Each year, Expo Seminars provide World Dairy Expo attendees with topics and discussions that are relevant to today’s global dairy industry. This year’s Expo Seminars are no different, aiming to address topics on management practices, mental health and more. Seminars are presented daily, Tuesday through Friday, in Mendota Room 1 of the Exhibition Hall at 12:00 p.m.
Below is the 2024 Expo Seminar schedule that can be enjoyed in person at WDE or online through ExpoTV at www.worlddairyexpo.com. Two seminars are approved for one continuing education credit for members of the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS).
Tuesday, October 1
Cultivate Your Culture
Sandy Larson, General Manager, Larson Acres
Is your culture at its best? Having a positive culture supported with outstanding values will elevate your farm and your employees. Are your employees engaged? In this seminar, Sandy Larson, General Manager of Larson Acres, will show attendees what it takes to increase engagement and lower employee turnover. Become the employer of choice!
Wednesday, October 2
Net Zero Opportunities and Challenges in Dairy Production
Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, Ph.D., Director & Professor, AgNext and Colorado State University
Approved for (1) ARPAS Continuing Education Credit
This seminar will provide an overview of sustainability and discuss the complexities in dairy production systems. It will also highlight and describe supply chain pressures related to net zero and opportunities that exist for dairy producers to consider adopting on their journey toward net zero.
Thursday, October 3
Hope and Hard Work: Mental Health in Agriculture
Monica Kramer McConkey, LPC, Ag Mental Health Counselor, Eyes on the Horizon Consulting, LLC
Stressors in agriculture production are like no other and can often impact the producers’ and their families’ mental and physical health. In this seminar, we will look at why stress in agriculture is so significant, understand what happens to us when we become stressed and look at ways to cope. This is a presentation anyone in or around agriculture will want to hear!
Friday, October 4
New Perspectives on Aging and Lifespan in Dairy Cows
Matt Lucy, Ph.D., Professor, University of Missouri-Columbia
Approved for (1) ARPAS Continuing Education Credit
The life expectancy of the modern dairy cow is short, and most cows are culled from the herd because they are either lame, infertile, diseased or low-producing. The collective interpretation of the culled dairy cow is that she is “worn out” and needs to be replaced. Although the reasons for culling have been identified, the “why” a cow is “worn out” is unclear. This seminar will explore what we know about aging in dairy cows and what the future holds for extending the productive life of dairy cows.
Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo is the premier forum for the global dairy community to learn, share, create commerce and showcase competition. The annual event will return to Madison, Wis. October 1-4, 2024, where dairy producers near and far can experience the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, a world-class dairy cattle show, attend seminars, meetings and presentations highlighting the latest and greatest in the industry and connect with other producers. Download the World Dairy Expo mobile app, visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Spotify, or YouTube for more information.
