BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Illinois Milk Producers Association (IMPA) and University of Illinois Extension will highlight innovative dairy technology and management practices during the annual Dairy Tech Tour.
This year’s tour is taking participants to Beer’s Robo Holsteins Dairy Farm, located at 6424 Liebig School Road, Mascoutah, IL, 62258. The guided tour will be led by farmer Marvin Beer and Drs. Phil Cardoso and Derek Nolan from the University of Illinois.
“These tours provide an excellent opportunity for Illinois dairy farmers and industry representatives to get a look at the latest and greatest dairy technology and management,” said Tasha Bunting, manager, Illinois Milk Producers Association. “The best part is participants can really talk with dairy farmers who have implemented these systems and learn from one another.”
Beer’s Robo Holsteins Dairy Farm has roots dating back to 1966 when Clarence and Florence purchased the land after moving from Germantown. It is currently operated by their son, Marvin G. Beer, his wife, Maria, and their two sons, Marvin Dean and Mark Beer, daughter-in-law Sara, and grandchildren Wyatt, Avery and Luke. In January 2011, the Beer family started in a newly constructed flush barn with four Lely A3 Next robotic milkers. Today, the farm milks 196 cows with a 90-pound tank average of 3.9% fat and 3% protein with a somatic cell count of 110,000 cells per milliliter.
The Dairy Tech Tour will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 14. The farm tour will include discussions on management practices led by the Beer family, as well as a research update session led by Dr. Phil Cardoso.
On-farm tour highlights include: Meet the calves, sand lane/manure management, lactation diet and barn structure, Lely robotic milking, dry cow management and care.
The tentative tour agenda is as follows:
10:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Guided farm tour
12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch at the farm
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Dairy research update
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Self-guided farm visit
The event is free to attend, and pre-registration is not required. Visit https://www.illinoismilk.org for more information on the tour or stay connected @ILMilkProducers.
Contact the IMPA by calling 309-557-3703 or emailing contact@illinoismilk.org for sponsorship opportunities.
— Illinois Farm Bureau
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