WISCONSIN UNIVERSITY WORKSHOP

A Case Study from a Wisconsin Modern Commercial Dairy Farm

Workshop 2015
January 13th and 14th, 2015
A Wisconsin commercial dairy farm: Rosy Lane Holsteins LLC will be analyzed from all productive management aspects using actual data collected from the farm. The owner and dairy farm manager, Lloyd Holterman, will also attend the workshop and provide his insights of analyses and results, as well as attending any questions about the data. All attendees will participate in all four breakout sessions which will be repeated twice.
Each breakout session will begin with a central question, such as “Is there a problem with reproduction?” or “Can we improve profit by modifying the ration” The Workshop will finish with a Plenary discussion where reports from all breakout sessions will be provided and discussed. All participants will be in the same room including instructors and the Wisconsin dairy producer. Each breakup group will present and rationalize conclusions. A plan of action with priorities to improve profitability of the farm will be proposed among all participants.

Instructors from University of Wisconsin Dairy Science Department

KENT WEIGEL
Dept. Chair- Professor
Breeding and Genetics
Dr. Weigel’s research focuses on international genetic comparisons, genotype by environment interactions, genetic evaluation of health and management traits, and strategies to control inbreeding.

LOU ARMENTANO
Professor
Nutrition
Dr. Armentano specializes in ruminant nutrition physiology, especially the role of liver metabolism and its relation to protein nutrition. He also researches whole animal energy metabolism and the utilization of high fiber by-products for nutrition of the dairy herd.

VICTOR CABRERA
Management
Associate Professor
Dr. Cabrera focuses on model-based decision support in dairy cattle and in dairy farm production systems. Dr. Cabrera primary interest is to improve cost-efficiency and profitability along with environmental stewardship in dairy farms by using simulation techniques, artificial intelligence and expert systems. Dr. Cabrera research and Extension programs involve interdisciplinary and participatory approaches towards the creation of user- friendly decision support systems. More information at DairyMGT.info

DAVE COMBS
Professor
Nutrition
Professor Combs conducts research in forage utilization and ruminal digestion of fiber by dairy cows. Currently his research is focused on forage fiber utilization by high producing dairy cows, and development of laboratory methods to predict forage quality. He has also over 20 years experience in dairy grazing research. Dr. Combs also teaches several undergraduate and graduate level courses in dairy cattle nutrition and management and coaches the UW-Madison intercollegiate dairy challenge team.

LAURA HERNANDEZ
Assistant Professor
Lactation Biology
Dr. Hernandez’s research focuses on autocrine/paracrine factors that regulate milk synthesis and secretion, particularly during the transition periods of pregnancy to lactation and lactation to the dry period. The goal of Dr. Hernandez’s research is to elucidate novel methods for improving the ability of dairy cattle to maximize their lactation potential, either by improving the transition to lactation and/or alleviating dry period issues.

AMY L. STANTON
Assistant Professor
Animal Well-Being Specialist
Dr. Stanton focuses her research on sickness behavior and cow and calf comfort. One aspect of sickness behavior is to try to identify when is the optimal time to look for sick animals, and then what are their behaviors and how can we train people to identify sick calves. Her goal is to improve disease detection and prevent disease outbreaks by identifying the sick animal early. Regarding cow comfort, Dr. Stanton is interested on facilities design.

MILO WILTBANK
Professor
Reproductive Physiology
Dr. Wiltbank studies the regulation of ovarian function. Basic studies focus on the regulation of hormonal receptors in the corpus luteum and developing ovarian follicle. Applied studies focus on development of methods that allow timed arti icial insemination and improve pregnancy rates in dairy cattle.

RANDY SHAVER
Professor
Nutrition
Dr. Shaver’s extension and research programs focus on applied nutrition of lactating dairy cattle. His research focuses on improving nutrient utilization of corn silage and corn grain and B-vitamin supplementation of dairy diet.

TED HALBACH
Dairy Cattle Evaluation Instructor
Ted Halbach is a dairy management instructor in UW- Madison’s Department of Dairy Science. Since joining the dairy science staff in 1998, he has coordinated and supported dairy youth programs throughout Wisconsin, taught dairy cattle evaluation classes for both the four-year college program and the short course, and coached the UW- Madison’s highly successful dairy judging team. Ted now coordinates Dairy Science 233 and 234, that are both dairy management courses covering industry benchmarks and applied practices. He is also charged with developing an in- house Dairy Challenge competition.

Instructor from IRTA Department of Ruminant Production
ALEX BACH
Research Professor
Dairy Production
Dr. Bach is an ICREA Research Professor and Director the Department of Ruminant Production of IRTA (a research institute from Catalonia devoted to study ruminant production systems). He conducts research on ruminant nutrition and metabolism, and dairy cow and replacement management.

Speaker from Rosy Lane Holsteins LLC
LLOYD HOLTERMAN
Dairy farmer focused on high production
He graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1980 in Dairy Science. He was a member of the Dairy Cattle Judging Team. Currently manages with his wife Daphne 920 total cows and 870 youngstock. They also grow 1,600 acres of forage and do some custom harvesting. Genetic sales account for 1-5% of gross revenue, depending on the year.” The Holterman’s are dedicated dairy Advocates as well as very successful dairy farmers. All tasks at Rosy- Lane are thoughtfully considered and thoroughly implemented.

Duration
2 Days. January 13th and 14th, 2015.

Venue
Blanca From the Pyrenees. The Campus.

Delegates
Maximum number of attendees: 48
Places are limited and aplications are processed in strict order of receipt.

Cost
1,650 €/delegate + VAT (Includes tuition fees and materials, coffee breaks, one dinner, two lunches, and three nights of hotel (two nights in Barcelona/one night near Blanca from The Pyrenees).

Language
The workshop will be in English. Simultaneous translation might be possible, but should be arranged with Blanca in advanced (please note the cost of translation is not included).

Transportation
A bus will depart from Barcelona Hotel on Tuesday 13th at 08:30, and will leave Blanca on Wednesday 14th at 17:00, arriving at Barcelona airport around 19:30 and Barcelona centre at 20:00.

*To register, please fill in the registration form at the bottom of the brochure.