Contact: Laura Paine, Program Director, 608-338-9039
Heather Flashinski, GrassWorks Conference Planner, 715-289-4896
This year’s conference includes over 35 workshops including an entire track of dairy topics sponsored by the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship. DGA is a formal Apprenticeship similar to those for carpentry or plumbing. “This year at the conference, Thursday will be an opportunity for beginners and established dairy farmers to learn about the program and meet others interested in apprenticeship,” said Joe Tomandl, DGA Executive Director.
The conference dairy track will continue through Friday and Saturday with topics including A2-A2, organic, and grass-fed milk production and quality, starting a farmstead creamery, custom dairy heifer raising, forage quality of cover crops, and a panel on dairy genetics, among others.
“We are pleased to welcome two of our DGA Masters from Missouri to this year’s conference,” said Laura Paine, DGA Program Director. Dale Carter describes himself as a holistic farmer with a focus on soil health as a foundation for his management. He milks about 200 seasonal calving crossbred cows. Daryn and Stacie Koopal milk 800 cows on 560 acres of irrigated pasture near Sarcoxie, MO. They are in partnership with Grasslands, Inc., the New Zealand dairy organization. They will be joined by two Wisconsin and Minnesota dairymen who run unique operations for a ‘Dairy Your Way’ session on Friday.
“These four ‘Dairy Your Way’ producers will return later in the day for a ‘Handy Hints’ open-mike session in which participants will be encouraged to share their best ideas and handy hints for making the farm run smoothly,” said Paine. “This is the first year we’ve tried something like this, but managed grazing is all about innovation and sharing ideas, so this should be a lively session!”
Conference registration includes workshops, general sessions, and admission to the exhibit hall as well as evening entertainment, dinners, lunches and snacks. For more information on registering, volunteering, exhibiting and other opportunities or to register online, visit the GrassWorks website (www.grassworks.org) or contact Conference Planner Heather Flashinski at 715-289-4896 or grassheather@hotmail.com.
For more information on Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship and how you can get involved, visit www.dga-national.org or contact Joe Tomandl (715-560-0389 or joe@dga-national.org) or Laura Paine (608-338-9039 or laura@dga-national.org.