HARRISBURG, Pa. — The feature-length documentary film World Without Cows will be shown at the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit on Wednesday, February 4. The documentary explores the complexity behind a seemingly simple question: Are we better off in a world without cows?
Through interviews with farmers, ranchers, scientists and others on the front lines of agriculture and science, award-winning journalists Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth take viewers on a global journey to deepen their understanding of everything cows contribute and what the world might look like without them.
Enjoying the special screening of the documentary is included with attendees’ Summit registration. On Thursday morning, both filmographers and Dr. Holder Vaughn will lead a keynote session titled “World Without Cows – A Deeper Dive Behind the Scenes” where they will dive into their journey traveling to 40 locations around the world for this project.
“Our annual Dairy Summit conference brings together dairy producers and allied-industry representatives who want to grow their skillsets and network with individuals across the dairy industry. We’re looking forward to seeing this powerful documentary and hearing first-hand from the filmographers and scientists who created it. This should be an insightful and thought-provoking conversation about the impact of cattle on economies, ecosystems, cultures and human nutrition,” said Erica Mowrer, the 2026 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit chair and dairy farmer from Huntingdon County, Pa.
The 85-minute documentary aims to broaden the conversation, encouraging viewers to think more deeply about how cattle impact our world and discover that there’s much more to consider when it comes to cattle and the vitality of our planet. The accompanying keynote session will be a science-led discussion that highlights the profound dependence on cattle in many regions of the world, the challenges of nourishing an ever-expanding global population, the essential value of animal protein, and the relationship between cattle and the environment.
In addition to the World Without Cows keynote session and movie night, the following keynote speakers will join the Summit stage in February:
- Owning your future is not DNA-driven with Michael Hoffman
- Forging ahead with innovation: A producer showcase with Brody Stapel of Wisconsin, the 2024 Young Dairy Farmer of the Year
- Controlling your own destiny: A small business showcase
- Inspiring pathways to profitability: A producer panel with Jim Hertzler, Donny Bartch, Matt and Megan Fry
- The road ahead: FMMO reform and dairy pricing with Sara Dorland
In addition to these keynote sessions, the Summit will include three tracks of breakout sessions and one track of discussion groups for peer-to-peer conversations. Many of these sessions will be led by dairy producers from Pennsylvania and beyond.
Visit www.padairysummit.org to register. Producer discounts will automatically be applied during the registration process. Contact the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit Business Office with questions or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. Call 814-355-2467 or email info@padairysummit.org.
