
The Event Will Be Held on February 5-6, 2025 in State College, PA
Continuing education credits for dairy producers, veterinarians and animal science professionals are available at the 2025 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit on February 5 – 6 in State College, Pa. This year’s theme is “Designing Your Tomorrow Today,” with several continuous learning opportunities happening throughout the event to allow attendees to start taking action and bring their ideas to life. Hosted by the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania and Center for Dairy Excellence, the two-day Dairy Summit will be held at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, with over 16 dynamic speakers, sessions and discussion groups focused on real-time issues affecting dairy producers, along with several networking opportunities and continuous learning at the forefront.
Thanks to grants and support from the Center for Dairy Excellence, Professional Dairy Managers of PA, and Summit sponsors, registration fees for dairy producers are set to be as affordable as possible. Individuals can still register for the event at www.padairysummit.org or by calling the Dairy Summit Business Office at 814-355-2467. Walk-ins will also be accepted.
“I always leave the Dairy Summit feeling very inspired and encouraged. The line-up of keynote and breakout sessions this year is excellent, but the networking at Summit is always equally as valuable. Sometimes you get tunnel vision working on your own farm, so it’s great to be able to connect and network with other farmers,” said Jared Kurtz, a dairy producer from Berks County, Pa. and the 2025 Chair of the PA Dairy Summit. “I always learn just as much from the conversations and energy that you’ll find happening in the hallways and during breaks at Summit.”
Learn more about the continuous learning opportunities happening at the PA Dairy Summit:
- Continuous education credits: The Dairy Summit program is approved for continuous education credits through the American Registry of Animal Science Professionals, the National Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program, and the Pennsylvania Department of Veterinary Science. Dairy producers, veterinarians and animal science professionals can all benefit from four breakout session tracks, including Herd and Health; Feed, Forages and Energy; People and Potential; and Outcomes and Opportunities.
- Discussion Groups: Attendees can exchange ideas with other dairy producers during these informal discussion groups happening throughout the event.
- Navigating Proactive Culling Decisions facilitated by Dr. Joe Bender. How do you decide when it is time for a cow to move into their second career? When is a cow no longer a productive member of your herd?
- Getting to the 8 Pound Club facilitated by Dr. Bill Braungard. Is it possible to achieve 8 pounds of butterfat and protein per cow per day? There are farms achieving 7 pounds. What’s keeping them from getting to 8?
- Evaluating Group/Social Calf Care Strategies facilitated by Dr. Melissa Cantor. Is group housing actually better for the calf than keeping them in individual pens? What has been working well on farms and what hasn’t?
- Dairy Forum on Tuesday Evening: The Dairy Summit will begin with the “Export Opportunities and Workforce Trends” Dairy Forum on Tuesday, February 4 at 7 p.m. The event is free for those registered for at least one day of the Summit or are part of the PA Milk Dealers Meeting. Panelists will discuss dairy export trends, opportunities for U.S. dairy products in the global market, and workforce trends that could affect both dairy processors and producers.
- Live Demos: New this year, Summit attendees can visit the demo room throughout the event to see technology and equipment in action and get free biosecurity resources. The room will feature the following demonstrations:
- HPAI and Biosecurity Resources: Get Help with Your Plan
- AI Technology on the Dairy: How Effective Is It?
- Climate-Smart Equipment: See How We Track the Impact
- Networking Receptions: During conference breaks, the Young Dairy Professionals Reception on Tuesday evening, a Networking and Exhibitor Reception, and more, there is ample time to connect and converse with attendees throughout the week.
Visit www.padairysummit.org to register today and view the full program. Producer discounts will automatically be applied during the registration process. Contact the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit Business Office with questions. Call 814-355-2467 or email info@padairysummit.org.