The National Dairy FARM Program, in collaboration with Beef Quality Assurance, will host a 45-minute informational session, “New World screwworm: Risks, Response and Herd Protection” in Mendota 4 at World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. CT on Oct. 1.
Learn how the dairy industry, veterinarians, and government agencies are preparing for the potential impact of New World screwworm. This session will cover the current outbreak situation, response planning, producer preparedness, and actions needed to protect animal health and maintain business continuity. Panelists will review the history of New World screwworm in the United States, highlight key lessons learned from past eradication efforts, and discuss the factors shaping today’s risk to the dairy industry, including specific considerations for calf and heifer raising.
Attendees will leave with practical tools to help identify, prevent, and respond to a potential outbreak, with attention to high-risk groups such as newborn calves, replacement heifers, animals with wounds, and cattle managed in group housing or pasture-based settings.
Join the National Dairy FARM Program for its 45-minute panel session, “FARM ES: Turning Stewardship into Opportunity” in Mendota 4 at World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. CT on Oct. 1.
The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Environmental Stewardship (FARM ES) Program is designed for dairy farmers across the country to showcase U.S. dairy’s environmental leadership through a single, streamlined platform.
The session will discuss the latest updates on FARM ES and the Ruminant Farm System (RuFaS) model. Speakers will talk through how the program is opening doors to new value streams while protecting dairy’s license to operate.
The National Dairy FARM Program is currently undergoing its periodic revision, and this webinar will provide an overview of what to expect as Version 2028 takes shape. Speakers will review the program’s history and governance structure, outline the current development timeline and walk through the proposed updates for Animal Care and Workforce Development. The session will also explain how dairy farmers and other industry stakeholders can shape the future of the FARM Program by participating in the process, including how to submit comments and share feedback before decisions are finalized.
Three leadership practices are essential for supervisors: setting clear expectations, employee training and development, and providing performance feedback. In Employee Development and Training, you will learn best practices to plan and conduct training that engages employees, supports retention, and helps ensure great quality work. You will also learn how to create a culture of continuous learning and performance improvement through employee development, coaching, and career planning.
Topics covered in ASL105-SP:
- Introduction to Effective Training
- Planning for Training
- New Employee Integration
- On-the-Job Training
- Training and Development
- Implementing a Career Planning System
Course begins: Friday, June 19, 2026
Live Zoom discussions: Thursdays, June 25 – July 30, 2026 2:00 PM ET
More information is available at the registration link.
Organizing Work for High Quality Results (ASL102) teaches farm supervisors how to develop clear expectations and delegate effectively. Learn how to implement a quality management system on your farm, create your own standard operating procedures, and develop processes to streamline work and improve results. This course is appropriate for both new and experienced farm supervisors and managers, as well as those preparing to become supervisors.
Topics covered in ASL102:
- Quality Management Systems
- Continuous improvement
- Setting clear expectations
- Quality assurance
- Protocols, activity flows, and standard operating procedures
- Effective delegation
- Psychological safety
- Social responsibility in agriculture
Course begins: Friday, June 19, 2026
Live Zoom discussions: Thursdays, June 25 – July 30, 2026 3:00 PM ET
More information is available at the registration link.
As digital tools play a growing role on dairy farms, keeping your farm’s information secure is increasingly important. Join the National Dairy FARM Program for a webinar focused on data privacy. This session will focus on how data is collected, stored and protected within the FARM Program.
Join more than 300 leading voices from across the dairy value chain to examine the current sustainability landscape, explore opportunities for U.S. dairy, and connect with colleagues from across the country.
Join The Dairyland Initiative May 14-15 in Madison, WI for its first in-person workshop since 2020! Attendees will participate in engaging and practical workshops focused on how to combat heat stress in adult cows and calves using the latest recommendations gleaned from research and field experience.
Questions? Contact Courtney Halbach at courtney.halbach@wisc.edu
Calf Care & Quality Assurance is holding a free “Train the Trainer” course scheduled for Thursday, April 10, from 1:00-5:00pm MT, immediately after the DCHA conference concludes. CCQA is a quality assurance certification program that was built to unite calf raisers around key management practices that ensure consumers all cattle raised at a calf-raising facility are healthy and well cared for and the products they generate are wholesome and safe. Components of the program include calf health, animal handling and stockmanship, management and care, employee training, continuing education and emergency preparedness.
The goal of a Train the Trainer session is to prepare and certify industry leaders in the techniques and instruction of the program. Once certified, you will gain access to the CCQA Instructor Hub that houses all materials needed to host a CCQA Training. Following access to the hub, you can then host on-farm training events to assist in employee training and certification.
For more information and to register for that course, you MUST click this link. Space is limited to 20 participants.
For more information, contact Julia Herman at: jherman@beef.org.
