As you plan your visit to the World Dairy Expo, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has released additional details about the fourth annual Grazing Seminars and Reception scheduled for Friday, October 5. The World Dairy Expo will be held in Madison October 2-6.

"This annual event brings in a mix of farmer presenters and researchers from across the country to share information on managed grazing," said Laura Paine, DATCP's Grazing Specialist. "The free educational seminars offer basic information for the beginning farmer as well as new methods and techniques for those involved in the industry for years."

The scheduled grazing events include:

? 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Dealing with high feed costs - supplementation on pasture: Dr. Rhonda Gildersleeve, the University of Wisconsin-Extension Grazing Specialist, will present results of a survey of supplementation practices among grass-based and organic dairy farmers in Wisconsin. Dr. Brad Heins of the University of Minnesota will present grain supplementation effects on economic behavior and pest management strategies for organic dairy cows.

? 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Automated milking systems (robotic milkers): Panel will include Dr. Santiago Utsumi of Michigan State University, which has a grass-based dairy research farm using robotic milkers, Dr. Doug Reinemann, a University of Wisconsin-Madison milking systems expert, and farmers who use robotic milkers in their pasture based system.

? 12:30 - 1:45 p.m. Pasture irrigation and other drought strategies: Panel will include farmers from Wisconsin and Missouri who utilize pasture irrigation and researchers summarizing economic performance of portable pasture irrigation from an on-farm study in Wisconsin.

? 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Roundtable discussion: Dr. Tony Rickard of the University of Missouri will moderate a panel of farmers and researchers for a discussion of anything and everything related to managed grazing.

? 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Free reception: Opportunity to meet with speakers and sponsors for refreshments and conversation.

"Each seminar will allow time for participants to ask questions and engage in discussion," added Gildersleeve, who was part of the planning team. "The reception is also a great opportunity for farmers to share ideas to be more successful and profitable in the future."

Seminars will be held in the Mendota 3 Conference Room of the Exhibition Hall. The afternoon reception will be held in the Waubesa Room on the second floor of the Exhibition Hall. Many grazing-related vendors will have displays in the New Holland Trade Center, located in the lot in front of the Exhibition Hall.

Sponsors for the reception include: American Milking Shorthorn Society, Byron Seeds, Crystal Creek, Dairy Farmers of America, GrassWorks' Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program, Geno Global, Graze Magazine, LIC, Taurus Service, Organic Valley, CRV, Midwestern Bio Ag, Prairie Creek Seed, Spalding, Whitewave/Horizon, Normande Genetics and Creative Genetics.

For additional details about these grazing events at World Dairy Expo, contact Paine at 608-224-5120 or laura.paine@wi.gov. World Dairy Expo information can be found at http://worlddairyexpo.com/.

9.20.2012