Dairy
The University of Minnesota Extension dairy team educates dairy producers and other dairy industry professionals on new technologies and the modernization of dairy operations to enhance the profitability and quality of life for dairy farm families.
We strive to understand our stakeholders’ needs and develop solutions to their challenges through research and education.
Our goal is to help make Minnesota’s dairy production systems more effective and profitable, while protecting the environment and maintaining or improving the quality of life for animals and the people who work in the dairy industry.
Dairy production in Minnesota
Discover Extension research on nutrition management, the transition period and cow milking facilities. Learn about tested dairy farm business practices, trusted cattle estrus detection options, and how to use crossbreeding to improve sustainability. Improve your biosecurity and cow comfort practices to prevent disease on your farm.
- Biosecurity for cattle operations
- Operations Contingency Plan for Beef Producers
- Operations Contingency Plan for Dairy Producers
- These forms will automatically download to your device. You will need the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC to complete and save the form.
Business tools and budgeting
- A2 milk and A2 genetics
- Dairy cost of production calculator
- Margin compression affects dairy producers
Robotic milking units
Robotic milking webinars: Marcia Endres and Jim Salfer interview dairy producers who have robotic milking systems to provide an overview of their operations.
Value-added opportunities (videos)
- Cattle vaccine basics
- Cow comfort and why it matters
- Heat stress in dairy cattle
- How overstocking affects cow performance
- Managing flies on cattle farms
- Managing biting gnats around poultry and livestock
- Preparing your cattle for severe winter weather
- Prevention and treatment of milk fever and subclinical hypocalcemia
- Stocking density for outdoor cow areas
- When to help a cow or heifer that is calving
Learn more about animal diseases and emerging topics from the .
Visit the site for information and instructions for submitting a sample for disease diagnosis.
Best practices to raise healthy dairy calves from birth. Learn proper colostrum management and how to increase calf survival chances. Also, discover trusted cattle estrus detection options and how to use crossbreeding to improve sustainability. Improve your biosecurity practices to prevent disease on your farm.
Carver County Dairy Expo
The Carver County Dairy Expo introduces production benchmarks and resources for better herd management. The annual event covers dairy industry outlook, management techniques and dairy technologies. Hosted in February by the University of Minnesota Extension and the Carver County dairy team, the expo draws over 300 area dairy producers and dairy industry professionals.
The I-29 Moo University is a collaborative effort among the Extension services of the University of Minnesota, Iowa State University, and South Dakota State University, and the dairy industry trade associations in those states.