Dairy Business Association: Announces 11th annual business conference

Contact: Laurie Fischer

Executive Director

E-mail: lfischer@widba.com

Phone: (920) 366-1880

Green Bay, Wis. – The Dairy Business Association is excited to announce their 11th Annual Business Conference entitled “Reaching New Heights…A Journey for Learning.” Make plans now to join more than 300 dairy industry friends and partners on Tuesday, November 30th and Wednesday, December 1st at The Madison Concourse Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin.

This two-day event brings together dairy leaders ready to tackle the tough issues facing our industry. This year’s conference will cover timely topics ranging from the forthcoming immigration battle, OSHA’s proposed Wisconsin enforcement program, future livestock expansion in the state, and a segment on milk pricing offering insight on the US Farm Bill. Expert speakers and panelists will provide valuable insight to what the future holds for these topics…and much more.

The first day kicks off with an overview of the proposed H-2A Improvement Act S.3858 with Visas for dairy workers. This Act if passed will explicitly exempt dairy farms from having to show that sponsored workers are engaging in “temporary or seasonal in nature” employment and also includes a provision which provides for permanent residence (green cards) without going through the existing bureaucratic nightmare. In order to assure a strong labor force in your future, you won’t want to miss this presentation!

Our action-packed first day continues with an expert panel of immigration attorney/experts taking the stage to answer your specific immigration questions. Panelists include Leon Sequeira from Seyforth Shaw in Washington DC, Jose Oliviera from Michael Best & Friedrich in Milwaukee, and Eric Straub from Straub Immigration in Milwaukee.

Rounding out the line-up for Tuesday’s afternoon is a one-stop training class on OSHA regulations, laws and analysis. DBA producer members Lee Jensen of Five Star Dairy, LLC and Roxanne Solum of Minglewood, Inc. will share their firsthand experience when OSHA and the Dept. of Labor came knocking at their door. Jeff Carter (Loss Control Program Director for WI AgriService Association) will show insight on OSHA requirements for dairy operations and Chuck Palmer from Michael Best & Friedrich in Waukesha will offer expertise to help protect you should OSHA come knocking at your door. There will be plenty of opportunity for attendees to ask specific questions to our OSHA experts to find out firsthand what to do in order to make certain safety is number one.

Evening events include a cheese and wine reception with legislators, dinner and networking. And back by popular demand…our evening speaker will be Wall Street’s own Stephen Moore to once again provide an insider’s look at the nation’s economic situation. A year after the health care law passed, Moore will share how it will impact you. Will the new Congress impede its implementation and what can the new Congress accomplish with President Obama?

David Crass from Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP in Madison starts out Day Two with an update on the 8+ years’ case of Larson Acres. Conference attendees will hear how this Supreme Court case will set the course for all future livestock expansion in Wisconsin.

We conclude our conference with segment on milk pricing that every producer needs to hear! Ben Yale (Senior Partner of Yale Law Office in Waynesfield, Ohio and nationally recognized as an expert on dairy law, regulation and policy) will discuss the US Farm Bill, the primary Ag policy tool of the Federal Government. Unprecedented losses in 2009 followed by less-than or break-even prices stretched cow loans to the max and dropped cow values. With a growing heifer population and milk supply, it will be vital for DBA to work with the congressional delegation to make dairy policy changes.

With an excellent and informative agenda with plenty of networking opportunities, DBA’s Annual Business Conference is always the event of the year. The registration fee is $175 with a special rate of $99 for dairy producers. All are welcome to attend.

To view a conference brochure or to register on-line, visit http://www.widba.com. For more information on the conference or DBA, contact Michelle Philibeck at 920-213-7588 or mphilibeck@widba.com.

Click here for event brochure http://www.widba.com/abc_registration_brochure_2010.pdf

Click here to register now https://widba.com/abc_registration.php

About DBA

The Dairy Business Association is an industry organization comprised of dairy producers, corporate and allied industry supporters. DBA promotes the growth and success of all dairy farms in Wisconsin by fostering a positive business and political environment. For more information about DBA, please visit our website at http://www.widba.com.