Temperatures are finally cooling and calving season is beginning to ramp up. That means more cows are milking.
You are invited to come learn about results of a three-state (Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Florida) Milk Quality Assurance research and extension project which is winding up its fifth and final year. The information which has been gleaned from milkers, supervisors, managers, and owners about perceptions and reality of milker training and what actually goes on in the parlor has been eye-opening to the researchers and those with whom this information has been shared. Vacuum recording devices called VaDias have shown the problems of bimodal milking (caused by too short of an interval between udder stimulation and milking machine attachment) and over-milking are prevalent in way too many parlors reducing milk production significantly. How can this be changed?
Lead researcher in this project, Dr. Ron Erskine, Extension Veterinarian from Michigan State University, will be sharing results and making recommendations from this study on Thursday, November 16, from 11 to noon at the next North Florida/South Georgia Dairy Up-date in a presentation entitled, “Employee training, milk quality and the bottom line.” If you own cows or manage employees on a dairy farm, plan on attending to learn something which will positively affect the bottom line of your dairy.
A free lunch will be available from noon to 1 PM where informal questions and answers generally continue. Please reserve your lunch by calling or emailing Mary Sowerby, Ph.D. (865-250-7761 or meso@ufl.edu) by Monday, November 13th.
Employee training, milk quality and the bottom line information flyer (.pdf)