12th Annual Michigan Dairy Expo Set for July 21-25 at MSU
12th Annual Michigan Dairy Expo Set for July 21-25 at MSU
7/9/08
Contact: Sara Long
517-432-1555, ext. 170
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan dairy industry will take center stage July 21-25 during Michigan Dairy Expo at the Michigan State University (MSU) Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education.
Dairy producers from around the state and visitors of all ages are invited to the 12th annual expo to learn about Michigan’s dairy industry by visiting commercial exhibits and attending dairy management seminars and state breed shows. More than 500 dairy animals exhibited by more than 200 exhibitors are expected for the five-day event.
“Visitors to the Michigan Dairy Expo will get to see some of Michigan’s finest dairy cattle exhibited by top breeders from across the state,” says Joe Domecq, MSU Extension dairy youth specialist and expo director. “More than 200 youth will also participate in various educational and leadership activities during the week. These youth represent the future of Michigan’s dairy industry.”
As part of 4-H Dairy Days, future dairy professionals and enthusiasts will have an opportunity to compete for premiums, ribbons and scholarships in various activities, including dairy quiz bowls, dairy management contests, dairy cattle judging competitions and the Dairy Days youth show. First- and second-ranked individuals at the junior and senior levels in the youth show will receive cash awards of $1,000 and $750, respectively. Winners may also go on to represent Michigan in national dairy competitions.
Dairy producers looking to buy replacement heifers can attend the Michigan A.I. Heifer Showcase Sale July 22. Sixty to 80 head of springing heifers will be offered up for auction, with profits from the sale earmarked to support Michigan 4-H dairy youth programs. The sale will be held in the south barn on the grounds of the MSU pavilion beginning at 6 p.m.
July 23 marks the 10th annual Great Dairy Adventure consumer education day from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Here, children of all ages, parents and educators can learn about dairy cows and farming through hands-on activities and learning stations. Participants can pet calves, experiment with dairy recipes, sample ice cream and cheese, and milk a cow by hand.
On July 24, a barbecue for exhibitors and guests will be followed by a Michigan dairy youth and 4-H awards program and an ice cream social.
The state’s purebred dairy breed associations, with direction from the Michigan Purebred Dairy Cattle Association (PDCA), will also host their annual summer open and youth shows July 24-25, featuring Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey and Red and White dairy cattle. The expo concludes with the selection of the breed show supreme champion. Premiums, supported in part by a grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture, will be available to both youth event and open show exhibitors.
“Dairy expo offers an excellent venue for producers to network with friends and other producers from around the state, in addition to meeting and getting to know some of our future dairy producers and industry leaders through watching various 4-H events,” says Carla McLachlan, expo event coordinator. “It also offers visitors a fun opportunity to see how the modern dairy industry operates and how it’s advancing here in Michigan.”
Admission to the Michigan Dairy Expo is free, and the public is invited to attend.
Michigan Dairy Expo is the largest annual dairy event in the state. Last year’s event drew more than 600 dairy animals and more than 200 exhibitors. The mission of Michigan Dairy Expo is to encourage and promote youth involvement in dairy activities, showcase the Michigan dairy industry, and provide continuing education opportunities for the dairy industry in Michigan and neighboring states.
Premium books, event entry information and schedules are available at any MSU Extension county office or online at www.canr.msu.edu/anscikids/dairy.html. For further information, contact the Michigan 4-H dairy office at 517-353-7855.
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