Ken Hessenius, Iowa DNR Supervisor based in Spencer, will provide an overview of the department's procedures for manure spills or other environmental issues, and what to expect in working with department staff.

RSVP today - space is limited.  Contact LeAnne at 712-441-5308 or info@wiadairy.com to reserve your spot. 

As part of WIDA's partner membership with Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW), WIDA producer members can receive PDPW member rates for World Class Webinars and other programs.  WIDA is also hosting lunch viewings of the sessions at the Sioux County Extension Office in Sioux City ... lunch included ... that are free and open to all members.  

The next session is on  Feb. 11 and will focus on the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, and how this federal statute can become an issue at the time of an OSHA inspection.  

All members are welcome to join the lunch viewing at noon on Feb. 11.  Just contact LeAnne in advance at 712-441-5308 (call or text) or info@wiadairy.com for an accurate lunch count.

"Dairy Care:  Cows, Calves and Caretakers" is the theme for the 2015 Dairy Days hosted by ISU Extension.  

Presentations will focus on the latest responsible therapy practices, including development in practices related to animal pain management and developing a research-based continuum of care from birth to death, including considerations related to culling, shipping or euthanasia.

In addition, there will be sessions on employee hiring, orientation and training, and a producer panel discussion at each session.

Sessions will be held in Rock Rapids on Feb 24 and Orange City on Feb 25.  Click here for the event flyer and here for the brochure.

WIDA will cover registration costs for dairy producer members.

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2015 annual meeting on January 26.  More than 80 people enjoyed dinner and social time and heard updates from WIDA leadership.  Mike Pearson, host of Iowa Public Television's Market to Market weekly television program delivered the keynote speech.

WIDA members also approved the nomination of Eric Van Wyk to the WIDA board of directors.

Thank you to outgoing board members Dan Harskamp, Junior Hoogland, Lee Maassen, and Lisa VanEss.  

The 12th Annual Midwest Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge will be hosted at Dordt College Feb 11-13.  Eighty students from 20 colleges and universities will be represented at the competition. Thank you to all the area farms and businesses who are hosting, supporting or volunteering at activities and events.  

WIDA and other members of the Farmers Alliance coalition will again be hosting an informational booth at the Siouxland Home Show in Sioux City February 26 through March 1.  Booth volunteers will hand out food samples and recipes, talk to consumers and help people answer questions from an agriculture trivia wheel.  

Volunteers are needed for three hour shifts throughout the show.  All volunteers will receive free admission to the show as well.  

Interested?  Contact LeAnne at 712-441-5308 or info@wiadairy for available times. 

ISU Extension is hosting a career awareness event for area high school students to learn about opportunities in animal science, especially beef and dairy related industries.  The sessions will be held March 11, 12, and 13 at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon.  More than 300 students from 20 counties are expected to attend half day sessions.

Volunteers from the dairy industry are needed to help with the presentations. This is a great opportunity to share your expertise and passion for the dairy industry with area high school students. 

Contact Cindy Cleveringa at 712-737-4230 or clever@iastate.edu for details or if you would like to volunteer. 

The theme of the 2015 Ag Summit at Dordt College will be "Cultivating the Farming Legacy" and feature speakers including Malcolm De Kryger, David Krahling (moderator), Phil Kooima, Darin Dykstra, Joel De Jong, and Dale Vande Berg.  Click here for more details.