Dairy Modernization
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Program Description
Minnesota is the nation's sixth largest milk-producing state. In 1934, Minnesota had 1,893,000
dairy cows. Since then, cow numbers have declined to less than
500,000 cows today. Currently
Minnesota has 5,886 dairy farms (MDA, March 2004), down from
about 15,000 farms ten years
ago (MN Dairy Statistics). However, the Minnesota dairy industry
continues to be over a 2.7
billion dollar segment of the states economy and the largest
portion of the total agricultural
economy, accounting for more than 15% of the total value of
agriculture production in
Minnesota. What happens to the dairy industry in Minnesota
is of great economic and food
production concern to the people of Minnesota. There are several
reasons for the decline in the
state's dairy industry; however, education can have a major
impact on whether dairy continues
as a viable Minnesota industry. One area of utmost importance
is educating producers and
industry professionals on new technologies and modernization
of dairy operations to enhance
profit and lifestyle of dairy farm families.
Serving...
- Dairy Producers
- Dairy Industry Professionals
- Dairy Managers, Feeders, and Milkers
- Dairy Families
- Forage Producers
Specific Goals
- Train dairy industry professionals to more effectively
provide technical support to dairy producers in the state.
This results in a multiplier effect of our educational
efforts.
- Improve producer skills in dairy production management
in order to increase their
profitability, improve feed management, raise healthy
calves, provide better care for their
cows, and improve milk quality.
- Increase awareness of
factors affecting cow well-being and behavior.
- Provide practical solutions for dairy families at the crossroads of their business to
smooth the transition and help maintain the sustainability of the dairy industry in MN.
Members
- Marcia Endres, Program Coordinator [info]
- Neil
Broadwater, Educator [info]
- Hugh Chester-Jones, Content Specialist [info]
- Kevin
Janni, Content Specialist [info]
- Dennis
Johnson, Content Specialist
- Jim Linn, Content Specialist [info]
- Jim Paulson, Educator [info]
- Paul
Peterson, Content Specialist [info]
- Jeff
Reneau, Content Specialist [info]
- Margot
Rudstrom, Content Specialist [info]
- Jim
Salfer, Educator [info]
- Chuck Schwartau, Educator [info]
Cooperators
- Minnesota
Department of Agriculture
- Minnesota Milk Producers Association
- Midwest Dairy Association
- Minnesota Dairy Initiative
- MN DHIA
- Midwest Forage Council
- MNSCU
- Regional University Staff
- Private industry (includes but it is not limited to AgStar, Pfizer, Monsanto, Elanco,
Hubbard Feeds, VitaPlus, Land O'Lakes, Cargill Animal Nutrition, West-Central Soy
Cooperative, AMPI, First District Association, and other companies)
What we do...
- Minnesota Dairy Days
- Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management
Conferences
- Dairy Expo - St. Cloud
- Dairy Extension Web Site (www.ansci.umn.edu/dairy)
- Dairy
Diagnostics Toolbox
- Transition Cow CD
- Feeding Management Workshop
- Train-the-trainer-- On Farm
Dairy Diagnostics
- Quality Count$ Program
- Milker School (English and Spanish)
- Calf Management
Workshop
- Successful Dairy Systems: Dairy Families at
the Crossroads
- Cow
Comfort and Behavior Program
- Dairy Forage Management
Program
- Grazing Workshops
- Pasture Walks
This is an INTERNAL PAGE intended for EXTENSION STAFF ONLY.
Please direct any web questions to the communications office at
efans@umn.edu.
