Hi, MariahBusta!

With the NICC’s movement to more online communication, the College has asked us to delete old files on our computers. I came across a “Parlor Talk” column that I used to write for the Foundation Newsletter in the mid-2000’s. I forwarded this to Mariah and she was curious to its origin. I relayed to her that as a youth growing up on my family’s dairy in Lanesboro, Minn. (pre-internet of course) I would wait for the mail to arrive and I would directly go to Sid Hartman’s sport column in Minneapolis Tribune. My favorite was his ending with “Jottings”. Several brief, one sentence comments on current happenings in Minnesota sports. This inspired me to emulate this at the Dairy Center. I will now be sharing my own version titled “Parlor Talk” to keep readers up-to-date on current happenings.

Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving!

Dave Lawstuen
Chair, Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation

What's Happening at Iowa's Dairy Center

Iowa's Dairy Center Hosts Successful A.I. Course

Iowa’s Dairy Center, along with Select Sires MidAmerica, hosted a successful artificial insemination (A.I.) course with nine students earning certification. The three-day class covered aspects of bovine reproduction and included actual insemination practice on cattle at Iowa's Dairy Center. Registration is now open for the next A.I. class scheduled for March 9-11, 2021.

Iowa Dairy Ambassador Program Accepting Applicants 

The Iowa Dairy Ambassador Program is an educational and leadership opportunity for those who are passionate about dairy. Dairy Ambassadors will have the opportunity to connect with consumers and share dairy’s story while networking with their peers and industry professionals. Dairy Ambassadors will spend a year representing dairy farmers in their respective states. At the end of their year, they are eligible to apply for up to a $1,000 scholarship.

Take a Virtual Tour of Iowa’s Dairy Center

The Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation recently partnered with Iowa Farm Bureau to create a 360? tour of Iowa’s Dairy Center. The virtual tour takes viewers inside the Dairy Center's barns and shares information about the life of a dairy cow. The tour will be shared through Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom program where students will be able to experience the farm with virtual reality goggles. You can check out the video on YouTube. View.

Parlor Talk

Parlor Talk features bite-sized bits of news from the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation and Iowa’s Dairy Center.

• October 24 marked the 20th anniversary of the opening of our parallel/herringbone milking parlor. An estimated six million milk harvest events have been completed by our students over the past two decades.
• Best wishes and thanks to longtime Dairy Center bookkeeper Deb Hageman who has recently started a new position with the Decorah Veterinary Clinic.
• The tradition continues. Three NICC freshman have family ties to Dairy Science Outstanding Alumni recipients. Savannah Schmitt, daughter of Glen Schmitt, is an Ag Business major; Kaylee Gibbs, daughter of Chris Gibbs, is a Dairy Science major; and Caleb Brumm, nephew of Jennifer Brumm Bentley, is a Dairy Science major.
• The Dairy Science Advisory Committee has added a two-credit Livestock Nutrient Management course to degree requirements. This course was developed and is taught by former NICC faculty Dan Lane.
• Additional calf stalls are being added to the west wing of the calf barn to increase capacity to 60 calves.
• Thanks to Chris Hines of Einck Dairy near Ossian for hosting the Dairy Science students on a tour of their dairy. Their sand lane, maternity barn and new group housing calf barn were fantastic to see.
• The robot Holsteins continue to average in the mid 90’s daily with a 4.0% fat, while the Jerseys are at 68 lbs. at 5.0% fat on the robot.
• The Dairy Center was nationally recognized by the U.S. Holstein Association by receiving the Progressive Genetic Award for the ninth consecutive year. 
• The successful early harvest has resulted in a “green carpet” rye cover crop going into the winter.

NICC News

Students A.I. Certification

Earlier this month, Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Dairy and Beef Science students earned their artificial insemination certificate from Select Sires MidAmerica. The training consisted of both classroom instruction and hands-on learning with cows. Thanks to Ted and Gerald at Select Sires MidAmerica for being great instructors!

New Round of Grants to NICC Help Fulfill Mission and Service to the Local Community

NICC continues to secure additional resources that allow the College to serve the community and fulfill its mission while navigating the challenges of the pandemic. The College has received several major federal and state of Iowa grants, more than $4.2 million, with much of the funding made possible by strong partnerships with local private and public sector organizations. Read more.

NICC to Offer Five-Week Winterim Term Starting Dec. 17

Students will have a new option to earn transferable college credits over their winter break by enrolling in a short “Winterim” term at NICC in December. The five-week session is designed for students who may encounter longer winter breaks while home from their colleges during the holiday season. Students will also receive 20 percent off their Winterim tuition. The session begins Dec. 17 and concludes Jan. 21, 2021. Learn more. 

Dairy Profile: Amanda Gillespie

Amanda (Hendrickson) Gillespie, 2010 NICC Dairy Science Technology graduate, was recently featured with her family in the Fillmore County Journal. The Gillespies shared their family’s story and offered advice to young farmers interested in organic farming. Amanda is the daughter of Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation board member Todd Hendrickson. Read more.

Industry News

The 2020 Women in Ag Leadership Conference, “Leadership in Unprecedented Times,” will be held virtually on November 30 and December. Register.

Apply now for USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2. Apply.

Registration is now open for the 2020 Iowa State Dairy Association annual meeting. Register.

Annual Dairy Discussions Seminar on Dec. 1 will focus on “Manure Management Practices and Opportunities in Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)." Register. 

Pro Ag Outlook and Management webinar series will be hosted Dec. 7-11. Learn more. 

Calendar of Events

Visit our website to see all upcoming events and continuing education courses.

Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation Board Meeting
Dec. 18 | 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Iowa's Dairy Center

Bovine Artificial Insemination Class
Mar. 9-11 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Iowa’s Dairy Center

Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation 
1527 Hwy. 150 S., Calmar, Iowa
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