Knowledge Nook

Located in the atrium of the Exhibition Hall, the Knowledge Nook is a NEW space designed for companies to showcase an innovative product, service or research that was introduced to the market in the past year. There will be five, 45-minute sessions per day beginning at 9:30 a.m. 

The following is the list of 2019 Knowledge Nook sessions and their sponsors as of today. This list will continue to be updated as product launches are confirmed, and new research is proven providing you a front-row seat to the latest the dairy industry has to offer. 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1

10:30 a.m.

Keep Your Animals Moving

Brad Ingram, Midwest Regional Sales Manager, Vettec, Inc.

11:30 a.m.

Growing Your Business for Generations to Come - Are We Shaping the Right Model?

Francisco Rodriguez, Integrated Robotics Manager, DeLaval, Inc.

12:30 p.m.

Labor Issues and Animal Welfare - Are Milking Robots Part of the Solution?

Jouni Pitkäranta, M.Sc., Founder and Board Chairman, 4dBarn

Virpi Kurkela, DVM, Veterinary Specialist, 4dBarn

1:30 p.m.

Essential Microbial Support: Improving Health and Performance with Probiotics

Dr. Mike Hutjens, Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2

9:30 a.m.
Dairyland Seed

Evolution of Hybrid Alfalfa and What's Next

Sara Hendrickson, Forage Leader, Dairyland Seed

Chad Staudinger, Regional Sales Manager, Dairyland Seed

Steve Wagner, Alfalfa Plant Breeder, Corteva Agriscience

10:30 a.m.

Better Haymaking - Greater ROI and Feed Quality for Dairy Operations Through Denser Bales

Jordan Milewski, Crop Preparation Marketing Manager, New Holland

11:30 a.m.

Herd Insights Brought to Life with Augmented Reality

Roxie Muller, Innovation Manager, Nedap Livestock Management

12:30 p.m.

Colostrum for So Many OTHER Reasons

Dr. Rick Dumm, DVM

1:30 p.m.

Managing and Marketing Dairy Crossbreds

Dr. Grant Crawford, Technical Services Manager, Merck Animal Health

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3

9:30 a.m.

Colostrum for So Many OTHER Reasons

Dr. Rick Dumm, DVM

10:30 a.m.

Estrotect Breeding Indicators - A New Reproduction Management Tool

Ky Pohler, PhD, Associate Professor, Texas A&M University

11:30 a.m.

Phixup - An Innovative and Natural Way to Maintain Optimum Ruminal Conditions

Rodrigo Araujo de Souza, PhD, Business Unit Manager North America, Timab Magnesium USA

12:30 p.m.

Starting Calves with Force - Lifetime Health and Production Begin on Day One

Dr. David P. Casper, Technical Services Leader/Dairy Nutritionist, Furst-McNess Company

1:30 p.m.

Acoustic Pulse Technology - Increasing Milk Yield and Treating Mastitis Free of Antibiotics

Dr. Gabriel Leitner, PhD, Chief Science Officer, Armenta

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4

9:30 a.m.

Colostrum for So Many OTHER Reasons

Dr. Rick Dumm, DVM

10:30 a.m.

Starting Calves with Force - Lifetime Health and Production Begin on Day One

Dr. David P. Casper, Technical Services Leader/Dairy Nutritionist, Furst-McNess Company

11:30 a.m.

Microbial Inoculation Improves Silage Aerobic Stability after Short-Term Fermentation: Fact or Fiction?

Dr. Luiz Ferraretto, Associate Professor of Livestock Nutrition, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida

12:30 p.m.

Component Production: Is Your Herd Up to Par

Dr. Hank Spencer, Technical Services Principal, Cargill Animal Nutrition

1:30 p.m.

Managing and Marketing Dairy Crossbreds

Dr. Grant Crawford, Technical Services Manager, Merck Animal Health

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5

9:30 a.m.

Simplified Farm Data Management with UNIFORM

Shawnna Finnerty, Project and Support Manager, North America, UNIFORM-Agri

10:30 a.m.

DeLaval: 360 Degree Interactive Virtual Facility Tours

Jeff Prashaw, AIA, Project Design Manager, DeLaval, Inc.

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1

10:30 a.m.

Keep Your Animals Moving

Brad Ingram, Midwest Regional Sales Manager, Vettec

Bovi-Bond has been an industry leader in lameness prevention for over 20 years. Redesigned packaging, from a 160cc cartridge to a 210cc cartridge, has been introduced. The new cartridge holds 30% more material and is easier to open and dispense. Brad Ingram, Midwest Regional Sales Manager for Vettec, will be discussing the benefits of blocking lame cows and how it relates to milk production and efficiency on a dairy.  He will discuss our blocking adhesive, Bovi-Bond and its chemistry, as well as our rubber blocks and educate on how they provide comfort, support and traction.

Based on many years of hoof care experience, Brad Ingram, Midwest Regional Sales Manager for Vettec, truly understands the importance of proper hoof care regimens and hoof challenges that producers and professionals face. Brad received his Bachelor of Sciences degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was further trained and certified at the Midwestern Hoof Trimming School, having been educated by renown hoof trimmer Aaron LaVoy.

11:30 a.m.

Growing Your Business for Generations to Come, Are We Shaping the Right Model?

Francisco Rodriguez, Integrated Robotics Manager for DeLaval

Are we sharing the right dairy business model for generations to come? It all comes down to one basic concept. Francisco Rodriguez, Integrated Robotics Manager at DeLaval, shares his thoughts on the model. How does yours compare?

Born and raised as a farmer. Grown as a dairy entrepreneur. Educated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Strategic Marketing Specialist with a degree on international business management from the Stockholm School of Economics.

12:30 p.m.

Labor Issues and Animal Welfare - Are Milking Robots Part of the Solution?

Jouni Pitkäranta, M.Sc., Founder and Board Chairman, 4dBarn

Virpi Kurkela, DVM, Veterinary Specialist, 4dBarn

Labor issues are the main reason for milk producers to change from conventional to robotic milking. On the other hand, consumers demand for higher standards in animal welfare. With right kind of decisions made in design phase, an AMS barn can be a place where we can provide the cows with resources for them to use with minimal human interaction/ without people to disturb them too much. That makes robot facilities both work efficient and cow friendly.

Jouni Pitkäranta M.SC (Archit.), is a founder and chairman of the board in 4dBarn, a global leader in AMS facility design. Jouni Pitkäranta was born on a dairy farm and started to make dairy barn drawings at the age of 11. This enthusiasm followed him all his youth and he was graduated from the Helsinki University of Technology in 2006. Before 4dBarn Jouni has worked in his own architecture office as a dairy barn designer. So far Jouni has designed approx. 700 dairy barns. In 4dBarn Jouni is using his architectural skills to create work efficient layouts and gate design, which is absolutely his core competence.

Virpi Kurkela, DVM, is a veterinary specialist in 4dBarn, a global leader in AMS facility design. In her work designing and boosting barns with AMS milking she focuses ensuring excellent animal health and welfare for good production and efficient working. After graduation in 1999, Virpi has also worked as a practicing veterinarian mostly in large animal practice and as a consulting veterinarian for dairy farms in a rural advisory organization. She has a lot of post graduate education and experience especially in udder health management and influence of barn environment and design on health and production of dairy cows, calves and heifers.

1:30 p.m.

Essential Microbial Support: Improving Health and Performance with Probiotics

Dr. Mike Hutjens, Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois

Bovamine Dairy Plus combines four of the most extensively researched animal probiotic strains. The unique combination of strains competes with pathogenic organisms in the digestive tract, including species of Clostridium, Salmonella, and E. coli. Extensive research, notably 62 research trials and 27 peer-reviewed articles conducted on ruminants, has demonstrated that the Bacillus strains in this product specifically inhibit the most critical pathogens. This new combination of bacteria produces enzymes that digest fiber and starch and enhance multiple functions of the intestinal epithelium, including structural integrity, barrier function and absorptive surface area. As an element in the daily diet, Bovamine Dairy Plus minimizes the adverse health event challenge caused by Clostridia before they happen.

Mike Hutjens was raised grade Holstein farm near Green Bay, Wisconsin. His bachelor, masters, and Ph.D. degrees were awarded from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. From 1971 to 1979, Dr. Hutjens was extension dairy specialist at the University of Minnesota. Since 1979, he has been a member of the University of Illinois Animal Sciences Departments as extension dairy specialist.  Mike is a world-renowned speaker, in addition, he writes regular feed columns for Hoard's Dairyman and hosts the Hoard’s Dairy monthly webinars. Mike’s awards are plentiful including recognition by the American Dairy Science Association, Minnesota Board of Regents, World Dairy Expo, IL Farm Bureau Association, National DHI Service Award and many other honorable accomplishments throughout his career.  Mike and his wife Carol reside in Savoy, IL, with their five children and seven grandchildren.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2

9:30 a.m.

Evolution of Hybrid Alfalfa and What's Next

Sara Hendrickson, Forage Leader, Dairyland Seed

Chad Staudinger, Regional Sales Manager, Dairyland Seed

Steve Wagner, Alfalfa Plant Breeder, Corteva Agriscience

Hybrid alfalfa technology can offer unparalleled success to forage and dairy farmers looking for more milk from every acre. Join this session to learn how HybriForce-4400, a fourth-generation hybrid alfalfa and the latest innovation in alfalfa breeding, was created to deliver outstanding yield potential in a wide variety of environments. A pan of industry experts and producers will share how hybrid alfalfa technology has evolved, the difference between hybrid and conventional seeds, experiences with the HybriForce portfolio and how this technology continues to deliver profits to the producers' bottom line.

Sara Hendrickson is the forage leader for Dairyland Seed where she helps to develop and maintain existing on-farm product testing programs and coordinates the implementation of a strategy to stimulate interest in Dairyland Seed’s forage products. Hendrickson holds a bachelor’s degree in dairy science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Chad Staudinger, regional sales manager for Dairyland Seed, works directly with district managers, dealers and customers in Wisconsin. Formerly the forage product manager, Staudinger has worked extensively with Dairyland Seed’s on-farm alfalfa strip trial program. He holds a bachelor’s degree in dairy science with a focus on dairy nutrition from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Steve Wagner is an alfalfa plant breeder at Corteva Agriscience in West Salem, Wisconsin. Wagner has been instrumental in advancing the hybrid alfalfa breeding system for Dairyland Seed and expanding alfalfa research and testing. Wagner holds a master’s degree in plant breeding and genetics from the University of Minnesota-St. Paul.

10:30 a.m.

Better Haymaking - Greater ROI and Feed Quality for Dairy Operations Through Denser Bales

Jordan Milewski, Crop Preparation Marketing Manager, New Holland

A recent study conducted by Penn State University confirms round bale density leads to improved cattle nutrition and producer return on investment. New Holland crop preparation marketing manager Jordan Milewski will share how denser bales and other hay and forage best practices equate to higher feed quality, efficiency gains and a greater ROI on your dairy operation. 

Jordan Milewski has for over 15 years of industry experience in a variety of roles, including product support, engineering, and territory sales manager. Milewski has been with the New Holland brand since 2010, and he currently manages sickle mower-conditioner, disc mower-conditioner, and self-propelled windrower marketing for North America. Specifically, he develops materials to help educate customers and dealers about the hay and forage product lines. He is a graduate of the State University of New York, Cobleskill with a Bachelor of Technology degree in agriculture engineering.  

11:30 a.m.

Herd Insights Brought to Life with Augmented Reality

Mr. Roxie Muller, Innovation Manager, Nedap Livestock Management

With a growing need to feed the world, herd sizes and the level of technology implemented are rapidly increasing, resulting in an overload of data. In this session, Mr. Roxie Muller shares Nedap's vision on technology and shows how the use of futuristic technologies, like augmented reality, from Nedap CowControl and other systems can provide relevant insights. At Nedap, the company strives to provide technical solutions much easier for dairyman.

Mr. Roxie Muller is the Innovation Manager at Nedap and has a background in industrial design and engineering. Muller couples his strong passion for technology and drive to do what has never been done before to push product development boundaries that fit Nedap's business philosophy. 

12:30 p.m.

Colostrum for So Many OTHER Reasons

Dr. Rick Dumm, DVM

This year Matilda was introduced to the dairy market. Her sole function in life is to properly remove pathogens from colostrum and then play a central role in how to manage that colostrum from the cows to the calves. Most in the industry understand the importance of immunoglobulins for calf immunity. In this session, we will discuss some of the latest research findings that demonstrate several other key functions of colostrum that are not so well known. More importantly, after learning the WHY, we will briefly discuss HOW managers of all size dairies can return home and implement the strategies learned. Colostrum alternatives will also be discussed and how to choose when to use them.

Dr. Rick has been a practicing dairy veterinarian for 24 years in Colorado. Most recently he has adapted his knowledge about calf rearing into practical tools and protocols that can easily be implemented for success on the farm. In keeping with the tradition of boots mixed with books, he manages his own cow/calf outfit and enjoys international travel discussing calf rearing. Weekends in the Rocky Mountains consist of honing horsemanship skills and keeping up with teenagers on the ski slopes.

1:30 p.m.

Managing and Marketing Dairy Crossbreds

Dr. Grant Crawford, Technical Services Manager, Merck Animal Health

Crossbreeding dairy cows with beef genetics has gained a lot of interest recently as dairy producers attempt to add value to calves from lower-producing cows.  As these calves enter growing systems and eventually the feedlot questions arise as to how best manage these cattle.  This session will discuss dairy/beef crossbred management strategies and potentially available markets for these calves.  

Grant Crawford is currently a Technical Services Manager with Merck Animal Health, providing technical support for beef producers, veterinarians, and nutritionists in the Upper Midwest.  Prior to joining Merck Animal Health in 2015, Grant worked as a feed company technical nutritionist for 3 1/2 years and spent five years in beef cattle extension and research at the University of Minnesota.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3

9:30 a.m.

Colostrum for So Many OTHER Reasons

Dr. Rick Dumm, DVM

This year Matilda was introduced to the dairy market. Her sole function in life is to properly remove pathogens from colostrum and then play a central role in how to manage that colostrum from the cows to the calves. Most in the industry understand the importance of immunoglobulins for calf immunity. In this session, we will discuss some of the latest research findings that demonstrate several other key functions of colostrum that are not so well known. More importantly, after learning the WHY, we will briefly discuss HOW managers of all size dairies can return home and implement the strategies learned. Colostrum alternatives will also be discussed and how to choose when to use them.

Dr. Rick has been a practicing dairy veterinarian for 24 years in Colorado. Most recently he has adapted his knowledge about calf rearing into practical tools and protocols that can easily be implemented for success on the farm. In keeping with the tradition of boots mixed with books, he manages his own cow/calf outfit and enjoys international travel discussing calf rearing. Weekends in the Rocky Mountains consist of honing horsemanship skills and keeping up with teenagers on the ski slopes.

10:30 a.m.

Estrotect Breeding Indicators - A New Reproduction Management Tool

Ky Pohler, PHD, Associate Professor, Texas A&M University

ESTROTECT Breeding Indicators are a self-adhesive sticker that you apply halfway between the hip and tailhead of a cow's back. As mounting activity occurs, the indicator's silver and black surface ink - featuring the breeding Bullseye - is rubbed off by the friction of mounting and will reveal one of five indicator colors (red/orange, green, blue, yellow or fuchsia). Once the black Breeding Bullseye, or the equivalent surface area, is rubbed off the animal is considered in standing heat and is ready to breed. But, that's not all. When the Breeding Bullseye is activated, cows are up to 3x more likely to result in confirmed pregnancies. ESTROTECT Breeding Indicators can be used to detect heats, confirm, pregnancies, pinpoint timing for breeding, determine cycling. And, they work well in any breeding program, from artificial insemination to natural service to synchronization protocols.

Dr. Pohler's research was instrumental in the development of the new Estrotect Breeding Indicator. The new Breeding Bullseye is based on Dr. Pohler's patch scoring system that essentially tells when a cow is ready to breed by the amount of the Estrotect surface that is rubbed off. Dr. Pohler will present his research on breeding timing and results based on breeding according to patch scores. 

11:30 a.m.

Phixup - An Innovative and Natural Way to Minimize the Risk of Acidosis

Rodrigo Araujo de Souza, PhD, Business Unit Manager North America, Timab Magnesium USA

Phixup is a unique magnesium formula to maintain optimum ruminal conditions and naturally support performance, productivity, and health in high producing dairy cows. Derived from unique industrial expertise, pHix-up acts directly on the ruminal pH by neutralizing excess acid produced by bacterial fermentation, providing both a fast-acting and long-lasting effect.

Dr. Rodrigo Souza is the Business Unit Manager North America at Timab USA, a company specializing in agricultural and industrial magnesium applications. Dr. Souza has been with Timab USA since 2018 and his practice concentrates on the synergies between animal nutrition and business development. Before joining Timab USA, Dr. Souza pursued his doctoral degree at Michigan State University, where he earned his Ph.D. in animal science with an emphasis in animal science with an emphasis in business management.  As part of his doctorate, he was recognized for his outstanding performance as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Animal Science. Dr. Souza was also a student at Universidade São Paulo, where he earned his master and bachelor’s degree in animal science. While pursuing his masters, Dr. Souza also completed his MBA and worked as a farm manager in São Paulo, Brazil.

12:30 p.m.

Starting Calves with Force - Lifetime Health and Production Begin on Day One

Dr. David P. Casper, Technical Services Leader/Dairy Nutritionist, Furst-McNess Company

McNess Furst ForceTM Calf is an advanced oral drench that kick starts newborn calves while providing the gastro-intestinal support calves needed, especially those that may be at-risk.

Furst Force TM Calf delivers:
1) Three specific strains of probiotic bacteria (B.pumilus, B.subtilis and B.licheniformis) with a concentrated yeast-based fermentation extract that contains many micro-nutrients to support gut health.
2) A specific bolend of pathogen specific antibodies to support health and immunity.
3) Specific organic acids to support digestion and product stability.
4) Purified Beta Glucans and MOS for additional immune boosting gut health benefits.
5) Vegetable fat as an added energy source.
6) Key botanical extracts, essential oils and flavorings to support health and immunity.

Key responses that have been observed included: Improved lean growth, Decreased death loss, Decreased scours, Improved response to treatments, Reduced digestive upsets, Improved calf viability.

Dr. David P. Casper is Technical Services Leader/Dairy Nutritionist with the Furst-McNess Company, Freeport, IL. He grew up on a dairy and livestock farm in Cuba City, WI. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and his Masters and PhD from South Dakota State University. Dr. Casper has published number scientific articles on dairy cattle nutrition, working with calves through lactating dairy cows.

1:30 p.m.

Acoustic Pulse Technology – Increasing Milk Yield and Treating Mastitis Free of Antibiotics

Professor Gabriel Leitner PHD, Chief Science Officer, Armenta

Mastitis cases are known to cost up to $300-400 per case, creating a not only a heavy economic burden on dairy farms worldwide, but also resulting in decreased milk yield, deterioration in milk quality and increased risk of culling. Treatment often involves the use of antibiotics at some point in the lactation, which carries the risk of developing antimicrobial resistance bacteria. Alternative mastitis therapies are needed and desired which has led Armenta to develop an Acoustic Pulse Therapy (APT) device. The APT delivers low power, deep penetrating acoustic pulses distributed over a large treatment area specifically designed for treating dairy cows. Worldwide research showcasing the effectiveness of the Armenta APT device and strategies to incorporate into your on-farm management practices will be discussed.

Prof. Gabriel Leitner, Chief Scientific Officer for Armenta LTD has over 25 year of experience in the field of mastitis with over 150 published articles in the subject. He possesses a deep understanding of the topic and scientific know-how.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4

9:30 a.m.

Colostrum for So Many OTHER Reasons

Dr. Rick Dumm, DVM

This year Matilda was introduced to the dairy market. Her sole function in life is to properly remove pathogens from colostrum and then play a central role in how to manage that colostrum from the cows to the calves. Most in the industry understand the importance of immunoglobulins for calf immunity. In this session, we will discuss some of the latest research findings that demonstrate several other key functions of colostrum that are not so well known. More importantly, after learning the WHY, we will briefly discuss HOW managers of all size dairies can return home and implement the strategies learned. Colostrum alternatives will also be discussed and how to choose when to use them.

Dr. Rick has been a practicing dairy veterinarian for 24 years in Colorado. Most recently he has adapted his knowledge about calf rearing into practical tools and protocols that can easily be implemented for success on the farm. In keeping with the tradition of boots mixed with books, he manages his own cow/calf outfit and enjoys international travel discussing calf rearing. Weekends in the Rocky Mountains consist of honing horsemanship skills and keeping up with teenagers on the ski slopes.

10:30 a.m.

Starting Calves with Force - Lifetime Health and Production Begin on Day One

Dr. David P. Casper, Technical Services Leader/Dairy Nutritionist, Furst-McNess Company

McNess Furst ForceTM Calf is an advanced oral drench that kick starts newborn calves while providing the gastro-intestinal support calves needed, especially those that may be at-risk.

Furst Force TM Calf delivers:
1) Three specific strains of probiotic bacteria (B.pumilus, B.subtilis and B.licheniformis) with a concentrated yeast-based fermentation extract that contains many micro-nutrients to support gut health. 
2) A specific bolend of pathogen specific antibodies to support health and immunity. 
3) Specific organic acids to support digestion and product stability. 
4) Purified Beta Glucans and MOS for additional immune boosting gut health benefits. 
5) Vegetable fat as an added energy source. 
6) Key botanical extracts, essential oils and flavorings to support health and immunity. 

Key responses that have been observed included: Improved lean growth, Decreased death loss, Decreased scours, Improved response to treatments, Reduced digestive upsets, Improved calf viability.

Dr. David P. Casper is Technical Services Leader/Dairy Nutritionist with the Furst-McNess Company, Freeport, IL. He grew up on a dairy and livestock farm in Cuba City, WI. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and his Masters and PhD from South Dakota State University. Dr. Casper has published number scientific articles on dairy cattle nutrition, working with calves through lactating dairy cows.

11:30 a.m.

Microbial Inoculation Improves Silage Aerobic Stability after Short-Term Fermentation: Fact or Fiction?

Dr. Luiz Ferraretto, Associate Professor of Livestock Nutrition, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida

This presentation will discuss what producers can do to better utilize your high moister corn. In addition, with continual changing climate occurring, what options do producers have with sorghum and other forage crops. 

Dr. Luiz Ferraretto is originally from Brazil where he earned his B.S. in Animal Science from São Paulo State University in 2008. Immediately after the completion of his B.S. Degree, Luiz joined University of Wisconsin-Madison for an internship (2009) followed by a M.S. (2011) and Ph.D. (2015) in dairy science with focus on applied dairy nutrition and forage quality. After the completion of his Ph.D., Luiz joined The William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute as a Post-doctoral Research Associate. Currently, Luiz is an Assistant Professor of Livestock Nutrition in the Department of Animal Sciences at University of Florida and his research interests are applied dairy cattle nutrition and management with emphasis on starch and fiber utilization by dairy cows, corn silage and high-moisture corn quality and digestibility, the use of alternative by-products as feed ingredients, and supplementation of feed additives to lactating cows.

12:30 p.m.

Component Production: Is Your Herd Up to Par

Dr. Hank Spencer, Technical Services Principal for Cargill Animal Nutrition

To thrive in today's economy, dairy operations must maximize the value of their milk through efficient production of fat and protein components. Component efficiency is one of the best ways to monitor herd performance and profitability, however this concept is still foreign to many dairy producers. Dr. Hank Spencer, Cargill Technical Services Principle, will educate dairy producers on the what, why and how of measuring and managing component efficiency. His presentation showcases valuable case study examples from elite herds that are pushing the boundaries on components, achieving 6 pounds of higher combined fat and protein. He will also share practical management and nutrition tips for improving component efficiency and fully leveraging the value of the component market. Dairy producers will be sure to find this presentation informative, interesting and immediately applicable to their operation.

Dr. Hank Spencer is a Technical Services Principal for Cargill Animal Nutrition. Throughout his lifetime career, Dr. Spencer has had the opportunity to help dairy producers and industry professionals all across the world, including in the U.S., Canada, Colombia, Costa Rico, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Europe, China, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. In his Cargill role as a Technical Services Principal, he takes his learnings and works closely with nutritionists to implement nutritional and herd management technologies on customer farms. He is based near his home in Marshfield, Wisconsin.

1:30 p.m.

Managing and Marketing Dairy Crossbreds

Dr. Grant Crawford, Technical Services Manager, Merck Animal Health

Crossbreeding dairy cows with beef genetics has gained a lot of interest recently as dairy producers attempt to add value to calves from lower-producing cows.  As these calves enter growing systems and eventually the feedlot questions arise as to how best manage these cattle.  This session will discuss dairy/beef crossbred management strategies and potentially available markets for these calves.  

Grant Crawford is currently a Technical Services Manager with Merck Animal Health, providing technical support for beef producers, veterinarians, and nutritionists in the Upper Midwest.  Prior to joining Merck Animal Health in 2015, Grant worked as a feed company technical nutritionist for 3 1/2 years and spent five years in beef cattle extension and research at the University of Minnesota.

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5

9:30 a.m.

Simplified Farm Data Management with UNIFORM

Shawnna Finnerty, Project and Support Manager, North America

With the data pool today's dairy farms are swimming in, managing farm data just got easier with the UNIFORM management program. With more than 100 links to national organizations and process computers worldwide, UNIFORM-Agri is the industry leader in herd management links. Placing UNIFORM in the center of various on-farm processors creates a single-point of data entry, decreasing data entry errors and saving dairy professionals valuable time. This also provides simplified data management, centralized analysis tools to monitor farm performance and data to figure ROI for farm technologies. With UNIFORM sending and receiving data with various systems, managing the farm’s performance and requirements is now possible with fewer people. During our presentation, we will demonstrate how data management is simplified with UNIFORM connected to five different data systems. These data systems include national organizations, a milking parlor, an activity system and a vet program.

Shawnna Finnerty, Uniform Agri Project and Support Manager for North America, holds an Animal Science degree from Michigan State University. She has been representing UNIFORM-Agri in North America for over nine years and is part of the International Farm Comparison Committee and the Innovation Planning Team. Aside from professional responsibilities, she is a proud wife and mother of 2, soon to be 3, boys!

10:30 a.m.

DeLaval: 360 Degree Interactive Virtual Facility Tours

Jeff Prashaw, AIA (Project Design Manager)

Facility planning and design are a topic that every dairy operator will occasionally have to explore. There is no better way to see and learn the state of the art than by touring other barns. We make that easy with our 360 degree Interactive Virtual Facility Tours. This is also the best way to memorialize your new milking facility. We are ready to work with you!

Jeff is a licensed Architect and Project Design Manager that leads the North American Facility Planning & Design team, as part of DeLaval’s Dairy Advisory Group.  Jeff has been with DeLaval for 8 years and has designed thousands of robotic milking facilities, conventional parlors, all types of housing for all cow ages, individual and group calf facilities, and overall farm master plans. Hailing from Northern NY, as a young man Jeff worked on his father's construction company focused on building freestall and calf facilities in addition to conventional parlors. He also worked on several dairies during that time. After leaving NY, Jeff earned his Bachelors in Architecture and Masters in Business Administration from Florida A&M University and Florida State University, respectively.  Currently, Jeff resides in Arvada, Colorado and spends his free time backcountry snowmobiling and skiing in the winter and boating in the summer with his family.

Innovation Unveiled features additional cutting-edge products that can be found in the Trade Show.