Michigan Dairy Expo Media Advisory
7/15/08
Contact: Sara Long
517-432-1555, ext. 170
12th annual Michigan Dairy Expo, July 21-25
Michigan State University Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education
Located on Farm Lane between Mt. Hope and Forest Roads (4301 Farm Lane Road, East Lansing). General information: 1-800-366-7055
For general information prior to the show, contact Carla McLachlan at 517-432-5402; during the show, call McLachlan at 517-432-0665.
For media assistance prior to the show, contact Sara Long at 517-432-1555, ext. 170.
For media assistance during the show, contact Sara Long at 989-225-1368 or Renee McCauley at 616-283-6411.
Michigan Dairy Expo is the largest annual dairy event in the state. More than 500 dairy animals exhibited by more than 200 exhibitors are expected for the five-day event.
During 4-H Dairy Days, July 21-24, youth will 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.
Sixty to 80 head of springing heifers will be offered up for auction during the Michigan A.I. Heifer Showcase Sale July 22. The sale will be held in the south barn on the grounds of the MSU pavilion beginning at 6 p.m. Profits from the sale will support Michigan 4-H dairy youth programs.
July 23 is the 10th annual Great Dairy Adventure consumer education day. From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 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 will 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 July 25 at 2 p.m.
Admission to the Michigan Dairy Expo is free, and the public is invited to attend.
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.
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