<b>By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN<br>
Michigan Correspondent</b> </p><p>

FRANKENMUTH, Mich. — The Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference (GLRDC) is geared toward helping dairy producers learn to be more profitable.</p><p>
The event will take place Feb. 7-9 at the Bavarian Inn Lodge and Conference Center in Frankenmuth.</p><p>
“The strength of this conference lies in the fact that producers drive the content,” said Brian Troyer, GLRDC executive director and dairy nutrition specialist for Caledonia Farmers Elevator. “This isn’t one company going out and putting on a conference that suits its needs. It’s about producers getting together and telling organizers what topics and issues are important to them – what they need to know to make their farms more efficient and profitable.”</p><p>
The conference kicks off Feb. 7 with a keynote address by farm radio personality Orion Samuelson. On Feb. 8, the conference will focus on reproduction and financial health, and the Feb. 9 programs will focus on labor management and nutrition.</p><p>
Born on a dairy farm near La Crosse, Wis., Samuelson has been an agriculture voice over the airwaves since 1960. Today, Samuelson’s syndicated show “National Farm Report” is heard daily on more than 260 radio stations throughout the United States.</p><p>
Other presenters will include Dr. Paul Fricke, associate professor of dairy science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Dr. Norman St. Pierre, professor of dairy science at Ohio State University; Sarah Fogelman, agricultural economist and labor relations expert with Kansas State University extension; Dr. Mike Hutjens, extension dairy specialist at the University of Illinois; Dr. Mike Allen, animal science professor at Michigan State University; and Trent Loos, an agriculture evangelist and radio personality.</p><p>
Hutjens, nationally-recognized author, speaker and researcher on dairy animal nutrition, will present “Nutrition 101: The Latest on Byproducts, rbSt and Milk Protein.”</p><p>
“Finding the right nutritional mix to general optimal performance in dairy cattle is a delicate balance that is becoming increasingly complex as new feed ingredients become available,” said Phil Taylor, MSU extension dairy educator and a member of the GLRDC program planning committee. “Hutjens will provide producers with insight on how to incorporate these new ingredients into their feed rations.”</p><p>
In “Getting the Problem Breeders Pregnant,” Fricke will talk with producers about the latest research being conducted in the area of dairy reproduction and how to effectively use research findings and new technologies when developing practical management programs. Fricke will relate how producers can apply successful trends for getting hard-to-breed cows pregnant in their own herds, and he will illustrate how DHI records can be used to generate warning signals within a herd’s reproductive program.</p><p>
Some other learning opportunities will come when participants interact with two different producer panels to learn what works on their farms. This year’s producer panel topic will focus on reproduction programs and managing farm labor.</p><p>
“Producer panels are always a big hit,” Troyer said. “When you can sit with people who experience the same challenges as you do and learn from their successes and failures, it really puts you ahead of the game.”</p><p>
New this year will be an alternative program session offered during the evening of Feb. 7, which is designed for farm managers and employees who are unable to attend the conference during the day, as well as a hot topics session the following morning. Other sessions offer fun topics for spouses and children including digital photography, salsa making, a session on wine and much more. For a complete GLRDC schedule or to register, visit www.glrdc.msu.edu or call 517-373-3175, ext. 229. The registration deadline is Feb. 1.