Released June 4, 2008

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Minnesota will host a series of eight field days at successful dairy operations located in various areas of the state in June and July. This will be a great opportunity to learn about the dairy operation’s features and to ask questions and learn from one another. This event is sponsored by the Minnesota Dairy Initiatives Program.

Cost is $5 per person per location unless otherwise stated. No pre-registration is required. At each location, the agenda includes a description of the operation by the host family, a discussion of topics related to the features of that dairy, a question and answer session, and a tour of the facilities.

Dairies included in this year’s field day itinerary (and their main feature) are Goblirsch Dairy (robotic milking) on June 7 at 10:30 a.m., Dan Fitterer (compost barn) on June 12 at 10:00 a.m., Robert and Jeanette Sheehan (replacement heifers) on June 19 at 10:00 a.m., Shamrock Farms (freestall organic production) on June 26 at 10:00 a.m., Jerry and Linda Jennissen (digester system with manure solids for bedding) on June 27 at 10:00 a.m., DeSu Holsteins (heifer facilities) on July 1 at 7:30 p.m., Hans Kroll Farm (low-cost swing parabone parlor) on July 15 at 10:00 a.m., and Harlan and Jenny Poppler (freestall barn with over 34,000 pound per cow average) on July 16 at 10:30 a.m.

For more information, including more details about the farms and directions visit http://www.extension.umn.edu/dairy or contact Jim Salfer (320) 203-6093, salfe001@umn.edu; or Chuck Schwartau (507) 536-6301, cschwart@umn.edu.

-30-

http://www.extension.umn.edu/extensionnews/2008/fieldday.html

Contacts: Jim Salfer, (320) 203-6093, salfe001@umn.edu,

Chuck Schwartau, (507) 536-6301, cschwart@umn.edu