2024 Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference
The Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference focuses on profitability, cow care and labor management to prepare producers for dairying in the future! Dairy producers and the dairy industry are facing ever changing challenges. As a result, dairy producers must continue expanding their knowledge and enhancing their networks and GLRDC is ripe with opportunities for dairy producers to engage in this vital learning and networking.
Due to the overwhelming success of last year’s redesigned program, the 22nd annual Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference (GLRDC) will follow a similar format, integrating expert sessions into the exhibit and sponsor hall, along with targeted sessions for herdspersons offered in both English and Spanish. Renowned experts will share a variety of technical and strategic information to help producers improve their bottom line and help ensure they are producing milk decades from now. The 2024 GLRDC will take place Feb. 8-9, 2024, at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
Our team will be attending this year’s conference so be on the lookout for us in Nobis Agri Science gear. We will also have a tradeshow booth so be sure to stop by to learn how our full farm approach can deliver a high performing herd and a profitable business! Our nutrition consulting team will be available if you have any questions.
With extended break times, mealtimes and an evening reception all incorporated into the exhibit area, this year’s conference allows ample networking between producers, expert speakers and industry representatives. In addition to the enhanced networking time, the conference features a mix of longer educational sessions and short presentations by leading industry experts designed to generate dialogue with conference attendees.
Producers will have the opportunity to learn about the following topics throughout the two-day conference:
- Dairy market and policy outlook with Marin Bozic from the University of Minnesota.
- In-depth look at cow health examining the latest transition cow research and real-world examples from experienced veterinarians.
- Practical tips and tactics on ways to leverage technology for improved crop management.
- New approaches to labor management and key factors of employee retention from human resource specialists from Milk Source, Lakeview Farms and Alltech.
- A look at nutrition now and into the future, focused on forages and the evolution of feeding ruminal microbes to support cow health through improved nutrition.
- The latest in reproduction with Paul Fricke from the University of Wisconsin.
- Taking a forward look at sustainability and how it will impact you.
- Updates from MSU on antibiotic usage, manure management and the new dairy.
- An exploration into farm management and profitability with Sarina Sharp from Dairy Today and Jason Karszes from Cornell University.
- The factors impacting passive immunity and gut health in calves.
- How to incorporate precision monitoring to deploy prevention and treatment protocols earlier to improve cow health and save money.
- Strategies to avoid mistakes in dairy farm succession planning.
- Learn about opportunities for individual on-farm solar, without utilizing fields with our sponsored session by Solar by Alamo Valley Ag.
On Thursday evening, producers can also attend the free herdsperson sessions, offered in both English and Spanish, covering cattle movement, communication, maternity care and more.
In conjunction with GLRDC, the Michigan Holstein All-Breeds Convention Sale will be held on Friday evening, followed by the Michigan Jersey Cattle Club Annual Meeting and the Michigan Holstein Association Annual meeting on Saturday, Feb. 10.
Adult, student and farm registration options are available. Producers should have their state producer number available to register. Registration closes on Jan. 28, 2024 at midnight. On-site registration is subject to availability and at a higher registration rate. For more information, including a detailed copy of the agenda and to register online, visit www.glrdc.org.
