By SUSAN MYKRANTZ
Contributing Writer
COLUMBUS — The Department of Animal Sciences at The Ohio State University, in conjunction with the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and Elanco Animal Health, will host an educational forum and open house at the Waterman Dairy Farm Aug. 9. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
Jersey research
Dr. Maurice Eastridge said the purpose of the program is to share the latest research on Jersey cattle and provide an opportunity for the public to view the Jersey herd and programs at The Ohio State University.
The morning session will be held at Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on the Ohio State campus in Columbus.
Topics in the morning program include environmental impact and sustainability of Jersey milk production; genomic evaluations; and the development of a Jersey branded beef program.
During lunch, participants will hear from Dr. Ron Kensinger, chair, and Dr. Joe Hogan, associate chair, department of animal sciences.
Waterman Dairy Farm
The afternoon program will be held at the university’s Waterman Dairy Farm on Carmack Road.
Two managers and student employees coordinate the care of the 100-cow herd.
In 2010, the farm also switched from vertical silos to horizontal silage bags. Cows are housed in freestalls and milked in a double-8 DeLaval herringbone parlor with automatic takeoffs. The parlor was built in 2002.
Most of the manure is handled through a flush system. Calves are raised in hutches and replacements and dry cows are housed in loose housing or on pasture.
The herd is enrolled in the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) Registration, Equity, Appraisal and Performance (REAP) program.
Breakout sessions
During the afternoon session, participants may select three of five breakout sessions, including stream management in a pasture system; silage storage to maintain quality and minimize shrink; managing the costs of production; Jersey calf research at Ohio State University; and services provided by the American Jersey Cattle Association.
There will be a separate break-out session for 4-H and FFA dairy youth on dairy judging, dairy products, and careers in the dairy industry presented by Bonnie Ayars, department of animal sciences.
Following the forum, there will be an optional tour of the Schottenstein Center at 4 p.m.
COBA open house
Participants are also invited to attend a COBA open house at Select Sires, 11740 US 42 N, Plain City, Ohio Aug. 10, beginning at 10 a.m.
The forum is free of charge, but reservations are requested for lunch and to provide sufficient handouts for participants.
The reservation deadline is Aug. 1 and may be made by contacting Eastridge at 614-688-3059; or eastridge.1@osu.edu.
