Vermont DHIA

Vermont DHIA is committed to furthering education of DHIA records and services among our members, their consultants, and Vermont DHIA technicians and employees. We periodically hold workshops for PCDART and records training, work with schools and other student groups to foster understanding and use of DHIA records among the next generation of producers and consultants in the industry, and write articles for newspapers and newsletters about Vermont DHIA services, records use, and events in the organization.

Producer, Technician, and Consultant Workshops

We hold workshops annually for dairy producers, DHIA technicians, and consultants to further their understanding and use of PCDART herd management software and DHIA records. Often joined by a staff member from DRMS, workshops are typically held in numerous locations throughout the northeast in the winter or spring and can focus on beginner/intermediate PCDART training for new users or advanced topics for consultants and experienced users. Laptop computers are often available during these meetings to allow hands-on participation in the topics being discussed.

We also work with individual producers and consultants as well as consulting teams from various organizations to provide additional training where necessary.

Together, along with DRMS, we periodically hold advanced two-day PCDART and Records Analysis workshops for consultants and other experienced users of PCDART. Typically these meetings involve speakers from around the country who are well versed in various aspects of the program or tools that interface with PCDART.

Students Groups and Schools

Whether working with 4-H'ers or college students on the use of PCDART and DHIA records, or providing technical assistance to the Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge, Vermont DHIA staff and technicians work with numerous schools and groups throughout the Northeast.

Over the past few years, here are some events and groups we've worked with:

• Vermont Technical College
• University of Vermont / CREAM
• Miner Institute
• SUNY Cobleskill
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Sterling College
• University of New Hampshire
• Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge Events
• UVM 4H Dairy Quiz Bowl

Articles and Newsletters

Vermont DHIA staff and technicians frequently write Vermont DHIA relevant articles for Country Folks, a regional weekly agricultural newspaper. You may see our articles in other local newsletters around the state and region as well, covering various DHIA related topics.

National DHIA Scholarship Fund

Vermont DHIA supports the National DHIA Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to members, employees, and their children. For more information, please visit the National DHIA website at http://www.dhia.org/scholapp.pdf.