PDP Hoof Health Workshops Bring Hands-On Dairy Training

By Blake Jackson

Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) will bring hoof health education directly to dairy farms through its 2026 PDP Hoof Management Workshops. Rather than relying solely on classroom instruction, the program will use active dairy operations as real-world learning environments where participants can evaluate herd health challenges and identify practical solutions.

The one-day workshops will be offered twice, with sessions scheduled for June 16 at ADK North in Plattsburgh, New York, and June 18 at Miltrim Farms in Athens, Wisconsin.

To support broader participation, simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available at both locations, allowing entire farm teams to benefit from the training.

Throughout the workshops, attendees will assess farm records, observe cattle and facilities, and examine management practices that may influence hoof health and overall herd performance.

Dairy producers, herd managers, hoof trimmers, veterinarians, and nutritionists will collaborate with industry specialists to analyze findings and develop strategies that can be adapted to their own farms.

“Dairy producers are always looking for ways to tighten margins while improving the health and productivity of their herds. One of the fastest ways to do that is to ensure cows have healthy hooves,” said Roger Olson, workshop presenter and dairy account manager with Zinpro Corporation.

“This workshop will give attendees the tools they need to prevent lameness and the loss of income that comes along with it.”

Key topics will include recognizing environmental and management risks, using hoof health records to identify trends, improving prevention and treatment plans for chronic cases, and understanding how hoof health affects labor efficiency, animal comfort, and farm profitability.

Workshop presenters include Karl Burgi, founder of the Save Cows Network and an internationally recognized hoof health specialist; Roger Olson of Zinpro Corporation; and Dr. Drew Swartz, dairy cattle extension specialist at Utah State University.

Participants may earn up to 4.0 Dairy AdvanCE (DACE) credits and up to 6.0 ARPAS continuing education credits. Registration information is available through PDP website.

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