Workshop Shows Dairies How to Transition to Free-stall Set-up

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Dairy Alliance is hosting two workshops for dairy producers who want to learn how to transition from a tie-stall to a free-stall facility with a parlor set-up. Pa. dairy producers and their employees can attend the workshop for 60 percent off the registration fee, thanks to a grant from the Pa. Department of Labor and Industry.

“This workshop is for anyone who is thinking about transitioning to a free stall and parlor now or in the future,” noted Dr. Lisa Holden, workshop leader and associate professor of dairy science at Penn State. “The discount available to Pa. dairy producers and their employees makes this a good opportunity for producers to explore the decision-making strategies necessary for a profitable transition from a tie-stall facility.”

Called Dairy Profit Strategies: Transitional Growth, the workshop will be offered at two different sites: on December 6 at the Lewisburg Government Center Training Room, Lewisburg, Pa., and on December 13 at The Cottage Inn and Restaurant, Ebensburg, Pa.  Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

“Transitional growth requires some key planning in order to capitalize on a strong herd and develop a successful stepwise expansion,” observed Dr. Holden. The workshop will provide practical information and insight into expansion and the steps to transitioning out of a tie-stall facility. “With current milk prices high, many producers are considering some type of herd or business expansion. This workshop will help you to learn about profitable business models, about capitalizing on internal herd growth and about how and when to transition to that first parlor or new parlor,” said Holden.

Topics will include: stepwise expansion, growing the herd, grouping for and managing a first parlor, parlor sizing from an economic, business, and industry perspective, as well as business planning for a profitable transition.

Guest speakers are John Baker, DeLaval; Mark Douglass, agricultural financial educator, Penn State Cooperative Extension; Brad Hilty, information management specialist, Penn State Dairy Alliance; Mike Hosterman, dairy lending specialist, AgChoice Farm Credit; John Tyson, agricultural engineering educator, Penn State Cooperative Extension; and Dr. Holden. Come join in the discussion with other producers thinking about herd growth and ask questions of these leading experts. 

 AgChoice Farm Credit and Lancaster Dairy Farm Automation are among the program sponsors.

The registration fee is discounted to $38 for Pa. dairy producers and their employees. Others may attend at the non-discounted rate of $95. Options for stepwise expansion can lead to profitable herd and business growth for the future. Take advantage of this discounted workshop by registering today. Advance registration is required.  Registrations with a credit card may be completed online at www.dairyalliance.org. Phone registrations are accepted at 888-373-7232. A program agenda is also available at the above website.