Dairy
University of Minnesota Extension 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.
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.
We work with
- Dairy farmers
- Dairy industry professionals
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
- Environmentally friendly parasite control for cattle
- 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.
Use our feed cost calculator to help you meet cost and nutrition goals.
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
Hosted in February by Extension and the Carver County dairy team, 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.
Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference
The Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference presents the latest research on issues concerning the dairy industry. It is a collaborative effort of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, University of Illinois Extension, University of Minnesota Extension, and University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Summer field days are held at locations across Minnesota and provide opportunities to visit successful dairy operations. Learn about each dairy's unique features from Extension and industry experts and other farmers.
I-29 dairy programming is a collaboration between the Extension services of the University of Minnesota, Iowa State University, South Dakota State University, and the dairy industry trade associations in those states.