PRESTON, Minn. — Now that we have officially reached summer, it is time for the University of Minnesota Extension’s 2018 Summer Dairy Field Days. These field days focus on a range of topics from barn designs and dry cow management to farm transitions and finances. The field days are great opportunities for local producers and the general public to learn from University experts and most importantly from each other.
Southeast Minnesota will be hosting two of field days on this year’s lineup. Both field days are open to the public. Local dairy producers or those considering getting into the business are especially encouraged to join us for these events.
On July 11 Minnigan Hills Dairy Farm of Caledonia, MN will be hosting a field day focused on farm transitions. Minnigan Hills Dairy farm is owned and operated by John and Karyl Diersen along with their sons Jayson and Josh. They milk 150 registered Holsteins in a double 8 parallel parlor. They recently added a second freestall barn which houses fresh cows, up-close cows, a calving pen and calves from 3 to 12 months. They raise corn, beans and hay on 600 owned and rented acres.
The Minnigan Hills field day will run from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM on July 11. Minnigan Hills Dairy Farm can be found at 8245 County Road 3, Caledonia, MN 55921. Attendees will have the opportunity to judge a class of dairy cows and mingle at the beginning of the event. Formal presentations will being at 7:30. A light meal and dairy related snacks will be provided. Please RSVP by calling Houston County Extension at 507-725-5807.
On August 9 Rita & Maurie Young & son Darin will host another field day at Emerald Spring Dairy in Wabasha County. Emerald Spring Dairy milks 1000 cows three times a day in their double 16 parlor. They use sand bedding and a sand separation system, group calf housing and automatic feeders, and have a newly constructed cross ventilated barn.
The Emerald Spring Dairy runs from 12:30-3:30pm on August 9. Emerald Spring Dairy can be found at 10578 Dittrich Road, Plainview, MN 55964. Tom Anderson, Farm Business Management Instructor at Riverland Community College, will discuss dairy profitability trends, areas to improve efficiency, benchmarks, and milk price protection at the event. Please register at https://z.umn.edu/fieldday8-9 or call 507-457-6440.
— Mike Cruse, UMN Extension Educator, Fillmore/Houston Counties
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