Dairy Discovery Workshop

The annual Dairy Discovery program provides New York youth with fun, hands-on science-oriented learning experiences in dairy production and management topics that feature the unique facilities, industry professionals, and staff at Cornell University.

The statewide program for youth ages 14 to 19 years-old is held one Saturday in March. Youth learn will understand, observe and participate in technical skill training by rotating through a series of hands-on stations that focus on specific aspects of the dairy industry, including:

  • Dairy Herd Health and Management
  • Calf and Heifer Production Management
  • Quality Milk and Milk Production
  • Whole Farm Management Planning
  • Maximizing the Feed Management Program.

Youth who are 14 to 19 years of age on January 1 of the program year and have an interest in dairy cattle and production management are eligible and strongly encouraged to attend (with their parents or chaperones). This program is not limited to any organization, 4-H project members, FFA youth, and others with a dairy interest or desire to learn about dairy are all welcome.

March 29 - 30, 2024

Cornell University  |  Frank Morrison Hall

Map and driving directions
 

Proper calving procedures and techniques

  • Cow hygiene, using calving chains
  • The first 30 minutes post-calving

Colostrum management & analysis of passive transfer

  • Timing, quality & quantity
  • IgG’s: what is means and how to measure

Analyzing the heifer program

  • Growth: BCS, height and weight
  • Identification
  • Biosecurity
  • Heifer economics 101

Workshop agenda

6:30 PM

  • Welcome and dinner (Room 348 Morrison)

7:00 PM

  • CALS Admissions presentation and college planning (Room 146 Morrison)

7:45 PM

  • Group mixer with Animal Science students

9:00 PM    

  • Snack and program conclusion

 

Youth will rotate through three stations in the morning and three stations in the afternoo in Frank Morrison Hall and adjacent buildings.

7:30 AM

  • Breakfast on your own

8:15 AM

  • Registration (Morrison Hall lobby)

8:45 AM

  • Welcome and workshop introduction (146 Morrison)

9:00 AM

  • Workshop session 1

11:45 PM

  • Lunch (348 Morrison)

12:30 PM

  • Workshop session 2

4:00 PM

  • Discussion, wrap-up and evaluation

For more information

Registration and payment questions:

  • Linzi Chambers (lc994 [at] cornell.edu (lc994[at]cornell[dot]edu) or 607-255-6695)

Program questions:

  • Debbie Grusenmeyer (djc27 [at] cornell.edu (djc27[at]cornell[dot]edu))