Hands-On Training for Dairy Producers in Wisconsin

By Blake Jackson

Dairy producers looking to enhance animal welfare and improve herd productivity will soon have a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience and expert insights.

Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) is set to host the Dairy Wellbeing Workshop, a one-day event designed to strengthen animal-handling practices and understanding of how care affects both cow health and beef quality.

The workshop will be offered twice on Wednesday, November 19, and Thursday, November 20, at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Each session begins at 8:00 a.m. and concludes at 3:45 p.m. Programs will be presented in English with simultaneous Spanish translation to ensure accessibility for all participants.

A highlight of the event is the guided tour of the American Foods Group processing facility, offering attendees a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how animal care and handling influence carcass quality, beef yield, and market readiness.

Following the tour, participants will engage in an interactive panel discussion with beef buyers, market specialists, and USDA meat inspectors to learn what industry professionals look for when evaluating cattle and carcasses.

The in-class sessions feature two in-depth learning opportunities:

• “Practicing the principles: stockmanship in action.” Dr. Jennifer Van Os, associate professor and extension specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will guide participants through hands-on exercises and real-world scenarios to refine stockmanship skills, focusing on calmer cows, safer handlers, and improved productivity.
• “Every step counts: act early for healthier cows.” Led by Dr. Laura Solano of UW-Madison’s School of Veterinary Medicine, this session emphasizes lameness prevention, early detection, and proactive management strategies to maintain mobility and optimize herd performance.

The Dairy Wellbeing Workshop is accredited for up to 5.5 Dairy AdvanCE (DACE) continuing education credits and 6.0 ARPAS credits.

For registration, visit https://pdpw.org/ or contact 800-947-7379.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-jesp62