The Dairy Center Connection.

Hi, there!

Brr! With another week of below freezing (and below zero degree!) temperatures, I’ll give you an excuse to get out of the cold! We have several upcoming programs and events to take advantage of, including our upcoming Soil Health Workshop: Unlocking Nutrients with Soil Health. We’ll also be hosting several Iowa State University Extension & Outreach Programs including Dairy Days, Confinement Site Manure Applicator workshops and Private Pesticide Applicator trainings.

Stay warm!

Mariah Busta
Coordinator, Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation


What's Happening at Iowa's Dairy Center

Make Plans to Attend Upcoming Soil Health Workshop

Feb. 9 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Wilder Business Center, NICC Calmar Campus

Join us for a soil health workshop focused on unlocking nutrients with soil health. Jay Fuhrer, Lead Educator, Menoken Farm and Retired District Conservationist, USDA-NRCS, Bismarck, N.D., will kick off the morning. Jay is a long time conservatist and has shared his knowledge and passion by holding and participating in countless soil health based farm visits, tours and workshops across the globe. Adam Kramer, Co-Founder, Black Sand Granary, Patch Grove, Wis., will share innovations with stewardship. In 2019, Adam was awarded the Iowa CCA of the Year, in 2020 he was recognized as the International CCA of the Year and, most recently, he was named the 2021 CCA Conservationist of the Year. The event will conclude with breakout sessions featuring four area farmers and the soil health efforts they’ve implemented on their farms.

There is no cost to attend the event and lunch is provided. Register by Friday, Feb. 4. Learn more.

Stay Connected with the Dairy & Agriculture Foundation

Did you miss a newsletter? No worries! You can still stay connected with the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation. Previous newsletters and news releases can be found on our website. Learn more.

Registration Open for Spring and Summer A.I. Classes

Mar. 15-17, June 28-30 | 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.

Register


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 Jersey herd at Iowa’s Dairy Center was recently recognized by the American Jersey Association nationally for ranking at 103% of the breed for pounds of butterfat at 1,023 lbs./cow.
  • The Holstein Herd was classified earlier this month, which resulted in a breed age average (BAA) of 102.2 with five new cows scoring Very Good. We have seen an improvement in our five year BAA trend. 
  • Combined, the robot Holstein and Jersey herds are averaging 4.7% butterfat and 3.3% protein, with a 128,000 SCC, SPC of 2 and MUN of 10.4.
  • On the January DHI test, the combined data of both the parlor and robot herds shows 6.1 lbs. of CFP daily with an SCC of 131,000.
  • The Spring semester began Monday, Jan. 10. We welcomed seven new Dairy Science and Beef Science students to our programs.
  • Dairy and Beef Science students recently pregnancy checked the beef herd via ultrasound with Dr. Pat Boe. The herd was bred late last year by the Beef Science students. 10 of the 14 cows and heifers were confirmed pregnant and will be sexed later this semester during the lab.
  • Dairy and Beef Science students earned certification in Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) or Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance (DACQA).
  • Where are they now? NICC Dairy Science alum Makaila Klejeski is a Research Professional 4 Calf Manager at the University of Minnesota Southern Agricultural Research and Outreach Center in Waseca, Minn. 


NICC News

Soup Luncheon Supports Dairy Science Student

The faculty and staff at Iowa’s Dairy Center recently hosted a soup luncheon to support Jordyn Schumacher, a Dairy Science student from Millville, Minn. who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Students enjoyed sampling the soups and eachother’s company. It is estimated that nearly 100 bowls of soup were served.

Public Invited to Attend and Participate in NICC President Finalists Forums this Week

The Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Board of Trustees invites community members to attend and participate in president finalists forums the week of Jan. 24-28 to learn more about the candidates. The public may attend in person or via Zoom. Read more.

Mark Your Calendars for Agriculture and Animal Sciences Program Preview

Friday, Feb. 25 | 10 a.m.-12:15 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: Justin Schaffer

Justin Schaffer of Miesville, Minn. was recently featured with his family in the Dairy Star. The Schaffers milk 210 cows with three DeLaval V300 robots, which were installed in 2020. Justin is an NICC Dairy Science alum and serves on the program’s advisory committee. Read more.


Industry News

Dairy Days return in Northeast and Northwest Iowa in January and February. Learn more.

Confinement site manure applicator workshops to be held in Northeast Iowa, including Iowa’s Dairy Center on Monday, Jan. 31. Read more.

Two Private Pesticide Applicator Trainings are scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 9 at Iowa’s Dairy Center. Learn more.

DNR to host hunting, trapping season review sessions, including a meeting location at Iowa’s Dairy Center on Wednesday, Feb. 23. Read more.

Midwest Dairy is offering scholarships to students who are from dairy farms or are studying in dairy-related majors. Learn more.

Available to Midwest Dairy farmers, dairy groups and agricultural organizations, Undeniably Dairy Grants help turn great ideas for promoting the dairy community to consumers into reality. Learn more.


Calendar of Events

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

Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation Board Meeting
Jan. 28 | 12 p.m. | Iowa's Dairy Center

Soil Health Workshop: Unlocking Nutrients with Soil Health
Feb. 9 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Wilder Business Center, NICC Calmar Campus

Agriculture and Animal Science Program Preview
Feb. 25 | 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Iowa’s Dairy Center

Bovine Artificial Insemination Class
Mar. 15-17 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Iowa’s Dairy Center

Bovine Artificial Insemination Class
June 28-30 | 9 a.m.-3 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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