By Eric Jenks, Special for NEAFA
The Herd Health and Nutrition Conference will be taking place as three hour afternoon sessions on April 5th-6th as a virtual conference. Presented by NEAFA and PRO-DAIRY, the event features live presentations on a wide variety of subjects, including an informative panel discussion on innovated methods to managing during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The panel will feature Andy Dugan, of Gold Star Feed and Grain, Dr. Kaitlyn Lutz, of Keseca Veterinary Clinic, and Tonya Van Slyke, Executive Director of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA), and will be moderated by Corwin Holtz of Holtz-Nelson Dairy Consultants and NEAFA Board member.
“The pandemic has required us to be focused and creative as we continued to serve our dairy farm customers, “ said Andy Dugan, Vice President and General Manager of Gold Star Feed and Grain and former President of NEAFA. “As essential workers, my team of dedicated employees remained committed to our company’s mission despite the peril they were individually facing. We proved how to stay healthy while on the front lines as essential workers. I am extremely grateful for my dedicated team.”
Dugan’s feed career began in 1982 when he became employed by Wayne Feeds as a dairy feed salesman. “Wayne Feeds provided great training and gave me opportunities in sales management as well as the opportunity to move to Iowa,” said Dugan. “ In 1997 I joined the IL Richer Co as Sangerfield Area Manager. John Mitchell mentored me, and gave me several opportunities for growth. He expected me to give back to our industry and guided me to membership in NEAFA. We purchased the Agway mill in 2002, and operated it as Sangerfield Grain Company, LLC. During 2012 Gold Star Feed was formed, and I was named VP and General Manager.”
Dr. Kaitlyn Lutz, earned her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2011. Since graduating, Lutz’ career includes working as a livestock practitioner in academia and private practice in Colorado, Pennsylvania, New Zealand and New York. Currently based in Geneva, NY, as an associate veterinarian with Keseca Veterinary Clinic, Lutz is passionate about education opportunities for farm workers, as well as dairy cattle health and welfare.
Tonya Van Slyke, is the Executive Director of, NEDPA, a roll she took over in 2013. During her tenure with the organization Van Slyke, has represented NEDPA on the Ag Workforce Development Council, FARM Workforce Development Task Force, NY CAFO Workgroup, NYS Milk Market Advisory Council, NYS OSHA Workgroup, and Water Quality Workgroup. She has also represented dairy members on the Strategic Interagency Task Force on Lessening Obstacles to Agriculture (SILO), and the NYS Ag & Markets/DOL Ag Labor Advisory Workgroup.
HHNC will also feature presentations by Dr. Gerard Cramer, of the University of Minnesota, Dr. Heather White, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Chris Wolf of Cornell University, Dr. Julio Giordano of Cornell University, and Dr. Mike Lormore, of Zoetis. Topics focus on cow health at the macro and metabolic level, a retrospective analysis of how the pandemic effected the dairy market at large, and ways to maximize herd performance, profitability, and the drivers of financial success at a dairy.
For more information or to register, visit: https://cals.cornell.edu/pro-dairy/events-programs/conferences-seminars/herd-health-and-nutrition-conference.