MSU Dairy Education Fall Recap

Feb 15, 2024

Dairy judging

The MSU Collegiate, Ag Tech, and Michigan 4-H Dairy Judging teams traveled to the All-American Dairy Show (Harrisburg, PA), World Dairy Expo (Madison, WI), and NAILE (Louisville, KY) this Fall and represented the state of Michigan well in each of these contests. A few notable achievements include the Michigan 4-H team placing 1st overall in Harrisburg with Olivia Black and Chloe Steiner individually placing 1st and 2nd respectively. Additionally, the MSU Collegiate Team placed 2nd overall in Harrisburg with Drew Neyer and Brianna Hill individually placing 2nd and 4th respectively. Congratulations to all who competed this season! To see a complete list of results, check out our website: www.canr.msu.edu/dairyjudging/.

Dairy Challenge

The MSU Dairy Challenge kicked off the 2024 season with the Internal Dairy Challenge Contest in December. Three divisions provided students of all levels within the program the opportunity to participate. Over 50 students participated in this year’s event which included 6 intermediate division teams, 3 advanced division teams, and an academy experience. A banquet that included over 100 students, alumni, and industry professionals celebrated student success. Brianna Hill, Adalee Thelen, Irie Moussiaux, and Lauren Ringewold placed first in the advanced division while Grant Gasper, Calle Loew, Bette Eggink, and Rhianna Bruursema placed first in the intermediate division. Thank you to Preston Farms for hosting this year’s internal contest.

MSU Dairy Education Academy

The Dairy Education Program hosted the 2nd Dairy Education Academy in November which provided 23 high school students and their parents the opportunity to come to campus learn about the program, meet students and professors, and visit a dairy. The next Dairy Academy will be hosted in Fall 2024. If you are a high school student or recent graduate interested in studying dairy at MSU, be sure to look for the application to apply for this fully funded opportunity in the Summer of 2024. In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more about the Dairy Education Program at MSU contact Joe Domecq, Coordinator of Dairy Education (domecqjo@msu.edu).

Source : msu.edu

Video: Drone Flight & Baling Success at Last!

Drone Flight & Baling Success at Last!

After weeks of rain delays and frustration, we finally have a reason to smile — it’s hay time again at Ewetopia Farms! In today’s episode, we head out to the fields where Arnie is baling hay, and I attempt my second drone flight to capture it all from the air. The drone still had some hiccups, but I managed to get some aerial footage of the baling process.

Back at the farm, the work doesn’t stop. Arnie brings the bales home, and the next critical step begins — wrapping and stacking the bales to make haylage. This process is essential for preserving feed for our sheep and ensures they have nutritious forage in the months ahead.

It’s a good day on the farm — the sun is out, the drone is flying (sort of!), and we’re making progress. Join us for a satisfying and productive day that brings a long-awaited sigh of relief to this year’s challenging hay season.

?? Let us know in the comments: Have you had to deal with weather delays this season?

?? Thanks for watching and supporting Ewetopia Farms — where every day is an adventure in sheep farming. Please like, comment, and subscribe to follow our daily journey with the flock!