By Blake Jackson
Understanding animal behavior is key to creating calmer cows, safer work environments, and more productive herds. To support this, Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) will host the PDP Dairy Wellbeing Workshop, focused on improving stockmanship skills and lameness-prevention strategies through interactive learning and real-world examples. Participants will also enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of a beef-processing facility.
The workshop will be offered in two one-day sessions on Wednesday, Nov. 19, and Thursday, Nov. 20, at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Each day begins with registration at 8:00 a.m. and concludes at 3:45 p.m. Sessions will also include simultaneous Spanish translation to ensure accessibility for all attendees.
The program will feature three core sessions:
Behind the Scenes: American Foods Group Tour
Participants will gain firsthand insight into how on-farm animal care impacts carcass quality and market value. A guided tour and panel discussion will cover factors such as body condition, conformation, and overall animal health.
Practicing the Principles: Stockmanship in Action
Led by Dr. Jennifer Van Os, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, this hands-on session will focus on building practical stockmanship techniques. Attendees will explore how human behavior influences animal response to promote safer handling and improved herd performance.
Every Step Counts: Act Early for Healthier Cows
Presented by Dr. Laura Solano, Assistant Professor at UW-Madison’s School of Veterinary Medicine, this session will emphasize early detection and proactive management of lameness using evidence-based prevention and mobility-assessment methods.
The Dairy Wellbeing Workshop offers up to 5.5 Dairy AdvanCE (DACE) and 6.0 ARPAS continuing education credits. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Visit www.pdpw.org or call 800-947-7379 to register.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-peopleimages
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock, Dairy Cattle