The 2017 Southeast Dairy Student Symposium was held Jan. 15-16 in Savannah, GA, in conjunction with the Georgia Dairy Conference. There were over 43 students and advisors in attendance representing Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Virginia Tech, Berry College, NC State University, the University of Georgia, and the University of Florida.

The SEDSS allows dairy science students from throughout the Southeast to comingle and connect with dairy producers and industry affiliates.

"The Southeast Dairy Student Symposium in Savannah has given me connections and opportunities within the dairy industry that I would not have had otherwise. Getting to hear from people in the industry about their jobs and how they got there as well as any advice they have for us has been amazing and helpful in our pursuit of jobs after graduation in the dairy industry," said Kayla Alward, UGA animal and dairy science student.

On Sunday evening, students were entertained at a social, played Holy Cow Bingo and met other dairy students. During the game, they had to make conversation and interact to find out facts about each other in order to fill up their bingo board. It was a hit!

Three breakout sessions were held for students to hear about internship and career opportunities in the Southeast dairy industry. Speakers discussed everything from personal career pathways to daily farm operations. Students heard from the following speakers: Dr. Ray Nebel, SE Select Sires, Kristi Fiedler, AVP US Technical Services Genex Cooperative, Inc., Natalie Adan, Food Safety Division Director, GA Department of Agriculture, Lindsey Rucks, Milking R Farm, Okeechobee, FL, and Carol Williams, WDairy LLC, Madison, GA.

The students also attended a trade show where they interacted with representatives from companies such as Suwannee Valley Feeds, Balchem, Mycogen Seeds, Alltech, MarSyt, Reid Brothers Irrigation and Equipment Company, and Stuhr Enterprises.

This two-day event was packed full with networking opportunities

 and industry information for the Southeast's future dairymen and dairywomen, and we cannot wait to see how it grows next year!

"The Southeast Dairy Student Symposium is an invaluable networking opportunity that allows students to explore many facets of the industry while getting to talk with industry professionals on a more personal level, both of which allow young people not only to see and learn about opportunities in the industry but provide them with the insight on how to seize those opportunities," said Dr. Jillian Bohlen, UGA assistant professor of animal and dairy science.

We greatly appreciate our sponsors for this event, Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation and Diamond V, as well as the students, advisors, speakers, and trade show exhibitors for participating and making this the best Symposium yet!

Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who this week became president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, told dairy industry leaders here today that they should call their Mexican customers and reassure them that they still want to do business with them. He also said that he left a 24-page memo for Sonny Perdue, President Donald Trump's nominee for agriculture secretary, and that he has spoken with Perdue.

Asked by The Hagstrom Report if he would follow former President Barack Obama and comment on Trump's executive orders, Vilsack declined. But in his speech to the International Dairy Foods Association's Dairy Forum, he told his new colleagues, "It is important to recognize that we all have an opportunity and a responsibility to reassure those we work with in Mexico that we will continue to work with them." Read more