The Dairy Calf & Heifer Conference – An Information-packed Event

The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association's (DCHA) (http://www.calfandheifer.org/) annual conference wrapped up on March 25. By all accounts, it was a very successful meeting and trade show. More than 300 growers, producers, veterinarians, academia, and dairy industry representatives attended the conference March 23-25, in Lexington, Ky.

DCHA Conference Committee Chair Eugene Myatt, of Kentucky Heifer Growers in Glasgow, Ky., said, "It's great to have growers and producers attend this information-packed conference here in my home state. Attendees received practical information that they can take home to their operations, while experiencing Kentucky's hospitality.”

Special thanks go to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Dairy Development Council for their help in making this such a successful conference.

Growers and producers, with more than 600,000 head (herd sizes ranged from 80 to 53,000), heard 30 speakers present the latest on nutrition, U.S. dairy trends, biosecurity, vaccines, disease intervention, colostrum management, automatic feeders, DCHA's Gold Standards  and much more from top industry professionals. Management topics included labor management, risk management, and a panel discussion led by DCHA Board members on how to write a strong contract.

Standing room only crowds packed the live animal demonstration theatres where presenters offered practical information that growers and producers can use in their everyday operations. Grower/producer comments about the live animal demos included "Animal demos were very useful,” and the "Animal demos were great!”

The trade show was a complete sell-out with 64 companies exhibiting. Another 10 companies provided sponsor support for the conference. There were several new product rollouts at the show. Conference goers said the trade show was "excellent!”

Special conference events featured a day tour with stops at Woodford Reserve, Three Chimneys Farm and Keeneland; DCHA's annual golf outing; and Old Kentucky Night at the Kentucky Horse Park.

DCHA is the only national association dedicated to serving the dairy calf and heifer industry. We strive to provide information, education and access to leading research and technology to help our members be more profitable. To join DCHA, click here visit the Web site or call 877/434-3377.

Plans are already underway for the 2011 conference, April 5-6, in Lake Geneva, Wis. Check the DCHA Web site for the latest news on next year's conference