April 4, 2008

Milk Quality Professionals Workshop to include CAFO information

The two-day annual conference will feature speakers covering topics related to milk quality, such as industry updates, mastitis control, milking procedures, state regulations and CAFO education.

"Purdue is working hard to get the best information out concerning how CAFOs impact surrounding communities," Ebner said. "We want people to be able to make educated decisions regarding any sort of animal agriculture expansion in Indiana."

Ebner's presentation will focus on research Purdue is doing on the potential impact of CAFOs on public health and will include topics such as the use of antibiotics and hormones and the effects of emissions on respiratory health. He also will describe new studies on possible interactions between odor and health.

Ebner said another conference objective is to teach attendees how to use Purdue's interactive Web site that features 20 different issue papers specifically on concerns people have about CAFOs and their communities.

"Many people have questions like 'How is a large livestock farm going to affect property values?' or 'How is it going to impact the tax base of the county?' or 'What about the health of my children?'" Ebner said. "The Web site is set up to answer many questions like these."

The CAFOs: Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Web site is at https://www.ansc.purdue.edu/CAFO.

The second day of the conference will consist of virtual dairy processing plant tours, and in the afternoon, attendees will have a chance to visit and tour Fair Oaks Farms in Fair Oaks.

"After the conference, attendees should have a better appreciation for how the entire industry is affected by rules and regulations and the arrival of larger dairy farms," said Mike Schutz, Purdue Extension dairy specialist and a conference coordinator. "The conference will also help attendees understand the current industry changes for dairy plants in Indiana."

Registration is $75 and the deadline to register is April 15. To download a registration form, visit https://www.ansc.purdue.edu/events/IMQPConfApril15.pdf. For registration information, contact Robin Fuhrman at (260) 483-6436, Ext. 3327. For conference information, contact Schutz at (765) 494-9478, mschutz@purdue.edu.

Writer: Hannah Brescher, (765) 494-8402, hbresche@purdue.edu

Sources:Mike Schutz, (574) 494-9478, mschutz@purdue.edu

Paul Ebner, (765) 494-4820, pebner@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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