Destination dairy goats: The 2024 ADGA National Convention comes to Wisconsin

Each year, the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) teams up with a state association to host the yearly ADGA National Convention.  This year, the Wisconsin Dairy Goat Association (WDGA) has the honor to partner with ADGA and host the conference in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, October 19 to 25.

The convention, themed Destination Dairy Goats, has seven days full of dairy goat education. Anna Thompson Hajdik, Local Host Liaison for the 2024 convention, vice president of WDGA, and the ADGA director of District 4 (upper Midwest region), commented on why producers should attend.

“The ADGA National Convention is a unique event that brings together dairy goat producers from across the country and the world.  Throughout the week, it will provide various educational opportunities aimed at adults and youth focused on topics such as dairy goat profitability, cutting edge herd management techniques, reproductive technologies, and the agricultural sustainability of dairy goats in a changing climate.”

“WDGA is very excited about hosting this conference and having it in Wisconsin, especially since Wisconsin is the leading state in dairy goats and goat milk production,” said Randy Adamson, 2024 WDGA president. “It’s a great way to connect with other producers from around the country.”

On Saturday, October 19, Sarah Varney, Vita Plus dairy goat specialist, will be giving a presentation on what to expect in the first five years as a dairy goat producer. She will focus specifically on the common challenges faced by a new goat owner, and how to combat them.

Commercial producers encouraged to attend on Thursday

As a commercial producer, if you can only attend one day, you will find great value in attending Thursday, October 24. All the presentations are geared toward the needs of commercial producers.

“We have a robust line up of sessions that will address topics such as sire selection, the financial benefits of utilizing extended lactations as a management strategy, agricultural lending options to make your commercial herd dream a reality, transitioning from cow to goat dairying, farm labor considerations, best practices for barn ventilation, and so much more,” Thompson Hajdik remarked.

Noah Litherland, Ph.D., Vita Plus dairy nutritionist, will offer two presentations:

• 10 a.m.: Effectively managing the dry doe in a commercial setting
• 1 p.m.: The fundamentals of barn ventilation for dairy goats

The day will culminate with a products reception in the evening that will showcase goat cheese from producers across Wisconsin and the nation.

Other events during the convention include:

• The prestigious ADGA Spotlight Sale is on Friday, October 25. A reception with a hors d’oeuvres, dessert and champagne will precede the sale.
• The ADGA Annual Convention Cheese and Body Products Reception will be held on Thursday, October 24. The event will also include an auction of goat-themed arts and crafts.

Vita Plus is a Founding Sponsor of the ADGA National Convention.  Stop by our booth in the trade show to learn how we can help you meet your farm and business goals by putting our nutritional expertise and wide range of services to work.