Dairy Days dates, locations scheduled
Posted 1/2/03

The dairy cow of the future, robotic milking and cow health will be topics at Minnesota Dairy Days at eight locations in January. The University of Minnesota is offering the events, which are designed for producers and others interested in dairying. The program will be similar at each site.

Registration at each location will open at 9:30 a.m. The program will begin at 10 a.m. with a University of Minnesota research update. Then there will be a session on keys to success in dairying, including people considerations and cow considerations. Speakers at the various locations will be U of M regional Extension educators Lee Gross, Chuck Schwartau, Vern Oraskovich and Jim Salfer, and U of M Extension dairy scientists Marcia Endres and Jim Linn. Mike Hodgman, a veterinarian with Monsanto Dairy Business of St. Louis, Mo., will wrap up the session with a presentation on cow health.

There will be three presentations in the afternoon: lowering somatic cell counts by U of M Extension animal scientist Jeff Reneau; designing the cow of the future by U of M animal scientist Les Hansen; and an overview of robotic milking by Endres or Salfer.

A question-and-answer session will wrap up the day, with adjournment scheduled for 3 p.m.

The Dairy Days registration fee is $25 per person and $15 for each additional person from the same farm. Pre-registration is not required; however some locations have limited space. You may register at the door, but please call the local coordinator at least a day in advance so that a meal count can be planned.

Dates, locations and local coordinators are:

--Jan. 7, McIntosh, Community Center, Gene Krause, (218) 634-1511;

--Jan. 8, Perham, VFW, Vince Crary, (218) 385-3000;

--Jan. 9, Mora, American Legion, Jim Salfer, (320) 255-6169;

--Jan. 10, Willmar, Health & Human Services Bldg., Jim Salfer, (320) 255-6169;

--Jan. 14, Edgerton, Pizza Ranch, Tim Dolan, (507) 237-4100;

--Jan. 15, Lewiston, Community Center, Chuck Schwartau, (651) 385-3100;

--Jan. 16, Gaylord, Sibley Co. Courthouse, Tim Dolan, (507) 237-4100;

--Jan 17, Cannon Falls, Grandpa's Garage Restaurant, Chuck Schwartau, (651) 385-3100.

The Minnesota Dairy Days website is at http://www. ansci. umn.edu/dairy/dairydays/ 2003mndairy days.html.