pamela Ruegg will share the results of a survey on bedding choice, udder health and production on Wisconsin farms.

Select breakout topics include:
- Are all clays equal? Clay utilization in dairy cow diets.
- Amino acids; Roles beyond being the precursers for protein synthesis.
- Mycotoxins in dairy cattle; Who, What and Why.
- Producing more milk using more high quality forages.
- Feeding and management on top producing herds in Minnesota.
- Feeding to minimize lameness.
- Can we feed by-products with confidence?
- Incorporating pen and feed variation into diet formulation.

The post-conference symposium sponsored by Mycogen seeds will include Barry Bradford, Kansas State, discussing uNDF, Greg Roth, Penn State University, talking about silage hybrid selection and Kathleen Emery, Mycogen seeds, discussing using CornPicker to economically evaluate silage hybrids.

In addition to the educational program, there is a trade show with 50 companies exhibiting their latest products, evening receptions and plenty of time to network with other participants. ARPAS and veterinary CEU credits are available (contact your state veterinary certifying agency).

For more information and to register for the conference, visit http://z.umn.edu/4state or contact Wisconsin Agri-Service Association, 608-223-1111, or Jim Salfer at salfe001@umn.edu or 320-203-6093. The conference registration fee increases after May 31.