Dairy profit seminars, Feb. 23-27, set at five places across Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. – In times of low milk prices, dairy farmers watch costs and boost production.

Five Dairy Profit Seminars could help bring changes.

Topics range from cutting costly calfhood diseases and better cow comfort to grazing vs. confinement.

The Missouri Dairy Association and University of Missouri Extension join for annual help sessions. “Every milk producer can find something of use,” says Joe Horner, MU dairy economist.

Meetings dates, places and contacts are:

Feb. 23, Pork Palace, State Fair Grounds, Sedalia; Pettis County Extension, 660-827-0591.

Feb. 24, Springfield Livestock Market Center, Springfield; Reagan Bluel, 417-847-3161.

Feb. 25, MSU State Fruit Research Center, Mountain Grove; Ted Probert, 417-741-6134.

Feb. 26, Cape Girardeau County Extension Center, Jackson; extension office, 573-243-3581.

Feb. 27, Hagie’s Nineteen Restaurant, Union; Ken Bolte, 636-583-5141.

Lunch registration must be made by calling local contacts early. Pay on arrival.

Meeting times at each place help twice-a-day milkers: 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Horner says.

Registration and exhibits open at 9:30 a.m. At 10, first speaker is Hugh Chester Jones, University of Minnesota, on “Accelerated Feeding of Calves.” He returns at the end to talk on “Use of Grazing vs. Confinement for Growing Post-Weaning Heifers.”

Scott Poock, MU veterinarian, shows videos on improved cow comfort.

Dave Drennan, Missouri Dairy Association, gives an update on activities. Sponsors have exhibits on view all day.

Dairy team members tell of producer response to a dairy revitalization survey. This is part of a study on growth potential of Missouri dairy.

Bob Gentry, DVM from Multimin USA, tells of calf immune support.

MU ag engineer Teng Lim shows latest manure management tips. Reagan Bluel talks on “Keys to Transition Cow Success.”

Horner says, “We cover much in a short time and answer questions, but we promise to have producers headed home at 3:15.”

He asks all to help organizers on lunch counts.

All who register early can bring a sample of their total mixed ration.  They get a free analysis from the MU feed lab.