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Efficiency, Profitability and Sustainability at Alltech’s Global Dairy 500

[Dunboyne, IRELAND] - The agriculture industry is experiencing unprecedented change and uncertainty. While the time for tough decisions may lie ahead for some, there is also enormous potential for efficient, profitable and sustainable innovation. Alltech’s Global Dairy 500 will take place this December 4-5, 2012 in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. For the fifth year, leaders from the dairy industry will converge to discuss the issues of greatest importance to them and to their herds under the EPS principle – Efficiency, Profitability, Sustainability.

Robert Brouwer, owner of a 2,800 cow dairy near Portales, New Mexico, has attended Global 500 every year since its inception.

“This is a must attend event for me.  Alltech continue to outdo themselves with timely and relevant topics presented by great speakers,” Brouwer said. “It is also great to meet and interact with dairy farmers from across the world. The event gives me new ideas and provides an opportunity to see things from a global perspective.”

Nick Vande Weerd, co-owner of Pleasant Dutch Dairy, a 1,400 head operation near Willow Lake, South Dakota, agrees. “I thought the conference was very energetic. You are not going to get there and get bored because they have high quality, informative speakers,” Vande Weerd said. “It's engaging and a great place to network with people from around the world. I am going back this year.”

This year’s agenda features a plenary session, including presentations on branding milk, the EPS principle, social media and getting the most out of your workforce. In addition, Global Dairy 500 boasts a range of talks, featuring everything that you need to know about the future of the industry, tailored for the progressive dairy producer and farmer:

• “Back to the Future”: What You Will Hear
  Why do we aim low? If the world record is 72,000 lbs of milk (36,000 kg), why do we settle for 20,000+ lbs? Is the grading system out of date? What are the barriers and obstacles to more profitable dairy or beef farming?
• Feeding the Machine: What We Must Understand to Maximise Productivity
  How do we keep pace with genetics? Why do we cull cows so early? Why is there such high infertility coming into the dairy herd? Why don’t we have greater feed efficiency from beef finishers? Do we understand what the new technology is and how to apply it?
• The Gene Chip: A Breakthrough in Natural Nutrition
  What the gene chip tells us about personalised medicine for humans, and its implications for feeding our animals. Tomorrow’s technology today!
• Ingredients for Success on a Dairy Farm
  Ten lessons learned from twenty years visiting dairy farms that will bring you to a new level of production.
• The Mycotoxin Killer: Today’s Most Prevalent Problem
  As the hidden killer on farms today, what do we do when 2/3 of all grains are contaminated with mycotoxin? What do we do when distiller dried grain (DDG) has three times the mycotoxin levels and is now a major ingredient?
• Protected Fats. . . Not Just Any Fat but a Fat That Improves Fertility
  Learn why protected fats are key to dairy and the role algae plays in embryonic development.  Can protected fats get an extra lactation out of our animals?
• Your Carbon Footprint: The New Reality
  What is a carbon footprint, and why is it important to you?  The New Zealand Government will subsidise emissions from farmers until at least 2015; how long will taxpayers subsidise the agri-sector which accounts for 50% of its carbon emissions?  As carbon footprint comes into the spotlight with consumers and Governments across the world how can we respond to address these challenges?
• Looking for Signals: Let the Cows Talk
  All animals send signals every day. Learn what to look for, what they tell you, and how to use them profitably.
• Shakin’ Udder: From Home-Farm Delivery to Specialised Milkshake.
  A simple branding exercise for you. Learn how you can do it yourself.  Surround yourself with entrepreneurs. Spot the chance and grab it.
• The Milkman Farmer: Become the Delivery Man
  Knocking on doors: how my family weathered the storm and supported 40 people for 40 years with 200 cows profitably.

“As the global demand for dairy products continues to grow and feed prices and our climate become less and less stable, the pressure to innovate is on producers and farmers. However, the question of how to remain profitable is a question that does not have a clear answer anymore,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech. “Branding is much more important now as consumers are developing strong loyalty to brands and are more concerned about where their food comes from. Sustainability and the green agenda dominate much of the discourse. Answers must address all aspects of the different issues facing dairy farming.”

To take part in planning for the future of the dairy industry, join us December 4 - 5, 2012 in Lexington, Kentucky. For more information on Global 500 and to register, please visit www.alltech.com/global500 and use the invitation code G124.