The Dairy Center Connection.

Hi, MariahBusta!

Fall is almost here and planning is well underway for the annual Tri-State Ag & Dairy Expo, which will be held at Iowa's Dairy Center on Thursday, Sept. 16. The Expo will once again welcome nearly 350 FFA members from Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin high schools will participate in the event’s activities, including dairy cattle judging and dairy foods contests. In addition, several educational sessions will be held, including a grain bin rescue with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety. The Big Show will also be broadcasting on-site. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more information about the upcoming event.

Best,

Mariah Busta
Coordinator, Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation


What's Happening at Iowa's Dairy Center

Museum Donation Showcases Iowa Dairy Farm Family

Siblings Ken Schroeder and Karen Stewart recently donated a ribbon collection to Iowa’s Dairy Museum. The display highlights the achievements of a cow named Segis Pontiac May Beets and her impact on three purebred Holstein herds in northeast Iowa in the 1920s and 30s. May was raised by Arbie Schroeder who raised purebred Holsteins from 1928-1973 on the family farm between Postville and Clermont. See the ribbon display and read the full story of May found in Iowa’s Dairy Museum.  

Iowa’s Dairy Center Celebrates 15 Years at SSNHA Partner Site

For 15 years, Iowa’s Dairy Center has partnered with Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) to tell the story of agriculture. Based on a recent economic impact study, 3.1 million people visit the SSNHA annually. Iowa’s Dairy Center is proud to be a partner site and preserve and interpret the story of American agriculture.

See you at World Dairy Expo!

Will you be attending World Dairy Expo this year? Be sure to swing by and say hello! Our booth will be located in the Main Concourse of the Coliseum at booth 29tt. See you there!


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. 

  • Iowa’s Dairy Center returned to 3x milking in the parlor this week. Due to a labor shortage because of COVID-19, the parlor had been 2x for the past 15 months.
  • The farm staff also began 3x calf feeding. Part-time employee and Dairy Science alumni Melanie Johnson has been leading the conversion to three times daily shifts.
  • Future-Found Griff Fern was recently named to Holstein Association USA's top 10,000 genetic cows list with a CTPI of 2640.
  • The first beef calf of this year's calving season was born Monday. This heifer calf is sired by Flat Top and weighed 60 pounds. The daughter and dam are doing great. 
  • Students moisture tested the Dairy & Agriculture Foundation's corn silage crop, which tested in the mid-70's. The students will be collecting more samples and will continue to moisture test this week.
  • Iowa State Fair report: 
    • Many NICC students and alumni exhibited at the dairy, beef, sheep and swine shows.
    • Representatives from the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation along with NICC President, Dr. Wee, met with the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Deputy Secretary Julie Kenney and on the fairgrounds. 
  • Minnesota State Fair report:
    • Dairy Science alum Matt Henkes was the official judge for the Ayrshire and Milking Shorthorn Open Show.
    • Dairy Science Technology student Savannah Bonow showed the reserve grand champion Brown Swiss heifer and was 5th overall in showmanship.
    • Ag Business student Karter Jax placed third overall in the Holstein steer show.
  • The 2021-2022 academic year began Monday, Aug. 23 with very strong classes in the Agronomy, Ag Business, Beef Science and Dairy Science programs. 
  • The Dairy and Beef Science students attended a stockmanship workshop in West Union last week. The program featured fascinating presentations on cow handling and movement. 


NICC News

NICC Invites the Community to Fall Fest 

Thursday, Sept. 9 | 5-8 p.m. | Calmar Campus

Northeast Iowa Community College is inviting everyone to celebrate the start of the school year at Fall Fest. Community members are welcome to attend and enjoy music, inflatables, rides, carnival games for kids of all ages and fireworks at dusk. Highlights include the US National Guard rock climbing wall, warrior jousting, dunk tank, cotton candy and the Moo Mobile. Local musician, Beau Timmerman, will perform from 5:30 - 7 p.m. 

The Fall Fest dinner will be pulled pork/all beef hot dogs, chips, bars, root beer and water. Cost for Fall Fest is by free-will donation. Tickets are available for purchase for 25 cents each, and most activities require only one or two tickets. The activities and meal will be located in the center of campus with parking available nearby. Read more.

NICC Student Selected as Princess Kay Finalist

Emeliya “Mia” Dose of Plainview, Minn. was selected as a Princess Kay of the Milky Way finalist. She is among ten girls that competed for the title last week. Mia, a finance student at NICC, did not grow up on a dairy farm, but immersed herself into the dairy community. Read more.

Employers Invited to the Agriculture Career Fair

Tuesday, Oct. 26 | 9-11 a.m. | Iowa’s Dairy Center

The agriculture faculty at NICC invite you to the annual Agriculture Career Fair. Students from the following majors will be in attendance: Ag Business, Ag Finance, Ag Production, Agronomy Beef Science and Dairy Science. Set up can begin at 8:15 a.m. Each employer will be provided a 2x4 table. There is no cost for employers to attend. Learn more.

Mark Your Calendars for Agriculture and Animal Sciences Program Preview

Friday, Nov. 5 | 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Iowa’s Dairy Center

This program preview day is designed for students interested in programs in Agriculture and Animal Science fields at NICC. Faculty are proud to showcase our College, Iowa's Dairy Center with state of the art necropsy lab and expand your understanding of the programs, career opportunities and earning potential in each career field. The program preview option is similar to a regular visit day with the addition of being customized to provide in-depth information on a specific area of study. Learn more.


Dairy Profile: Blake Courtney

Blake Courtney of Decorah is the new Dairy Judging Coach at Northeast Iowa Community College. Blake will be working with students in preparation for national contests, including World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. and the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky. Blake is a credit analyst at Viking Bank & Trust and a graduate of University of Northern Iowa. Welcome, Blake!


Industry News

Dairy goat webinar continues with a look at judicious use of antibiotics. Read more.

Farm stress and mental health resources are available online. Read more.

68th Iowa Dairy Princess hails from Clinton County. Read more.

WW Homestead Dairy celebrates 10 years in business. Read more.


Calendar of Events

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

Fall Fest
Sept. 9 | 5-8 p.m. | NICC Calmar Campus

Tri-State Ag & Dairy Expo
Sept. 16 | Iowa’s Dairy Center

Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation Board Meeting
Sept. 24 | 12 p.m. | Iowa's Dairy Center

Agriculture Career Fair
Oct. 26 | 9-11 a.m. | Iowa’s Dairy Center

Agriculture and Animal Science Program Preview
Nov. 5 | 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Iowa’s Dairy Center

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