By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference (GLRDC) is geared toward helping dairy producers learn to be more profitable.

The eighth annual event is Feb. 11-13 at the Bavarian Inn Lodge and Conference Center in Frankenmuth. During the conference, industry experts will make presentations on topics ranging from dairy nutrition and reproduction, to labor management and environmental stewardship.

Shifts in the global marketplace have everyone wondering what the future holds in terms of land values, alternative energy, interest rates, recession, recovery and more. Dr. David Kohl, president of Agrivisions, LLC, and professor emeritus of agricultural finance and small business management at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, will offer potential solutions for producers seeking proactive approaches to managing their businesses when he addresses attendees during the conference.

In his presentation, “Mega Forces of Agriculture: Vision 2020,” Kohl will explore ways to proactively position farms by using good business management practices. He will also talk about how farmers can capitalize on the challenges and opportunities facing them now, and what will be even more prevalent in the next decade.

Exploring how to “bridge the gap” between what consumers expect from today’s dairy industry and the realities of the business is the focus of “Consumers are from Venus, Farms are from Mars.” As the conference’s keynote presenter, Charlie Arnot – CEO of the Center for Food Integrity and Founder and President of CMA Consulting – will explore the farmer-consumer relationship in-depth and help dairy farmers understand what consumers expect and how to build public trust.

A Nebraska native, Arnot graduated from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He was an award-winning journalist in radio and film, and worked as the vice president of communications and public affairs for Premium Standard Farms for 10 years before launching his Kansas City, Mo.-based company in 2004.

Another session, “Environmental Updates Land, Air and Sea: A National Environmental Roundup,” will explore old, revised and new challenges and opportunities that await the dairy industry as the environmental regulatory and legislative landscape continues to take shape under President Obama’s administration.

Jamie Jonker, director of Regulatory Affairs at the National Milk Producers Federation, will lead a presentation on “National Dairy FARM Program: Telling Our Animal Care Stories.” Jonker’s talk will offer insights into the program, which is aimed at providing a verifiable platform for dairy producers to give a consistent message to customers and consumers about animal care on modern dairy farms.

Other conference speakers include Adam Locke, Michigan State University assistant professor of animal science; Michael Hutjens, University of Illinois dairy extension specialist; and Michael Allen, MSU University Distinguished Professor of animal science.

Additional learning opportunities will result from participants interacting with two different producer panels to learn what works on their farms. This year’s producer panel topics will focus on efficient and effective management teams and successful strategies for managing fresh cows. More conference highlights include the fifth annual Great Lakes Commercial Heifer Sale, Michigan dairy breed association meetings, a trade show and industry recognitions.
The GLRDC Partners Program will be held in conjunction with the educational sessions. In addition to participating in some general session topics, Partners Program participants will learn about social media tools and how to implement them, hear how university students are confronting animal rights issues both on campus and off and discover how two farm families organized their own consumer education events.

Attendees will also have the chance to bake their own Dorothy Zehnder recipe apple or cherry streudel, one of Frankenmuth’s signature desserts, in the Bavarian Inn Restaurant kitchens.
For a complete GLRDC schedule or to register, visit www.glrdc.msu.edu or call 517-373-3173, ext. 229. Registrations received before Jan. 29 will receive a $50 early bird discount. Online registration closes Feb. 8.