By Barry Bradford
Michigan State University (MSU) experts will speak at the 23rd annual Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference (GLRDC). The conference will be held Feb. 6-7, 2025, at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
“GLRDC is crucial for dairy producers, providing them with the latest research, innovative practices and expert insights that will directly impact their operations, and MSU is proud to be involved in this important endeavor,” Barry Bradford, Ph.D., MSU’s Clint Meadows Chair in Dairy Management said. “By attending, producers gain valuable knowledge that helps improve their decision-making, optimize management practices and ultimately could strengthen their bottom line.”
MSU featured speakers include:
- Zelmar Rodriguez, a veterinarian and associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, will be featured on a panel discussion highlighting approaches to biosecurity in the wake of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). In addition to Dr. Rodriguez, the panel will include experts from Texas, Colorado and Michigan to explore practical, realistic and meaningful approaches to biosecurity, and what standards the dairy industry should strive to achieve, utilizing lessons learned during the HPAI outbreaks of 2024.
- Rodriguez will also be hosting a session on dairy health with Jason Lombard, a veterinarian from the University of Colorado. Lombard partners with MSU often, and will be sharing the past, present and future of dairy health and share strategies producers can employ to improve their herd’s health and productivity.
- Bradford will provide an update regarding the new dairy expansion at MSU and will engage attendees in a discussion on how MSU can better support the dairy. During this session, young scientists from MSU will also share their latest dairy research.
- Angel Abuelo, a veterinarian and associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, will share the latest research related to vaccines in cows and calves to improve overall animal health in both the dam and the calf.
- Abuelo will also join other experts to host a free session for herdspersons and dairy managers. The Friday program will feature practical approaches to calf health, monitoring fresh cows, parlor cow flow, work culture and communication, as well as a platform to share challenges and solutions with each other. This free program will be offered in both English and Spanish and will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Additional sessions will look at new management strategies around reproduction, forage management, calf health, fresh cows, crisis management planning, animal welfare and marketing. Other experts will share the latest information regarding the dairy market and a policy outlook, best practices for navigating the dairy economic cycle, as well as the impacts of the current heifer shortage.
“Dairy producers have faced an unprecedented number of challenges the past few years,” shared Bradford. “GLRDC is the perfect opportunity for producers to gather collectively, learn from experts in all segments of the industry and gain vital knowledge that will help them thrive in the coming year.”
Adult, student and farm registration options are available. Producers should have their state producer number available to register at a discounted rate. Registration closes on Jan. 29, 2025 at midnight. On-site registration is subject to availability.
Source : msu.edu