By Charlie Elrod, Ph.D., President, Natural Biologics, Inc., VP, Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance
The Education Committee and PRO-Dairy team have done another great job in putting together an excellent agenda for the 2024 Herd Health and Nutrition Conference in Syracuse, NY on Tuesday, April 9th. As always, the event kicks off with a reception and trade show on Monday evening with a chance to visit with friends and colleagues from the dairy industry.
The program gets going the next morning with Dr. Billy Brown from Kansas State University presenting data on growth performance and carcass characteristics of beef-on-dairy calves who’s dams were supplemented with choline. He will also review the use of novel high protein corn byproducts in calf grain. Dairy Extension Specialists Lindsay Ferlito and Betsy Hicks will then take the podium to present a summary of a USDA APHIS and NY Farm Viability Institute funded study on herd health, record keeping and disease incidence trends in New York State.
Heat stress in New York? Yes, it happens every year and Dr. Jimena Laporta from the University of Wisconsin will discuss her research on the effects of heat stress during gestation on lactation performance of the resulting offspring over generations. Her research has carried this line of questioning to the molecular level to better understand exactly why and how this happens. Following lunch, there will be no way to nap as Dr. John Goeser of Rock River Lab explores the intersection of agronomy, nutrition and herd health. John will discuss how agronomic choices, practices and feed hygiene impact herd health and productivity.
Lastly, no dairy conference is complete without a discussion of the ways the dairy industry can reduce its impact on climate. In this panel discussion, we welcome Karl Czymmek, Dr. Mike Van Amburgh, Greg Albrecht and Meghan Hauser for a lively discussion of dairy cow nutrition and feeding management as a driving force in farm efficiency and reducing environmental impact. They will also discuss New York state programs which foster adoption climate-smart practices as well as the challenges and benefits of adopting them.
If you haven’t yet registered, it’s not too late! Get registered and we’ll see you on April 8 and 9.