Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: February 26, 2008

Learn to Thrive and Survive at the Missouri Dairy Summit

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – The Missouri Department of Agriculture has announced a conference to be held in Springfield, Mo. in March to help advance the state’s dairy industry. The Missouri Dairy Summit, 2008, set for March 3-4 at the Clarion Hotel, will focus on new grass-based dairy production practices and discuss the issues facing the industry.

“The Missouri Dairy Summit is a great opportunity for our state’s dairy farmers to learn new marketing opportunities and new production ideas,” said Katie Smith, director of MDA. “Dairy farming has long been a mainstay of Missouri agriculture. Dairy farmers are known for their determination and strong work ethic, but at times there are real challenges of making enough income to support a family.”

The two-day event will introduce grass-based dairy production with an emphasis on the genetics of grass-based dairy cows and tackle some of the hardest issues facing dairy farmers in Missouri.

Day one of the conference speakers will include: Katie Smith, Dr. Steve Washburn, North Caroline State University; Gustavo Toro, Sexing Technologies-Genetic Resources International; Dr. Duane Norman, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Charles Fletcher, KBC Farms-Purdy, Mo.; Dennis Evans, Community Bank and Trust of Neosho, Mo; and will include a panel discussion. Day two will include Dr. Tony Rickard, MU Extension Dairy Specialist; Dr. Richard Crawford, MU Extension Dairy Specialist; Mark Russell, Missouri Department of Economic Development; Ed Tilley, Dairy Farmers of America; Michael Lichte, Dairy Farmers of America and Mark Hitt, Missouri Department of Agriculture.

For more information regarding the event, visit www.mda.mo.gov/dairysummit.htm. The Missouri Dairy Summit, 2008 is hosted by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

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