PDPW Business Conference Keynotes Take Big Picture Look at Dairy’s Hottest Issues

Broad spectrum of experts present solutions for renewable energies, consumer trends, markets and more.

Diverse perspectives, research and experiences are critical for today’s dairy producers as they navigate challenges to meet animal health and production goals while managing consumer and social expectations for sustainability, animal care and more. Keynote sessions at the 2022 Business Conference presented by the Professional Dairy Producers® (PDPW) will bring together some of the top minds in the country for compelling panel discussions on renewable-energy opportunities, consumer trends, markets and other essential subjects.

The 2022 Business Conference will be held March 16-17 at the Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Featuring a full agenda of world-class presenters on a variety of topics in nearly 60 keynote, break-out, hands-on and other sessions, the conference will also include simultaneous Spanish translation.

The opening session on Wed., March 16, will showcase an eclectic group of thought leaders that will shed light on current trends and opportunities with renewable energies. Presenters will discuss social expectations, new technologies, lessons from the logging and timber sector, and highlight the moral and ethical obligations the dairy industry faces while finding ways to maintain and improve our resources for future generations.

Opening keynote speakers include Bruce Vincent, third-generation logger from Libby, Montana; Dr. Frank Mitloehner, PhD, professor and air quality extension specialist, Department of Animal Science, University of California-Davis; Dr. Richard Kyte, PhD, endowed professor and director of the D.B Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University; and Tom Thibodeau, distinguished professor of servant leadership and director of Master of Arts in Servant Leadership program at Viterbo University.

“We’re excited to present a unique approach to keynote sessions at business conference by bringing together two diverse panels of experts to bring their perspectives and insights to help us more proactively approach some of the most pressing issues in dairy,” said Katy Schultz, Fox Lake, Wis., dairy producer and PDPW board president.

Managing and predicting the whims of the supply chain has proven a colossal task. The same can be said for extreme weather events – forecasted to increase – and the increasing power yielded by pandemic-era consumers. On Thurs., March 17, a dynamic trio of presenters will provide dairy producers with information they need to stay a step ahead of the complex and changing tides of weather, markets and consumer perceptions.

Eric Snodgrass, principal atmospheric scientist at Nutrien Ag Solutions, will highlight the long-range weather patterns forecast regionally and globally, and the implications for crop production and yields for producers worldwide. He’ll also speak to how extreme weather such as flooding, tornadoes and hurricanes disrupt transportation of fertilizers, feedstuffs, food products and more.

Charlie Arnot, CEO of the Center for Food Integrity, will offer insight on how to produce goods consumers want and effectively determine what they’ll want in the future. Dr. Marin Bozic, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Applied Economics at University of Minnesota and Associate Director of Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center, will tease out the core economic principles and market patterns that will enable producers to continue to pivot and successfully manage their businesses.

Visit the 2022 Business Conference website for the conference flier, hotel and registration details, as well as information on exhibiting at the event.

Sessions at the 2022 PDPW Business Conference are accredited training and offer Dairy AdvanCE (DACE), American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) and Certified Crop Advisor (CCA). To learn more or secure credits, visit www.DairyAdvance.org.

Professional Dairy Producers (PDPW) is the nation’s largest dairy producer-led organization of its kind, focusing on producer professionalism, stakeholder engagement and unified outreach to share ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed.