April 10, 2007 (Reston, Va.) – Twenty Maryland & Virginia Young Cooperators (YCs) from seven states explored all that Athens, Ga., the University of Georgia and the Cabaniss Family Dairy in Maxeys, Ga., have to offer dairy farmers as part of the cooperative’s annual YC conference. Held in early March, this three-day conference provides dairy farmers ages 18-40 the opportunity to see the latest trends, to hear from industry experts and to forge bonds with fellow peers.

YCs gathered at the University of Georgia’s Center for Continuing Education where the university’s head of Animal & Dairy Science, Dr. Steve Nickerson welcomed the young farmers to campus. He gave YCs a detailed overview of the university’s dairy research efforts and academic programs. Dr. Steven Stice, a world renowned expert on animal cloning, discussed the purpose and benefits of animal cloning as well as many of the cloning technology projects conducted at the university.

More than 20 young farmers from seven states gathered in Maxeys, Ga., for a tour of the Cabaniss family dairy farm as part of Maryland & Virginia’s Annual Young Cooperator Conference. YCs explored the 1,200-cow dairy including the 60-cow rotary parlor and ended the visit with a barbecue dinner at the home of fellow YCs Jim and Wendy Cabaniss.

Chad Schofield, parlor manager for North Florida Holsteins, shared with YCs his experience overseeing milking of 3,200 cows. Schofield stressed the importance of keeping the parlor on schedule and the value of an effective bonus program for employees.

Keynote speaker, Ron Hanson, with the University of Nebraska, spent a half-day working with YCs on farm transition. His presentation, “You Can Buy The Farm But Just Remember I Still Own It,” thoroughly engaged YCs and made them think about family dynamics with regard to passing the farm to future generations. “The stories and examples Dr. Hanson shares really inspires you to make sure your farm transition plan is set in stone,” said YC Sherry Patterson of Chestertown, Md.

Southeast United Dairy Industry Association (SUDIA) held a session on responding to tough questions, in particular consumer and reporter questions about raw milk, milk from cloned cattle and rBST-free milk. Three YCs put their newly acquired knowledge to the test undergoing mock interviews with Rob Hainer, a SUDIA communications manager. Each interview was videotaped and played back for all participants to watch.

The group traveled to Maxeys, Ga. for a visit to member Henry Cabaniss’ farm. Henry and his sons milk 1,200 cows in a 60-cow rotary parlor and farm 1,500 acres. YCs arrived in time to watch the end of the afternoon milking and observe the carousel in operation. Jim, Henry’s son, showed YCs the newly built solids separator that allows them to capture 90 percent of the sand used for bedding and recycle it. The group ended the day with a barbecue dinner on the banks of a private lake owned by the Cabaniss family.

Always a conference favorite, Maryland & Virginia YCs had an opportunity for one-on-one time with the cooperative’s top management, Assistant General Manager Allen O’Hara and President Steve Graybeal during the town hall session. YCs heard about Maryland & Virginia’s activities in 2006 and asked numerous questions about the cooperative’s strategies and opportunities for the future.

Three YCs vied for the opportunity to represent Maryland & Virginia as the Outstanding YC for 2007. Congratulations are in order for Mark and Lauren Mosemann of Warfordsburg, Pa., the winning couple. The Mosemanns will be invited to attend cooperative board meetings and to represent the cooperative on National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF) YC Advisory Council in 2008. They will also attend NMPF’s annual meeting this fall in Orlando, Fla. with runners up Tom Nesbitt & Vickie Mills, of McConnellsburg, Pa., and Jared Franklin from Bradyville, Tenn.

Keynote speaker Ron Hanson from the University of Nebraska challenged YCs to plan their farm transitions wisely and to consider the family dynamics involved with passing the farm onto future generations.

YCs Lauren Mosemann, Warfordsburg, Pa., and Kevin Satterwhite, Newberry, S.C., (far left) smoothly handled a mock interview with reporter Rob Hainer from SUDIA regarding the necessity to label or not label milk and dairy products from cloned cattle.

Jim Cabaniss (far right) explains and points out how his 60-cow rotary parlor functions to more than 20 visiting YCs from seven states.

YCs get an up close and personal look at the Cabaniss family’s latest farm improvement, a solids separator that allows the Cabaniss family. According to Jim Cabaniss (far right) they are able to collect 90 percent of the sand used for bedding and recycle it.

Dr. Steven Stice, world renowned expert on animal cloning, shared with YCs the various purposes and benefits of animal cloning as well as many of the cloning technology projects conducted at the university.

YCs Amy and David Coltrane of Pleasant Garden, N.C., and Mark and Lauren Mosemann of Warfordsburg, Pa., put their heads together to resolve a scenario involving a media interview about milk and dairy products from cloned cattle.

Maryland & Virginia's Annual Young Cooperator (YC) Program is geared for young members ages 18-40. The program offers two annual events, a three-day professional development conference and a family-oriented one-day Summer Break. Each event gives the cooperative’s future leaders the opportunity to hear from engaging industry experts, to network with peers and to explore a variety of farming styles. Participating young have the chance to learn more about the cooperative business and to discuss the dairy industry in a relaxed atmosphere. To become a YC, contact Maryland & Virginia’s communications department at 1-800-552-1976.

Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers is a milk marketing and processing cooperative that represents 1,500 dairy farmer-owners from Pennsylvania to Georgia. The cooperative includes three fluid processing plants: Marva Maid in Newport News, Va., Marva Maid of Landover, Md., and Maola Milk and Ice Cream in New Bern, N.C.; manufacturing plants in Laurel, Md., and Strasburg, Va.; and an equipment and farm supply business in Frederick, Md.