By MICHELE F. MIHALJEVICH

Indiana Correspondent

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Fort Wayne will host two dairy-related conferences next month: the Indiana Milk Quality Professionals (IMQP) event is April 10-11, and the Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference is April 16-18.

The registration deadline for the nutrition conference is March 30, and for the dairy conference, April 4. Registrations will also be accepted at the door for both events.

Presentations scheduled for both conferences include those related to helping producers during tough economic times in the industry. The milk conference has an agritourism panel with representatives from farms in Fair Oaks, Fort Wayne and Goshen, Ind.

“They’ll look at how you can milk cows and have a secondary income through agritourism,” explained Jeremy Arend, president of the IMQP board of directors. “Depressed milk prices have added to the stress levels of producers. Incomes are not where they should be. Over this next year, some farms will sell out.”

At the nutrition conference, topics include ways to improve milk composition.

“The dairy industry is under a little bit of economic stress,” noted Maurice Eastridge, a professor of animal sciences at The Ohio State University and a conference organizer. “The question is, how do you feed to optimize the composition of milk so it can improve the incomes of farmers?”

Milk conference

The IMQP has hosted a conference since 1999. Last year’s event drew about 115 people.

This year, Laurie Richards, a strategic communication specialist, will discuss using email efficiently and avoiding “geek-speak.” Other topics include updates from the Indiana State Board of Animal Health and the state legislature, the importance of sampling and a panel discussion on the transportation of milk from the farm to consumer.

Bruce Kettler, who became director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture in January, is also scheduled.

For the first time, the conference will feature breakout sessions. “Everyone likes shorter sessions and the ability to move around,” Arend said. “We get that every year in feedback after the conference. These sessions will be in three different rooms and allow for smaller, more manageable group size.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to take in a Fort Wayne Tin Caps minor league baseball game the night before the conference opens. The conference is in the Hilton Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Center. The cost is $125, with lower fees for producers. A game ticket is $20.

For a complete schedule and to register, visit www.imqpinc.com

Nutrition conference

This year’s event, the 27th, includes a panel of those working in the feed industry for varying amounts of time – from 1-5 years, to more than 20. Over the years, there have been changes in such things as feed additives, forage and the size of dairy operations, Eastridge said.

Despite those changes, “when you boil it down, you’re still working with animals and people,” he stated. “You’re still feeding dairy cows.”

The conference starts with undergraduate and grad student presentations on April 16. Pre- and post-conference events are also planned.

Topics scheduled for the afternoon of April 17 include environmental sustainability of dairy farm systems, dietary recommendations for dairy cows and the energy cost of inflammation in dairy cows.

Presentations on April 18 include changes in the treatment of mastitis, relationships between fertility and body condition in dairy cows and feeding rumen to maximize milk components.

Last year’s attendance was 537. As the industry continues to consolidate, Eastridge hopes to keep that number at about 500. “The price of milk is a bit depressed, putting a financial squeeze on producers,” he noted. “(Conference organizers) have been able to adapt, to bring new things. The focus is on training that new generation.”

The conference will be in the Grand Wayne Center. The cost is $175 until March 30 and $205 after. For more information, see www.tristatedairy.org