Consumers want to know where and how their food is produced.
UW–Extension will host the annual Dairy and Beef Well-Being Conference in the UW-Platteville Markee Pioneer Student Center and Pioneer Farm in Platteville March 11.
Since consumer confidence is a critical piece of food production, this year’s conference will focus on educating consumers and animal care practices. Dairy and beef producers, veterinarians, farm service providers, educators, emergency managers, first responders, and elected officials are encouraged to attend. Youth are also encouraged to attend as this will be the first conference to offer a youth track with hands-on and interactive activities by conference speakers.
The keynote speaker will be Wanda Patsche of Minnesota Farm Living, a blog working to connect consumers to the farmers and people who grow their food. Patsche will be addressing how to share your story with consumers with a presentation titled Building Your Ag Story Through Social Media. In addition, Ron Gill, widely known as a pioneer in animal handling and stockmanship will be on hand for a demonstration with live animals.
Additional speakers will include:
• A Wisconsin Beef Council, Inc. representative discussing quality assurance.
• Dr. Katy Proudfoot, Animal Welfare & Behavior Extension Specialist at The Ohio State University, covering cow comfort and transition.
• Heidi Carroll, Extension Livestock Stewardship Associate, South Dakota State University, on Livestock Stewardship: The Puzzle of the People.
• David Kammel, Biological Systems Engineering for UW–Madison, on Design & Management of Humane Animal Handling Facilities.
• Dr. Sandy Stuttgen & Dr. Sarah Mills-Lloyd of UW–Extension discussing pain management in youngstock.
Early bird registration for both adults and youth is $45 before February 19th. After February 19th, general registration is $55.
This program has been approved for continuing education credits for veterinary practitioners, veterinary technicians, and humane officers. Also, Beef/Dairy Beef Quality Assurance and the American Registry for Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) credits will be offered.
Go to http://fyi.uwex.edu/animalhusbandryconference/ for the program agenda and registration information. The program is presented by UW–Extension Dairy and Livestock Teams. Monetary sponsors include: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Equity Livestock Cooperative, Merial, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Wisconsin Beef Council, Elanco, Wisconsin Cattleman’s Association, and Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin.
For more information contact Jennifer Blazek, Dane County Dairy & Livestock Educator, (608) 224-3717, jennifer.blazek@ces.uwex.edu.
