The Free Workshops Will Be Held on Five Dairy Farms Across the State
Dairy producers and their employees are invited to one of five animal care workshops that are being held on dairy farms across the state throughout March and April. Hosted by the Center for Dairy Excellence, PA Beef Council and the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania (PDMP), the free workshops will focus on hands-on skill-building to help dairy producers meet National FARM compliance. A certificate will be provided at the conclusion of each workshop to show dairy producers’ commitment to National FARM and animal care. Attendees will also be certified through the National Beef Council Calf Care & Quality Assurance (CCQA) program by the end of the workshop.
A Spanish interpreter will be present at each event, making the workshops ideal for both English and Spanish-speaking employees. Lunch will be provided at each workshop as well.
“Thanks to the large number of dairy farm teams who attended these animal care workshops last year, we are looking forward to partnering with PDMP and the PA Beef Council to offer another series this spring. These workshops qualify as National FARM training, so they are a great opportunity to boost your skills in key animal welfare areas and develop safe and effective protocols for your operation,” said Zach Myers, Risk Education Manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence. “The workshops are hands-on, free and ideal for all dairy farm employees. We hope to see you at an event this spring.”
Five workshops will be held on dairy farms across Pennsylvania during March and April. The events will be held on the following dates:
- Tuesday, March 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Scattered Acres Farm, Lancaster County, 900 Galen Hall Rd., Reinholds, PA 17569
- Wednesday, March 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Mercer Vu Farms, Franklin County, 12275 Mt Pleasant Rd., Mercersburg, PA 17236
- Thursday, March 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Willow Behrer Farms, Huntingdon County, 3288 Behrer Lane, Spruce Creek, PA 16683
- Wednesday, April 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Lone Oak Farms, Westmoreland County, 201 Shady Road, New Alexandria, PA 15570
- Tuesday, April 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Hoffman Farms, Potter County, 243 Healy Road, Shinglehouse, PA 16748
During each workshop, attendees will rotate through 45-minute stations and gain training in several key animal welfare areas:
- Calf Care — Learn about proper nutrition and management of replacement heifers to help achieve top quality dairy cows that are profitable and capable of remaining in the herd for several years.
- Biosecurity — Learn what biosecurity means for dairy operations and hear tips for minimizing the likelihood of something detrimental arriving on your operation.
- Dry Cow Management and Obstetrics — Participate in a hands-on demonstration using models provided by Penn State Extension, and learn how to properly assist in the delivery of calves in normal instances as well as abnormal or dystocia deliveries.
- Animal Handling and Stockmanship – Participate in a hands-on demonstration to learn how to more efficiently and patiently sort and move cattle using groups of heifers that are weaned up to six months old.
To register for one of the free animal care workshops, call 717-346-0849 or visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/animal-care. Please include the names of employees who will be attending from your operation.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information about the events, contact Zach Myers at zmyers@centerfordairyexcellence.org or call 717-346-0849.
The National Dairy FARM Program: Farmers Assuring Responsible Management works to set the highest standards when it comes to animal care, workplace settings, and environmental and antibiotic stewardship. These workshops qualify as National FARM training for dairy producers and employees.