Michigan 4-H youth attend the National 4-H Dairy Conference in 2024
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EmailYouth delegates attended educational sessions, listened to guest speakers, went on farm and business tours, and concluded their trip by attending the World Dairy Expo.
Three Michigan youth and two Michigan State University Extension staff traveled to Madison, Wisconsin this year for the National 4-H Dairy Conference. This conference is open to any 4-H youth ages 15 – 19 and youth from several states attend this conference each year, though they can attend the conference only once in their 4-H careers. While at the conference, youth meet and network with several other youth and dairy professionals from across the U.S., as well as hear from guest speakers, industry leaders and professionals, and a motivational speaker.
This year, after arriving at the hotel and conference center, youth spent their first evening participating in a pin exchange and networking with delegates from other states. They had dinner, listened to guest speakers, and went to their rooms to prepare for the first full day of the conference.
On the first full day of the conference, participants traveled to Dekorra, Wisconsin, to tour ABS Global; there, youth learned about bull collections and the basics of genetics. After lunch, participants toured Hoard’s Dairyman Publishing, the Hoard’s Dairyman Registered Guernsey Farm, the National Dairy Shrine Museum and Jones Dairy.
On the second full day of the conference, participants toured ST Genetics to learn about their bull collection process, shipment and processing, and other components of the company. After lunch, delegates traveled to Crave Brothers Farm to tour their farm and attend a variety of sessions that covered dairy nutrition, beef quality assurance and pregnancy testing. After dinner, youth enjoyed a barn dance event with delegates from other states. On the final day of the conference, the Michigan delegation attended the World Dairy Expo to watch the show, eat grilled cheese and browse the trade show.
The days are full and can be tiring, but the knowledge gained from the conference, the opportunities enjoyed, and the connections that are made are invaluable. Youth can see large-scale dairy farms, learn about the science and procedures behind bull artificial insemination companies, and learn more about how dairy products are produced and marketed. Not to mention, they get to see some of the greatest dairy show females in the industry shown on the coveted colored shavings at the World Dairy Expo. Although youth may only attend the conference once, the memories of the trip are endless.
Interested youth who wish to attend the National 4-H Dairy Conference in the future should contact their local MSU Extension office.
