The UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Dairy Production Conference has traditionally been held in Gainesville, attracting students, industry professionals, and dairy producers from around the state. But as dairy operations across the state and region grew busier and more geographically dispersed, attendance from producers, herd managers, and farm staff began to decline. Rather than let distance become [&#8230;]

The UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Dairy Production Conference has traditionally been held in Gainesville, attracting students, industry professionals, and dairy producers from around the state. But as dairy operations across the state and region grew busier and more geographically dispersed, attendance from producers, herd managers, and farm staff began to decline. Rather than let distance become a barrier, UF/IFAS Animal Sciences and Extension faculty reimagined the conference, taking it directly to the heart of dairy country in Florida and South Georgia.
This year’s conference unfolded over two consecutive days in Okeechobee, Florida, and Tifton, Georgia, drawing producers, students, and industry professionals from both regions. Attendees represented farms managing more than 50,000 dairy cows, along with numerous allied industry partners who support daily on-farm operations. Animal Science Ambassador Jenna Larson documented the event through an Animal Sciences Instagram takeover, giving followers an inside look at the conference experience.
But as dairy operations across the state and region grew busier and more geographically dispersed, attendance from producers, herd managers, and farm staff began to decline. Rather than let distance become a barrier, UF/IFAS Animal Sciences and Extension faculty reimagined the conference, taking it directly to the heart of dairy country in Florida and South Georgia.
This year’s conference unfolded over two consecutive days in Okeechobee, Florida, and Tifton, Georgia, drawing producers, students, and industry professionals from both regions. Attendees represented farms managing more than 50,000 dairy cows, along with numerous allied industry partners who support daily on-farm operations.
<img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-825 alignright lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="234" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okeechobeeco/files/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-14-at-10.06.17-AM-300x234.png">
Speakers delivered timely insights spanning production, genetics, and technology. Dr. Michael Hutjens examined strategies to improve milk components through targeted ration formulation. Dr. Geoff Dahl highlighted research from University of Georgia researcher Dr. Sha Tao on optimizing transition cow management. Dr. Izabella Toledo showcased smart cooling technologies that enhance cow comfort while conserving water. The program concluded with Dr. José E.P. Santos, who discussed the use of a maternal bovine appeasing substance to mitigate stress in dairy cattle and shared multi-university initiatives aimed at improving sustainability across the industry.
In all, the 2025 Dairy Production Conference brought fresh energy, new ideas, and renewed connection to the region’s dairy community. By meeting producers where they are, UF/IFAS strengthened its partnership with the industry and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the future of dairy production—one farm, one innovation, and one conversation at a time.
<img decoding="async" class="wp-image-809 alignleft lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="259" height="145" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okeechobeeco/files/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-14-at-9.33.41-AM-300x168.png"> <img decoding="async" class="wp-image-811 alignnone lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="266" height="148" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okeechobeeco/files/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-14-at-9.33.10-AM-300x167.png"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-813 alignnone lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="260" height="145" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okeechobeeco/files/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-14-at-9.32.54-AM-300x167.png">
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The UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Dairy Production Conference has traditionally been held in Gainesville, attracting students, industry professionals, and dairy producers from around the state. But as dairy operations across the state and region grew busier and more geographically dispersed, attendance from producers, herd managers, and farm staff began to decline. Rather than let distance become a barrier, UF/IFAS Animal Sciences and Extension faculty reimagined the conference, taking it directly to the heart of dairy country in Florida and South Georgia.
This year’s conference unfolded over two consecutive days in Okeechobee, Florida, and Tifton, Georgia, drawing producers, students, and industry professionals from both regions. Attendees represented farms managing more than 50,000 dairy cows, along with numerous allied industry partners who support daily on-farm operations. Animal Science Ambassador Jenna Larson documented the event through an Animal Sciences Instagram takeover, giving followers an inside look at the conference experience.
But as dairy operations across the state and region grew busier and more geographically dispersed, attendance from producers, herd managers, and farm staff began to decline. Rather than let distance become a barrier, UF/IFAS Animal Sciences and Extension faculty reimagined the conference, taking it directly to the heart of dairy country in Florida and South Georgia.
This year’s conference unfolded over two consecutive days in Okeechobee, Florida, and Tifton, Georgia, drawing producers, students, and industry professionals from both regions. Attendees represented farms managing more than 50,000 dairy cows, along with numerous allied industry partners who support daily on-farm operations.

Speakers delivered timely insights spanning production, genetics, and technology. Dr. Michael Hutjens examined strategies to improve milk components through targeted ration formulation. Dr. Geoff Dahl highlighted research from University of Georgia researcher Dr. Sha Tao on optimizing transition cow management. Dr. Izabella Toledo showcased smart cooling technologies that enhance cow comfort while conserving water. The program concluded with Dr. José E.P. Santos, who discussed the use of a maternal bovine appeasing substance to mitigate stress in dairy cattle and shared multi-university initiatives aimed at improving sustainability across the industry.
In all, the 2025 Dairy Production Conference brought fresh energy, new ideas, and renewed connection to the region’s dairy community. By meeting producers where they are, UF/IFAS strengthened its partnership with the industry and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the future of dairy production—one farm, one innovation, and one conversation at a time.

The UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Dairy Production Conference has traditionally been held in Gainesville, attracting students, industry professionals, and dairy producers from around the state. But as dairy operations across the state and region grew busier and more geographically dispersed, attendance from producers, herd managers, and farm staff began to decline. Rather than let distance become […]

UF Dairy Production Conference Goes on the Road

The Okeechobee Udder Bunch 4-H club stepped up in a big way this month, donating roughly 25 gallons of milk to a local food pantry to help meet increased community needs during the government shutdown. The donation came earlier than their usual annual contribution, as food banks across the region reported rising demand and falling [&#8230;]

The Okeechobee Udder Bunch 4-H club stepped up in a big way this month, donating roughly 25 gallons of milk to a local food pantry to help meet increased community needs during the government shutdown. The donation came earlier than their usual annual contribution, as food banks across the region reported rising demand and falling supplies.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-861 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okeechobeeco/files/2025/11/image-225x300.png"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-857 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okeechobeeco/files/2025/11/image2-300x300.png"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-851 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okeechobeeco/files/2025/11/image5-225x300.png">
Milk is consistently one of the most requested items at food banks, yet it is also one of the least donated. Its short shelf life is challenging for food pantries to keep in stock. By providing milk in both one-gallon and half-gallon containers, the Udder Bunch 4-H members ensured that families of all sizes could benefit.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-853 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="169" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okeechobeeco/files/2025/11/image4-169x300.png"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-847 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okeechobeeco/files/2025/11/image7-300x300.png"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-845 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okeechobeeco/files/2025/11/image8-225x300.png">
For the club’s youth, the donation also carried personal meaning. As participants in the dairy project, members spend the year learning about animal care, milk production, and the responsibilities of raising dairy animals. Donating milk connects their hands-on work directly to the real-world impact dairy products have in the community.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-843 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okeechobeeco/files/2025/11/image9-225x300.png"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-839 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okeechobeeco/files/2025/11/image11-225x300.png"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-835 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okeechobeeco/files/2025/11/image13-225x300.png">
Food pantry volunteers were grateful for the donation, noting that fresh milk is a rare and welcome addition to their offerings. For many families, it is an essential staple, particularly for households with children. Milk provides 13 essential nutrients that benefit consumers of all ages.
The Udder Bunch 4-H club plans to continue supporting the community throughout the year, but members say they were proud to make this early donation when the need was greatest. Through their generosity, they demonstrated not only what 4-H youth learn, but the heart and service that define the organization’s mission.

The Okeechobee Udder Bunch 4-H club stepped up in a big way this month, donating roughly 25 gallons of milk to a local food pantry to help meet increased community needs during the government shutdown. The donation came earlier than their usual annual contribution, as food banks across the region reported rising demand and falling supplies.
  
Milk is consistently one of the most requested items at food banks, yet it is also one of the least donated. Its short shelf life is challenging for food pantries to keep in stock. By providing milk in both one-gallon and half-gallon containers, the Udder Bunch 4-H members ensured that families of all sizes could benefit.
  
For the club’s youth, the donation also carried personal meaning. As participants in the dairy project, members spend the year learning about animal care, milk production, and the responsibilities of raising dairy animals. Donating milk connects their hands-on work directly to the real-world impact dairy products have in the community.
  
Food pantry volunteers were grateful for the donation, noting that fresh milk is a rare and welcome addition to their offerings. For many families, it is an essential staple, particularly for households with children. Milk provides 13 essential nutrients that benefit consumers of all ages.
The Udder Bunch 4-H club plans to continue supporting the community throughout the year, but members say they were proud to make this early donation when the need was greatest. Through their generosity, they demonstrated not only what 4-H youth learn, but the heart and service that define the organization’s mission.

The Okeechobee Udder Bunch 4-H club stepped up in a big way this month, donating roughly 25 gallons of milk to a local food pantry to help meet increased community needs during the government shutdown. The donation came earlier than their usual annual contribution, as food banks across the region reported rising demand and falling […]

Okeechobee 4-H Udder Bunch Donates Milk to Food Pantry

Florida’s history and heritage was the theme of a joint 4-H camp hosted by Highlands and Okeechobee counties on July 9. The camp brought together youth ages 8 to 12 to learn about Florida’s history, cook traditional recipes, visit historic sites, and to learn about how the Kissimmee River has shaped both the landscape and [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_11877" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-11877" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-11877 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="4-H campers learn how GPS works and learn to navigate with it." width="1024" height="768" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/files/2025/07/IMG_8344-1024x768.jpeg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-11877" class="wp-caption-text">Learning how GPS works, about accuracy, and how to navigate with it.</figcaption></figure>
Florida’s history and heritage was the theme of a joint 4-H camp hosted by Highlands and Okeechobee counties on July 9.
The camp brought together youth ages 8 to 12 to learn about Florida’s history, cook traditional recipes, visit historic sites, and to learn about how the Kissimmee River has shaped both the landscape and its inhabitants.
<figure id="attachment_11871" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-11871" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-11871 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Youth creating maps of a river from a series of aerial photographs." width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/files/2025/07/IMG_8279-300x225.jpeg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-11871" class="wp-caption-text">4-H campers use a series of historic, aerial images to map the changes to the Kissimmee River&#8217;s path over time.</figcaption></figure>
In addition to traditional camp activities, they partnered with the UF’s School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences’ <a href="https://ffgs.ifas.ufl.edu/geomatics-extension/">Geomatics Extension</a> program to introduce surveying and mapping to their investigation into the important river ecosystem.
The Kissimmee River is the boundary between these two counties and was also the backdrop for this week of camp, with campers visiting natural and historic sites on both sides of the river.
The originally meandering river was channelized in the 1960s to reduce flooding, but even before the project was completed, the ecological impacts of the project became clear.
In 1999, the Kissimmee River Restoration Project was started, backfilling section by section of the river channel to return the river to its natural, wandering path through the oak and palm hammocks.
Campers participated in hands-on activities to explore their surroundings throughout time by learning geospatial skills and methods and by applying them to their day of camp. They performed time-series analysis to identify changes to the river’s path by analyzing historical images in the Fort Bassinger area to see when back fill had occurred in the restoration project and how that had diverted the river’s path. They also created thematic maps of the Edna Pearce Lockett Homestead whose location and development were influenced by the river while exploring the historic location and learned how GPS works while geocaching and visiting the Hickory Hammock Wildlife Management Area to see the restored ecosystem.
<figure id="attachment_11879" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-11879" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-11879 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="4-H campers successfully locate a geocache using a navigational grade GPS unit." width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/files/2025/07/IMG_8357-300x225.jpeg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-11879" class="wp-caption-text">Finding a geocache!</figcaption></figure>
While the day’s activities were specific to Highlands and Okeechobee’s County Line Camp, the spatial reasoning skills and career insights are widely applicable. Every location has its own unique geography and has its own history to be explored!
If you are interested in bringing a geospatial curriculum to one of your youth education events, please reach out to the Geomatics Extension program at <a href="mailto:geo-extension@ifas.ufl.edu">geo-extension@ifas.ufl.edu</a>.
To learn more about Geomatics Extension click <a href="https://ffgs.ifas.ufl.edu/geomatics-extension/">here</a>.
The Geomatics Extension program is part of the <a href="https://ffgs.ifas.ufl.edu/">UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences</a>. Our mission is to provide surveying education and workforce development programs to both the Florida surveying industry and the general public. As part of the Cooperative Extension Service, we work statewide to extend the reach of the Geomatics Department; providing resources and education to the surveying industry and the general public.

Learning how GPS works, about accuracy, and how to navigate with it.
Florida’s history and heritage was the theme of a joint 4-H camp hosted by Highlands and Okeechobee counties on July 9.
The camp brought together youth ages 8 to 12 to learn about Florida’s history, cook traditional recipes, visit historic sites, and to learn about how the Kissimmee River has shaped both the landscape and its inhabitants.
4-H campers use a series of historic, aerial images to map the changes to the Kissimmee River’s path over time.
In addition to traditional camp activities, they partnered with the UF’s School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences’ Geomatics Extension program to introduce surveying and mapping to their investigation into the important river ecosystem.
The Kissimmee River is the boundary between these two counties and was also the backdrop for this week of camp, with campers visiting natural and historic sites on both sides of the river.
The originally meandering river was channelized in the 1960s to reduce flooding, but even before the project was completed, the ecological impacts of the project became clear.
In 1999, the Kissimmee River Restoration Project was started, backfilling section by section of the river channel to return the river to its natural, wandering path through the oak and palm hammocks.
Campers participated in hands-on activities to explore their surroundings throughout time by learning geospatial skills and methods and by applying them to their day of camp. They performed time-series analysis to identify changes to the river’s path by analyzing historical images in the Fort Bassinger area to see when back fill had occurred in the restoration project and how that had diverted the river’s path. They also created thematic maps of the Edna Pearce Lockett Homestead whose location and development were influenced by the river while exploring the historic location and learned how GPS works while geocaching and visiting the Hickory Hammock Wildlife Management Area to see the restored ecosystem.
Finding a geocache!
While the day’s activities were specific to Highlands and Okeechobee’s County Line Camp, the spatial reasoning skills and career insights are widely applicable. Every location has its own unique geography and has its own history to be explored!
If you are interested in bringing a geospatial curriculum to one of your youth education events, please reach out to the Geomatics Extension program at geo-extension@ifas.ufl.edu.
To learn more about Geomatics Extension click here.
The Geomatics Extension program is part of the UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences. Our mission is to provide surveying education and workforce development programs to both the Florida surveying industry and the general public. As part of the Cooperative Extension Service, we work statewide to extend the reach of the Geomatics Department; providing resources and education to the surveying industry and the general public.

Florida’s history and heritage was the theme of a joint 4-H camp hosted by Highlands and Okeechobee counties on July 9. The camp brought together youth ages 8 to 12 to learn about Florida’s history, cook traditional recipes, visit historic sites, and to learn about how the Kissimmee River has shaped both the landscape and […]

Okeechobee County

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UF Dairy Production Conference Goes on the Road

Okeechobee 4-H Udder Bunch Donates Milk to Food Pantry

4-H campers learn geospatial skills

Okeechobee County

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