HARRISBURG, Pa. — U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse will speak at the 2009 Pennsylvania Dairy Profitability Forum Oct. 27 in the Banquet Hall of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, Harrisburg.
Scuse will discuss how USDA policies, regulations and services affect dairy farm families.
Hosted by the Center for Dairy Excellence and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the forum also features sessions on profitability and risk management.
Second forum
A second forum will take place Oct. 28 at the Clarks Mills United Methodist Church, located on Route 358, two miles west of Interstate 79, Exit 130.
Both events will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Scuse oversees USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency.
Hosted by the Center for Dairy Excellence and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Dairy Profitability Forum will also feature profitability and risk management experts David Galton of Cornell University and Phil Plourd of Blimling and Associates, a dairy market consulting firm.
Breakout sessions
Participants can also choose to attend two of the four following breakout sessions:
– “Is Your Budget Balanced?” led by Brad Hilty, Penn State Dairy Alliance.
– “Cows Don’t Lie: Three Key Areas Influencing Profitability,” led by Tom Lorenzen, All-Tech.
– “Understanding and Managing Your Risks,” with Alan Zepp, Center for Dairy Excellence, and Katie Rossini, Dairylea.
– “Sharing Ideas for Low/No Cost Profit Enhancers,” a panel discussion facilitated by Mike Evanish, MSC Business Services.
Registration
There is no charge to participate in the Dairy Profitability Forum, however, pre-registration is required. To receive a registration brochure, call the Center for Dairy Excellence at 717-346-0849.
Those interested can also register online at www.centerfordairyexcellence.org. Click on “Center for Dairy Excellence Events,” then on “Pennsylvania Dairy Profitability Forum.”
For sponsorship information, call the center at 717-346-0849.
