On May 2nd we held our annual Spring Meeting on the first morning of the California Animal Nutrition Conference. Funds are available for increasing scholarships above the 3 graduate and 3 to 5 undergraduate scholarships ($2,000 and $1,000 each respectively). CA ARPAS are heavily involved in a Research project looking at the feeding value of almond hulls, including further work looking at contamination levels. These are a very important feed for the California dairy industry. The research group involves university academics, students and industry members working with the Almond Hull Board. A wonderful example of how ARPAS membership brings together opportunities to collaborate across this wide spectrum. On August 23rd we shall hold our annual Bang for Your Buck trap shoot – our major fund raiser of the year. October 24th and 25th is our annual Continuing Education Conference – “Developments for California Animal Production Systems Over the Next 5 to 10 Years”. This will cover technologies and challenges that will impact us including: Air Quality Legislation, Feed Enzymes – while monogastric enzymes are widely accepted, ruminant products are developing rapidly, Robotic Milking Machines, Plant Extracts/Essential Oils, The Microbiome – Improving Production and Controlling Disease, Transition Cows – Past, Present and Future. It should be a very interesting couple of days.
Officers:
Past President – John Martin
President – Peter Williams
President-Elect – Kevin Leahy
Secretary – Renee Smith
Treasurer – Dave Ellis
Director at Large – Gabriella Acetoze
Director at Large – Steve Riesenbeck