SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report
Sections
Status: Approved
Basic Information
- Project No. and Title: OLDSERA15 : Competitiveness and Sustainability of the Southern Dairy Industry (S-217)
- Period Covered: 10/01/2012 to 09/01/2013
- Date of Report: 03/11/2013
- Annual Meeting Dates: 01/22/2013 to 01/24/2013
Participants
David Anderson (Texas A&M) *; James Bannon (Auburn University); Jeffrey Bewley (University of Kentucky); Bennett Cassell (Virginia Tech); Lane Ely (University of Georgia); Wayne Gauthier (Louisiana State University)*; Wayne Greene (Auburn University); Gary Hay (Louisiana State University); Stephanie Hill Ward (Mississippi State University)*; Tina Horn (Clemson University); Joe Horner (University of Missouri)*; Bruce Jenny (Louisiana State University)*; Peter Krawczel (University of Tennessee)*; Jamie Larsen (Mississippi State University); Jack McAllister (University of Kentucky); Steve Nickerson (University of Georgia); Michael Roberts (North Carolina State University)*; Mary Sowerby (University of Florida)*; Stephen Washburn (North Carolina State University); Chris Thompson (SE Milk Market Administrator); Joe West (University of Georgia) *
The 2013 SERA-15 Annual Meeting was held at the Embassy Suites Airport Hilton Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday, January 21. 2013. Secretary Michael Roberts presided in the absence of Chair Mary Sowerby who was late. Eight SERA-15 members were present. Joe West of the University of Georgia, the new research administrator advisor, was present. State reports were given for Texas, Missouri, Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina. It was noted that the Southern Dairy Conference (SDC) continues to be expensive. It was noted that expenses for SDC 2013 had been reduced by $2000.00. Pros and cons of obtaining sponsorships for the Southern Dairy Conference were discussed for offsetting costs associated with hosting the SDC. It was noted that earlier members of the SDC committee had observed that sponsors were part of the reason some dairy conference no longer existed as they tend to erode objectivity that should dominate university research. Also noted was that todays audiences are used to sponsorships and they can be noted as general sponsors of the SDC. A motion by Bruce Jenny was carried that sponsors be pursued to generate monies to offset SDC expenses.
A brief discussion was pursued asking the reason for the SDC purpose and location? Various reasons and participant targets were given and it was noted that further discussion may be a good thing to consider evaluating the purpose and direction for the SDC.
No Secretary was elected at the meeting. It was determined that incoming Chair Michael Roberts would poll all the SERA015 committee members for nominations/volunteers. On February 14, 2013 Joe Horner of the University of Missouri was nominated and approved via electronic voting. Joe agreed to serve as the 2013 SERA015 Secretary and 2014 SERA015 Chair.
[Minutes]
Accomplishments
One hundred twenty participants from industry and academia attended the 38th Annual Southern Dairy Conference held January 22-24, 2013. Fifteen speakers made presentations about dairy economic policy, global dairy markets, climate change and its effects on the dairy industry, lowering somatic cell counts and milk quality, evaluating the viability of recycled grocery store waste for dairy cattle feed, using livestock margin for dairy, evaluating the future of dairy research, analyzing the use of social media to educate and market, exploring value added dairy markets, looking at bedded compost loafing barns, learning about efficiencies of new bedding facilities, and finally a panel of producers who talked about their experiences of adding value to enhance farm profits. Conference proceedings are posted on the Southern Dairy Conference website: http://www.southerndairyconference.com/Pages/Proceedings.aspx .
Impacts
- In 2012-2013 the SERA-15 committee organized and held the 39th Annual Southern Dairy Conference. This conference focused on farm bill policy, politics, and dairy economic issues impacting an audience of primarily milk cooperative, individuals from industry, and academia. Additional presentations included improving dairy quality, producer value-added profit enhancing techniques and experiences, compost bedded pack systems, climate change, and research regarding grocery waste as a dairy feed source. Exit surveys indicated that over 93% of conference attendees found five conference topics very useful or extremely useful.
- The following are in their order of relative importance: 1) farm bill changes and policy updates, 2) adding value to on-farm dairy profits, 3) value-added marketing channels, 4) the value-added farmer panel discussion, 4) using social media as a means to educate non-dairying public and market value-added products, and 5) risk management tools that enhance dairy farm profits