Milking system efficiency is the focus for the 2014 Winter Dairy Management programs organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension for March 12 at Miner Institute in Chazy and March 13 at the Elk’s Club in Carthage.
The 9:30am-3:15pm program includes presentations on low-cost milking parlor options and parlor efficiency practices, robotic milking systems, business planning, and budgeting for dairy modernization projects.
Presenters include the Cornell University Pro-Dairy program, New York Dairy Acceleration Program, University of Wisconsin Biological Systems Engineering Professor David Kammel, and Cornell University Extension Veterinarian Rick Watters with Quality Milk Production Services.
Participants will learn planning and design tips for building a new milking parlor or remodeling existing facilities. Planning and budgeting sessions will include information on assistance available to help producers develop sound business plans for their farms.
Ways to keep parlors operating efficiently and on schedule and how to analyze efficiency in terms of the cows milked per hour, the hundredweights of milk shipped per milker, and other data will be covered.
One session will focus on increasing interest in robotic milking systems and when they are a good choice.
Pre-registration for the program is $35 by March 3; $50 at the door. To register for the March 12 program at Miner Institute, contact Kimberley Morrill at 315-379-9192, [email protected]; to register for the March 13 program at the Carthage Elks Club, contact Ron Kuck, 315-788-8450, [email protected], or Terri Taraska, 315-376-5270, [email protected].
Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. Learn more online at www.ccenny.com