Released Dec. 26, 2007

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Dairy farmers, contract growers, custom feed crop producers and others involved in the dairy industry can attend one of nine regional meetings on dealing with high feed costs scheduled during January and February. The workshop series is sponsored by the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Dairy Team.

Participants will learn how to develop cost-effective strategies for feeding dairy cattle in the face of rising feed prices.

Program dates and locations are: Jan. 22 at the Radisson Hotel, Grand Rapids; Jan. 23 at the Dearth Center at the Branch County Fairgrounds, Coldwater; Jan. 24 at the Forward’s Conference Center/Quality Inn, West Branch; Jan. 29 at the Wildwood Restaurant, Hermansville; Jan. 30 at Alpena Community College, Alpena; Jan. 31 at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center, Cadillac; Feb. 12 at the Ubly Heights Country Club, Ubly; Feb. 13 at the Gratiot-Isabella RESD Building, Ithaca; and Feb. 14 at the Community Room at the Ingham County Fairgrounds, Mason. All meetings will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Topics to be discussed include the causes and impact of high feed prices, feed price projections, feeding byproducts, the economics of milk replacer and using partial budgets as a financial tool.

MSU Extension educators will lead a discussion panel of local farmers on how they are dealing with feed costs. The workshop will conclude with a session on evaluating farm management decisions related to increased feed costs.

The cost of the event is $30 for the first person and $20 for each additional person from the same farm or agribusiness. The fee includes lunch, a resource book and materials. Registration must be received seven days prior to each workshop.

For a registration brochure, contact any county MSU Extension office or visit the MSU Extension Dairy Team Web page at http://www.dairyteam.msu.edu.

The workshop is sponsored by the MSU Extension Dairy Area of Expertise Team and the Farm Information Resource Management (FIRM) Team.

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http://anrcom.msu.edu/press/120107/122607_dairyfeedworkshops.htm

Contact: Laura Probyn, (517) 432-1555, ext. 171