Southwest Dairy Day scheduled May 8 in Dublin
Contact(s): Dr. Ellen Jordan, 972-952-9201, e-jordan2@tamu.edu
Choyia Holley, 254-968-4144, c-holley@tamu.edu
The event is free and does not require pre-registration. It will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. at the Sierra Dairy, 9175 FM 2156.
This year’s event features the new technology incorporated at Sierra Dairy to improve cow comfort, said Dr. Ellen Jordan, Texas AgriLife Extension Service dairy specialist based in Dallas.
“There are a number of activities that producers can participate in,” said Dr. Todd Bilby, AgriLife Extension dairy specialist in Stephenville.
Producers will be able to tour cross-ventilated calf and cow barns, observe a rotary milking parlor in action and view a cross-breeding operation. In addition, demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. will be presented for two hours of Dairy Outreach Program Area educational credit for those producers with environmental permits, Bilby said.
Dr. Saqib Mukhtar, AgriLife Extension agricultural engineering specialist based in College Station, will discuss how weeping walls work as an alternative manure separation technology.
Dr. Sam Feagley, AgriLife Extension soil environmental specialist also based in College Station, will demonstrate the proper calibration of a manure spreader so producers can more accurately match the amount of nutrients to crop needs.
A number of vendors also will display products during the day, Jordan said.
A bounce house will be available for children to play in during the day. Lunch will be provided for participants by Southwest Dairy Farmers and DairyMAX.
The Southwest Dairy Day is hosted by the Vander Horst family of Stephenville and AgriLife Extension. For more information on the event or to purchase booth space, contact Choyia Holley at 254-968-4144 or c-holley@tamu.edu . For more information, visit http://texasdairymatters.org .
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