The Farmer Logo

The Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference will be held over Zoom on June 10.

June 5, 2020

3 Min Read
dairy cow with ear tag
SPECIAL FOCUS: The pre-conference symposium discussion of the Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference will focus on amino acids in cow diets.Paula Mohr

Due to public health concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak, and in accordance with guidance from the CDC, organizers of the 2020 Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference have pivoted and changed the in-person event into a virtual conference to be held June 10.

The annual event is a collaborative effort of University of Minnesota Extension, Iowa State University Extension, University of Illinois Extension and University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Adisseo’s pre-conference symposium will focus on how amino acid balancing will improve cow performance. Johan Osorio, South Dakota State University, will cover amino acid balancing in transition cows. Mark Hanigan, Virginia Tech, will talk about important amino acids beyond just lysine and methionine. Milo Wiltbank, University of Wisconsin, will discuss the present reality and future of functional amino acids, especially in reproduction.

The first conference session will focus on factors to improve animal health and performance. Nigel Cook, University of Wisconsin, will discuss practical steps to prevent lameness. Kevin Harvatine, Penn State University, will examine how daily and seasonal rhythms impact cow performance. Mike Steele, University of Guelph, Ontario, will talk about nutritional regulation of gut health and development by colostrum and milk in calves.

The second session will focus on maximizing profit from bull calves. Dan Schaefer, University of Wisconsin, will teach participants how to realize the full value of Holstein and Holstein cross steers. Bill Munns, JBS USA, will discuss the science behind purebred Holstein beef. Chip Kemp, American Simmental Association, will cover how to use data to select profit focused beef bulls for a crossbreeding in Holstein herds.

Select breakout topics include:

  • barn design for Automatic milking systems

  • maximizing milk fat yield

  • nutritional regulation of gut health and development, weaning and beyond

  • how to apply body condition score during transition to improve reproductive efficiency

  • using MUN to manage protein feeding

  • does feeding rumen protected amino acids during stress help?

  • clean feed: optimizing health and nutrition

  • lessons learned from the 2019 growing season

  • optimizing fertility using sexed semen

All sessions with Q&A will all be recorded and available for viewing by attendees until Aug. 15.

Virtual conferencing 101

This virtual conference will be presented using the Zoom video conference tool. Each presentation will be live. Staff from the conference committee will assist with discussion and live Q&A sessions.

The entire virtual conference will be recorded, and registered participants will receive a link to these recordings within five days after the event.

Speakers will give their presentations in segments, each followed by a brief five-minute Q&A session. An integrated Q&A feature in Zoom allows attendees to ask questions during the webinar and for speakers to be able to see and answer their questions.

In addition to the live Q&A, an integrated chat feature will allow the attendees, host, co-hosts and speakers to communicate for the duration of the virtual conference.

Attendees will receive instructions on how to participate via email after they register.

If you have a slower internet speed, it may be useful to connect to Zoom through your computer for the video and screen views and then use your landline or cellphone to connect to audio, rather than through your computer. Phone numbers are included in confirmation emails to registered participants.

Go online to learn more and to register for the event, or contact Jim Salfer at [email protected] or 320-203-6093.

The conference registration fee this year is $75.

Source: University of Minnesota Extension, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all of its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like