World Dairy Expo’s virtual farm tours have been bringing the best dairy operations in North America to Madison for more than 15 years. The eight dairies selected this year are no exception, featuring technology and innovation, outstanding milk production and genetics, strong community ties and first-generation farmers, top-notch cow and calf care, and expanding operations.

These virtual outings provide a visual presentation led by the farm’s owner or manager, with time for questions and an open discussion to follow. Tours are presented daily, Oct. 3-7, in Mendota 1 of the Exhibition Hall.

Sponsors of the 2017 virtual farm tours include: Provimi, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, Lely, American Jersey Cattle Association, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Quality Liquid Feeds Inc., Purina Animal Nutrition LLC and CRV USA.

Here is the schedule of tours this year.

Oct. 3 at 2 p.m.
Hosted by: Fustead Holsteins, Wausau
Highlights: 475 milking/milk production and genetics
Sponsored by: Provimi

Oct. 4 at noon
Hosted by: Oregon Dairy Farm LLC, Lititz, Pa.
Highlights: 475 milking/community partners
Sponsored by: Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy

Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.
Hosted by: Good-Vue Farms, Goodridge, Minn.
Highlights: 120 milking/utilizing technology
Sponsored by: Lely

Oct. 5 at noon
Hosted by: Piedmont Jerseys, Lincolnton, N.C.
Highlights: 250 milking/Jersey genetics
Sponsored by: American Jersey Cattle Association

Oct. 5 at 2 p.m.
Hosted by: Meier Dairy of Palmer Inc., Wakefield, Kan.
Highlights: 650 milking/innovation
Sponsored by: Kansas Department of Agriculture

Oct. 6 at noon
Hosted by: VanBedaf Dairy LLP, Carrington, N.D.
Highlights: 1,400 milking/first-generation U.S. farm
Sponsored by: Quality Liquid Feeds Inc.

Oct. 6 at 2 p.m.
Hosted by: Night Hawk Dairy, Stratford
Highlights: 900 milking/cow and calf care
Sponsored by: Purina Animal Nutrition LLC

Oct. 7 at noon
Hosted by: Woods Hill Farms, Turin, N.Y.
Highlights: 743 milking/expansion
Sponsored by: CRV USA

For more than five decades, the global dairy industry has been meeting in Madison for World Dairy Expo. Crowds of nearly 75,000 people from more than 100 countries attended the annual event in 2016. World Dairy Expo will return Oct. 3-7 as attendees and exhibitors are encouraged to “Discover New Dairy Worlds.” Visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow on Facebook and Twitter (@WDExpo or #WDE2017) for more information.  

Source: World Dairy Expo