Story by Editor Walt Cooley, Illustration by Ray Merritt

More than 100 producers, veterinarians and nutritionists gathered in Phoenix, Arizona, to discuss current industry challenges and opportunities, learn from each other and plan for their dairies’ future success and profitability.

The meeting was the third annual Managers Academy hosted by Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW). Producers said the highlights of the three-day event were dairy tours to Shamrock Farms, a 10,000-cow dairy, and Red River Dairy, a 7,800-cow dairy, both in Gilbert, Arizona.

During a producer question-and-answer panel following the tours, the owners and managers of these facilities said finding and retaining laborers; documenting environmental stewardship; and land, water and feed availability were the top three concerns facing their dairy businesses.

“To me the toughest part of this business is finding middle management,” Frank Boyce, manager of Shamrock Farms, said.

Participants discussed how to address current industry topics such as access to technology, consumer concerns about animal welfare and training dairy employees. Watch for more in-depth coverage of these talking points and other highlights discussed by the 2008 Managers Academy graduates in upcoming issues. PD

ABOVE: Producers listen to Tom Dugan, far left, answer questions about his 7,800-cow dairy during a tour of Red River Dairy in Gilbert, Arizona. Photo by PD staff.

ABOVE: Dairymen inspect raw cotton prior to its processing during their tour of a cotton gin in Pinal County, Arizona. Photo by PD staff.