HARRISBURG, Pa. — Dairy producers and their employees are invited to one of four animal care workshops that are being held on dairy farms across the state throughout March. Hosted by the Center for Dairy Excellence and the PA Beef Council, the free workshops will focus on hands-on skill-building to help dairy producers meet National FARM compliance. A Spanish interpreter will be present at each event, making the workshops ideal for both English and Spanish-speaking employees. Lunch will be provided at the conclusion of each workshop.
“These workshops qualify as National FARM training, so they are a great opportunity for dairy producers and their employees to spend a few hours learning about animal care practices and how to develop safe and effective protocols for your operation,” said Zach Myers, Risk Education Manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence. “Our goal is to make the events as hands-on as possible, so we are hosting them directly on Pennsylvania dairy farms and working with veterinarians to provide in-depth training.”
Four workshops will be held on dairy farms across Pennsylvania during March. The events will be held on the following dates:
- Wednesday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Burk-Lea Farms, Chambersburg, Pa.
- Tuesday, March 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Irishtown Acres, Grove City, Pa.
- Wednesday, March 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Star Rock Farms, Conestoga, Pa.
- Tuesday, March 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Hemsarth Dairy, Millville, Pa.
During each workshop, attendees will rotate through 45-minute stations and gain hands-on training in several key animal welfare areas:
- Stockmanship—Learn about stocking density, the humane movement of dairy animals, and the key characteristics of a cow’s natural behavior to help provide a low-stress environment.
- Handling downer cows and euthanasia – Learn how to make appropriate and humane decisions around euthanasia and managing downer cows.
- Calf care – Learn how to provide top-quality calf care to help reduce stress and improve the calf’s future performance.
- Antibiotic use and record-keeping – Learn about the importance of antibiotic stewardship to ensure responsible use of antibiotics to keep cows healthy and the milk and beef supply safe.
To register for one of the free animal care workshops, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/animal-care. Please include the names of employees who will be attending from your operation.
For more information about the events, contact Zach Myers at zmyers@centerfordairyexcellence.org or call 717-346-0849.
The National Dairy FARM Program: Farmers Assuring Responsible Management works to set the highest standards when it comes to animal care, workplace settings, and environmental and antibiotic stewardship. These workshops qualify at National FARM training for dairy producers and employees.
–Emily Barge, Center for Dairy Excellence
