Dairy Wellbeing Workshop to Focus on Cattle Health and Beef Quality

The 2026 Dairy Wellbeing Workshop, presented by Professional Dairy Producers (PDP), will bring dairy producers and their teams together in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to explore practical strategies for improving animal health, welfare and beef quality.

The workshop will be conducted in two identical sessions on Wednesday, Nov. 18, and Thursday, Nov. 19, at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Registration will begin at 8 a.m., with each day concluding at 3:45 p.m. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be available throughout the sessions.

A major feature of the workshop will be an exclusive tour of the American Foods Group beef processing facility. Participants will be able to follow the journey of a cull cow from the farm through the harvest floor and into the cooler. The tour is designed to demonstrate how animal care decisions made on dairy farms can influence carcass quality, value and outcomes at processing.

Following the plant tour, participants will take part in a facilitated discussion with industry experts. The discussion will examine the factors that determine cull cow carcass value and explain why some animals or carcasses may receive discounts or be condemned.

The program will also focus on animal health management and timely intervention. Dr. Simon Peek, BVSc, Ph.D., DACVIM, MRCVS, clinical professor of large animal internal medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, will present a session titled “Prevent the Down Cow: Protocols to Improve Outcomes.”

His presentation will examine the anatomical and physiological changes that occur when a cow becomes unable to stand. It will also highlight why prompt intervention is important and provide practical guidance for developing clear response protocols that can be implemented on dairy farms of different sizes.

Pain recognition and management will be another key focus of the workshop. Dr. Jennifer Walker, DVM, Ph.D., co-founder and chief animal welfare officer with Kinder Ground, will lead a session titled “Recognize Pain: Better Decisions for Better Care.”

The session will help producers identify signs of pain associated with common dairy cattle conditions, including calving, lameness and injuries. It will also address practical considerations for using available pain-management tools to support better animal care decisions.

The workshop aims to connect animal welfare practices on the farm with the eventual outcomes observed in the beef processing sector. By giving producers an opportunity to observe processing operations directly, organizers intend to provide greater insight into how animal condition and handling can affect carcass value.

Cassandra Strupp, a dairy producer from Richfield, Wisconsin, described the combination of the processing plant tour and educational sessions as a particularly impactful learning experience for dairy producers.

Preregistration is required to attend the Dairy Wellbeing Workshop. The program is accredited for up to 5.75 Dairy AdvanCE (DACE) continuing education credits and up to 5.0 ARPAS credits.

Participants can register through the Professional Dairy Producers website or contact PDP at (800) 947-7379. Producers can also follow @dairyPDPW on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn for digital updates before and during the event.

The workshop highlights the growing connection between animal health, welfare, pain management and the economic value of dairy cattle at the end of their productive lives. For dairy producers, the program provides an opportunity to examine these issues through both on-farm management guidance and direct exposure to beef processing operations.

Event Details