More than 280 dairy farmers from
across the country and around the world toured Central New
York dairy farms from April 27 through April 30.
Participants
toured seven farms, saw over 8,000 cows, and visited with some of the best
dairymen in the world. The tour showcased one Onondaga
County farm, one Schuyler County Farm,
two Tompkins County farms, and three Cayuga County
Farms. It was sponsored by Alta Genetics, an international artificial
insemination business based in Calgary,
Alberta.
“New York has an
excellent reputation for quality dairy farming. These are some of the best
dairies in the world,” said Gary Gardner, tour coordinator. “They’re good
stewards of the land. They care about their cows; and if the cows are happy and
healthy, they’re more productive.”
Five
tour buses of farmers from Europe, Mexico,
Canada, Australia and Argentina,
including 175 U.S. dairymen
representing 300,000 cows, gathered to network and learn from the New York dairy farmers. The
NY farmers shared their strategies to create an environment that is beneficial
to the cows, employees, neighbors and the community, all while making healthy,
high quality milk. The tour was an educational experience to provide the visiting
farmers with new ideas about feed, manure management, genetics, reproduction
and issues key to progressive dairying.
Watch
