Transition dairy cow workshop - Plainview

The University of Minnesota Extension Dairy Team invites you to attend the upcoming Transition Cow Workshop to learn more about maximizing the value of your animals during the transition period. This workshop will be held at Emerald Spring Dairy, Inc.

Emerald Spring Dairy is operated by Maurie, Rita, Darrin, and Brandon Young. They milk 1,200 cows on 2 sites and farm 2,200 acres near Plainview. The farm features a cross-ventilated freestall barn with a double 16 parlor, a sand separator, an automatic calf feeder and a stationary TMR mixer.

Registration starts at 12:30 p.m. with the workshop starting at 1 p.m. Participants will move through three stations, including the following topics: 

• Monitoring transition cow success
  • What are some metrics producers can focus on to monitor fresh cows?
  • Learn more about technology being used on farms today to better manage the transition period.
  • Review fresh cow reports for the host farm
• Maximizing the value of animals leaving the farm
  • The value of animals leaving the dairy herd (beef x dairy calves, cull cows) now represents historic proportions of dairy farm income. 
  • In this workshop, you will learn how to maximize the value of these animals leaving the herd. Topics may include: beef x dairy sire selection, timing of calf and cow sales, and assessing fitness for transport.
• Kind euthanasia 
  • Considerations to simplify end-of-life decisions for cows and calves will be discussed. Take away practical tips for decision-making, methods, and disposal options.
• An optional tour of the dairy farm will be offered after the transition cow workshop ends at 2:30 p.m. 

Light refreshments and snacks will be provided. 

This workshop is approved for continuing education credits towards the FARM Animal Care program requirements. The workshop will be delivered in English. Spanish translation will be provided. A Spanish translation of this news release is available.