By Blake Jackson
Registration is now open for the 17th Annual Dairy Financial and Risk Management Conference, themed "Rewriting the Future."
The event will take place on September 9, 2026, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg and is designed for dairy producers, financial consultants, lenders, and other industry professionals seeking practical insights into financial planning, risk management, and farm business transitions.
The one-day conference will feature four educational sessions led by industry experts. Corey Geiger of CoBank will examine changing dairy market conditions, including strong consumer demand, increasing dairy protein production, shifting butterfat markets, and the growing impact of high beef prices on dairy farm revenues.
A producer panel featuring Austin Copenhaver, Lyndon Miller, and Lisa Graybeal will explore how non-traditional business partnerships have helped strengthen their dairy operations.
Moderated by Dr. Brian Reed, the discussion will include real-world experiences, business strategies, and an interactive question-and-answer session.
Risk management specialist Andy McCarty will provide guidance on tools that help dairy farms manage price volatility and protect profitability.
Topics will include Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP), Livestock Gross Margin-Dairy (LGM-Dairy), Livestock Risk Protection (LRP), forward contracts, futures, options, and feed hedging strategies.
Mike McGrann will focus on the human side of farm business planning, offering techniques for leading productive conversations around succession planning, finances, and family relationships to support successful farm transitions.
“For Pennsylvania dairy farmers, and the ag lenders and consultants who work with them, it often feels like we’re navigating the impossible. From tight margins to family dynamics, being successful and profitable in the dairy industry often starts with rewriting the future and reimagining what our dairy farms’ legacies looks like,” said Valerie Mason-Faith, Risk Education Manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence.
“Our speakers will share ways you can clear the path for productive family business transitions for your clients — and drill down on risk management and evolving dairy markets.”
The conference runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration costs $260 per person, with a discounted rate of $210 for representatives of the Center for Dairy Excellence Allies for Advancement.
For registration, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/financial-conference.
Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic
Categories: Pennsylvania, Education, Livestock, Dairy Cattle