MADISON, Wis. — Because healthy heifers represent the vital foundation of any profitable dairy operation, dairy producers across Wisconsin will soon have a direct opportunity to sharpen their management strategies. To help farmers build and maintain that essential foundation, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension dairy educators have announced a series of statewide educational meetings scheduled for early December. Entitled "Raising the Bar: Building Better Heifers," these upcoming regional workshops are designed to provide practical, research-backed insights into optimizing heifer development, health, and overall herd longevity.
The dairy industry has long recognized that the investments made during the rearing phase directly influence future milking herd performance, milk production efficiency, and farm profitability. By focusing on the critical early stages of an animal’s life, producers can significantly impact their long-term bottom line. To address these vital production goals, the UW-Madison Extension team has organized four distinct regional gatherings spanning different parts of the state during the first week of December, ensuring that farmers from various agricultural communities have accessible opportunities to participate.
The series of free educational workshops will kick off on December 1 in the Fond du Lac and Dodge County area. Producers gathering for this opening session will meet at the Dodge County Extension Office, located at 127 E. Oak St. in Juneau, Wisconsin. The following day, on December 2, the educational tour moves south to the Dodgeville area. Farmers and industry professionals in that region will convene at the Iowa County Health and Human Services Building, situated at 303 W. Chapel St. in Dodgeville, Wisconsin.
Midweek sessions will continue on December 3 in the Marathon County area, where attendees will gather at the AgCounty Conference Room, located at 1207 N. Central Ave. in Marshfield, Wisconsin. The final meeting of the series is scheduled for December 4 in the Kaukauna area, taking place at the Kaukauna Town Hall, located at W780 Greiner Rd. in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.
These informative regional events are entirely free for all attendees, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Parnell, a company dedicated to supporting agricultural education and animal health advancements within the livestock sector. Because the workshops are provided at no cost, organizers anticipate strong interest from local producers, herd managers, and allied industry professionals who are eager to enhance their operational practices.
For dairy producers looking to attend, the schedule for each meeting day is straightforward and designed to accommodate busy farm schedules. On-site registration for each event will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., giving participants an opportunity to network with fellow producers, connect with local extension agents, and settle in before the educational programming commences. The formal presentations and workshop discussions will get underway at 10:30 a.m. at each respective venue.
While the educational sessions are provided at no charge, organizers strongly encourage interested participants to secure their spots in advance. Registration is currently open online, and producers can easily sign up by visiting the official event registration portal at go.wisc.edu/RTB26.
Through initiatives like the "Raising the Bar: Building Better Heifers" meetings, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension continues its long-standing mission of bringing valuable, science-based educational resources directly to the state’s agricultural communities. By equipping dairy farmers with the latest knowledge in heifer management, UW-Madison educators aim to help Wisconsin dairy producers maintain their competitive edge, improve animal welfare, and foster sustainable, profitable enterprises for years to come.
