DFA's Annual Meeting Focuses On Members, Future Of Dairy

Kansas City, MO – More than 1,000 dairy farmers and industry leaders will be in Kansas City, Mo., March 20-21 to discuss the future of dairying as part of the 2007 Annual Delegate Meeting of the Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA).

The keynote speaker, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, will speak about the dairy industry, including issues such as the Farm Bill proposals, make allowances and price increases. Johanns is scheduled to speak at the start of the annual meeting's general session 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 20 in Exhibit Hall B at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center, 2345 McGee Street.

The two-day event at the Hyatt also will be an opportunity for members of the nation's leading dairy cooperative to elect board members and to adopt the cooperative's resolutions for 2007. The annual meeting is the culmination of a year-long process involving DFA's members in the governing and resolution process at the local level. It is through this localized process that DFA's direction is determined and the nearly 21,000 members maintain control of their cooperative.

Other scheduled activities for the meeting, which focuses on the theme, "Members: Our Foundation. Our Focus.", include a trade show and a special celebration of 150 years of Borden's products. Borden's cheese is manufactured by DFA's American Dairy Brands.

It's also a time for members to learn the most up-to-date information about what the future holds for the dairy industry. During the meeting, members will hear from DFA's Board Chairman Tom Camerlo and DFA's President and Chief Executive Officer Rick Smith, both of whom will give their reports between 12:45-3 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, in Exhibit Hall B at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center.

Other distinguished guests will include:

• Lowell Catlett, dean of the College of Agriculture and Home Economics at New Mexico State University, on "Tomorrow's Agriculture: Six Trends You Can't Afford to Miss."(Between 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, Exhibit Hall B, Hyatt Regency Crown Center)
• Jerry Kozak, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, on "Dairy Promotion and Research: Focused to Grow Dairy Sales." (Between 7:45-9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, Exhibit Hall B, Hyatt Regency Crown Center)
• Tom Gallagher, chief executive officer at Dairy Management Inc., on "Dairy Promotion and Research: Focused to Grow Dairy Sales." (Between 7:45-9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, Exhibit Hall B, Hyatt Regency Crown Center)

Smith says that this annual meeting is an important time for the cooperative because it allows members a voice in the operation of the cooperative and gives members the information they need to make critical decisions about their operations. "The dairy industry is a dynamic, ever changing industry," Smith says. "In order for our members' businesses to thrive, they need to know about the latest governmental issues and newest technology. This annual meeting is just one of the many ways we communicate with members."

SOURCE: Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.