Contact: Ashley Andre, 608-224-5002, ashley.andre@wisconsin.gov
Jim Dick, Communications Director, 608-224-5020, jim.dick@wi.gov
MADISON – Mark your calendar for the fifth annual grazing seminar series at World Dairy Expo. The popular series will be held on Friday, October 4.
The events will include four seminars starting at 10:00 am in the Mendota 3 Room and a reception from 3:00 to 6:00 pm in the Waubesa Room at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. There is no charge to attend the seminars or reception. World Dairy Expo admission is required.
Planned seminar topics this year include:
● What’s new in grass and legume varieties? by Drs. Geoff Brink, Mike Casler, and Heathcliff Riday from the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center.
● Genetics for the whole cow: breeding for grazing systems moderated by Dr. Les Hansen of the University of Minnesota with representatives from six cattle genetics companies.
● Benefits of grazing replacement heifers by Dr. Dave Combs of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Combs will summarize recent research on the performance of pasture-raised heifers once they join the confinement herd.
● Supplementation for the grazing cow: corn and alternatives by Dr. Kathy Soder of ARS and Dr. Brad Heins the University of Minnesota. The seminar will discuss on the economics, herd health and milk production response of corn and alternatives such as flaxseed and molasses.
The grazing events at World Dairy Expo are a partnership between the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), University of Wisconsin-Extension, University of Minnesota-Extension, and private farmers and businesses. Sponsors this year include Byron Seed, CRV, Crystal Creek, DFA Dairy Grazing Services, the GrassWorks Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program, Horizon Organic, Midwestern BioAg, Normande Genetics, Organic Valley, Prairie Creek Seeds, Spaulding Laboratories, Taurus Service, and Hoof-Tec.
For more information on being a sponsor or attending the events, contact DATCP’s Laura Paine at 608-224-5120 or laura.paine@wi.gov. To learn more about World Dairy Expo, visit http://worlddairyexpo.com/.
