When planning how and where to invest in markets and business capacity in the near future, dairy processors and producers will first want to consider what the next five years will hold for the dairy industry. How will continuously changing market information and price volatility in other commodities affect dairy markets, input costs and demand expectations?

In the Dairy Market Outlook session at Dairy Forum 2012, a panel of industry leaders will examine the key drivers affecting the future of the U.S. dairy industry. The panelists will be Tim Hunt, global dairy strategist for Rabobank International; Phil Plourd, president of Blimling and Associates, Inc.; and Sue Taylor, vice president, dairy policy and procurement, for Leprino Foods Company.

Dairy Forum 2012 will be held January 15-18 at the La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, Calif. The deadline for making hotel reservations is December 11.

There are still rooms available at the special IDFA room rate of $270 per night in the privately leased villas and condos adjacent to the resort. Leasing guests will have access to all the amenities offered to resort guests, including the fitness center, the resort pools, restaurants, shops, the spa and golf. Complimentary golf cart transfers between these units and the main resort will be available.

Make reservations here or call the resort at (760) 777-4880. When calling, refer to IDFA's Dairy Forum to receive the special room rate.

Register for Dairy Forum here.

For more information, contact Patrick Crosson, IDFA meetings registrar, at pcrosson@idfa.org.