Hi, MariahBusta!

When is the last time you’ve visited our website? This spring, we did a total refresh of content on the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation’s website, making it easier to learn about the Foundation, our farm and our educational programs. Plus, visitors can even book tours online. I encourage you to check it out!

Best,

Mariah Busta
Coordinator, Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation

What's Happening at Iowa's Dairy Center

Iowa’s Dairy Center Hosts Successful Breakfast on the Farm

The 11th annual Breakfast on the Farm was held on Saturday, June 26. Even with the rain, the day was successful as we connected more than 1,000 people to agriculture. Be sure to check out the photos from the day.

Based on our survey data, here's how visitors left the event feeling about agriculture:

• 100% of visitors left with a very positive/positive opinion on the way modern dairy farmers protect the environment.
• 98% of visitors left with a very positive/positive opinion on the way dairy farmers take care of dairy cattle.
• 98% of visitors left with a very positive/positive opinion of modern dairy farms.
• 100% of visitors rated Breakfast on the Farm as excellent or good.

And here are some of their comments:

• I learned a lot about corn and dairy cows- I loved it!
• We love Breakfast on the Farm!
• Plan on coming back!
• Awesome event, good food!
• This was a neat way to see how cows milk and eat. Good breakfast!
• This is an awesome place!
• Very neat and clean operation. Food was great!
• Thank you! We love this event!
• It was the BEST!

Save the date for next year! The 12th Annual Breakfast on the Farm will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022.

Iowa's Dairy Center is Open for Tours

In the “moo”-d to learn more about dairy? Iowa’s Dairy Center is the perfect family-fun attraction. Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of a real dairy farm. Step inside the barn to watch robots milk cows, see where cows live and more! This interactive tour is available for all ages and groups of any size. Learn more. 

Registration Open for Summer A.I. Classes

Sept. 17-19 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Iowa’s Dairy Center

This is a three-day hands-on class for those who wish to artificially inseminate their own cattle or gain experience to work for others. The class will cover all aspects of bovine reproduction, from anatomy and hormones to heat detection. Students have actual insemination practice on cattle at Iowa's Dairy Center. The minimum age requirement for this class is 16. The class is taught by Select Sires.

Parlor Talk

Parlor Talk features bits of news from the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation and Iowa’s Dairy Center. The monthly column is written by Dave Lawstuen, NICC Agriculture Instructor and Chair of Iowa’s Dairy Center. 

• The Holstein herd at Iowa’s Dairy Center was classified in June resulting  in over 60% of the herd scoring excellent, very good or good plus in the mammary system.
• First cutting for the 60 acres of BMR sorghum cocktail mix is slated for next week with anticipation of a second harvest in September.  
• The Dairy & Agriculture Foundation recently signed up with NRCS to continue the no-till/cover crop practices at the farm in 2022.
• Third cutting alfalfa was harvested at the farm over the weekend yielding 98 high-moisture bales from 48 acres. 
• The Foundation recently sold 18 market steers and heifers in June ranging from high choice to prime and averaged $1.90/lb on the grid.
• The price for June milk sold from the parlor and robot herds  averaged $20.00/cwt.
• NICC Dairy Science alumni Megan Kregell and Ted McAlister were recently featured in Dairy Herd Management highlighting Megan’s return to her roots in dairy farming and her involvement promoting dairy on TikTok. Megan also was a recipient of the Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Leadership Award.  
• Where are they now? Dairy Science alum Jason LeGassick is the Sales and Marketing Manager for BECO Dairy Automation Inc. in Hanford, Calif.

NICC News

Dairy Science Club leads Hand Milking a Cow at Breakfast on the Farm

The NICC Dairy Science Club gave visitors at Breakfast on the Farm the unique opportunity to try their hand at milking a cow. Due to the rain, the cow milking activity was moved to the parlor. The students interacted with the public, answered questions and were there to provide tips and tricks for successful cow milking.

Dairy Science Students Awarded Central Plains Dairy Foundation Scholarship

Maya Bossom of Waukon and Kayleigh White of Monona were each awarded with a Central Plains Dairy Foundation Scholarship. The two $500 scholarships are awarded to students majoring in Dairy Science Technology at Northeast Iowa Community College in 2021. Students must be from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, or North Dakota; demonstrate dairy leadership, initiative, integrity, commitment to a career in a dairy-related discipline; and be in good academic standing. This scholarship is made possible by the Central Plains Dairy Foundation and the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation. 

Classes Start August 23

Thinking about furthering your education? It's simple to get started! Learn more about the application process and the steps required to enroll. Fall semester begins on Monday, Aug. 23. Learn more.

Dairy Profile: Tanner Mashek

Tanner Mashek of Calmar was awarded with the 2021 National Brown Swiss Outstanding Young Breeder Award at the National Brown Swiss Convention. He is the herdsman at Hilltop Acres, an 8^th generation farm home to 420 registered Brown Swiss. Hilltop Acres markets their genetics worldwide. Tanner is a graduate of the Agriculture Business program at NICC. Congratulations, Tanner!

Industry News

Opening up the barn doors. The 11th annual “Breakfast on the Farm” at Iowa’s Dairy Center was a success in terms of educating the public. Read more.

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team is gathering a collection of smartphone apps, software, and spreadsheets that you use to operate your dairy farm! Take survey.

Did you miss the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team’s recent webinar, "Saving Energy on your Farm"? Watch online.

Deadline fast approaching for Conservation Reserve Program general signup. Read more.

Revitalizing an interest in dairy. Haub family of Boone county recruits 4-Hers to show their animals. Read more.

Bring Undeniably Dairy to your local community with funding from Midwest Dairy available for organized dairy groups and dairy farmers. Read more.

Calendar of Events

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

Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation Board Meeting
Aug. 27 | 12 p.m. | Iowa's Dairy Center

Bovine Artificial Insemination Class
Sept. 17-19 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Iowa’s Dairy Center

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