DCRC Annual Meeting explores cutting-edge technologies

More than 200 Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) members from 27 U.S. states, four Canadian provinces and 11 countries gathered in person (Middleton, Wis.) and virtually, Nov. 15-17, for the group’s 2022 annual meeting.

Attendees included reproductive physiologists, animal health researchers, dairy producers, bovine veterinarians, animal health suppliers and dairy industry partners. Presenters addressed topics to help attendees explore cutting-edge technologies and build a sustainable future.

An optional dairy farm tour featured four dairies that have achieved Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze recognition in DCRC’s Excellence in Dairy Reproduction awards program. Tour hosts included Schilling Farms, Fennimore, Wis.; Kieler Farms, Inc., Platteville, Wis.; Darlington Ridge Farms, Darlington, Wis.; and Wessel Farms, Mineral Point, Wis.

“The 2022 DCRC Annual Meeting showcased dairy cattle reproduction topics that enhance fertility and  reproduction success, strengthen animal welfare, optimize the use of sexed semen, improve nutrition programs, capitalize on artificial intelligence, boost transition cow success, build markets for dairy-beef cattle and help dairy producers create profitable management systems,” said DCRC Annual Meeting Program Chair Pablo, Pinedo, Colorado State University assistant professor in the department of animal sciences. “The hybrid format (in-person and online attendees) provides DCRC members with a great tool for continuing education.” All sessions were recorded, so DCRC Annual Meeting attendees may access the recordings after Dec. 5. In addition, DCRC members may view 20 recorded research poster presentations.

Outgoing DCRC President Matthew Utt, Zoetis, passed the gavel to BJ Jones, Center Hill Veterinary Clinic, Darlington, Wis. Other DCRC board members are: Vice President Tracy Burnett, University of Guelph; Secretary-Treasurer Luciano Caixeta,

University of Minnesota; Past President Utt; and director members Kim Egan, GENEX; Eduardo Ribeiro, University of Guelph; and Brian Schilling, Schilling Farms, LLC. Committee chairs include: Awards Chair Katelyn Allen, Hoard’s Dairyman; Program Chair Caio Aranha Gamarra, Merck Animal Health; Education Chair Vinicius Machado, Texas Tech University; Membership Chair Carli Woodward, Phibro Animal Health; and Nomination Chair Matthew Utt. DCRC thanks outgoing board members Michael Overton, Zoetis, and Natalia Martinez-Patino, Zoetis, for their exemplary service to DCRC.

DCRC thanks its annual meeting sponsors who contributed to the professional development program’s success. Silver sponsors included Select Sires, STgenetics and Zoetis. Bronze sponsors were Adisseo, Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition, Boehringer Ingelheim, GENEX, Nedap, Trans Ova Genetics and VAS. Dairy Farm Tour sponsors included CentralStar Select Sires, Nicolet National Bank, Purina, STgenetics and Zoetis.

Next year’s DCRC Annual Meeting is set for Nov. 14-16, in Salt Lake City. Watch the DCRC website – www.dcrcouncil.org – for program updates.

The Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council is focused on bringing together all sectors of the dairy industry – producers, consultants, academia and allied industry professionals – for improved reproductive performance. DCRC provides an unprecedented opportunity for all groups to work together to take dairy cattle reproduction to the next level.