ASHTABULA, Ohio — OSU Extension and Ashtabula County Dairy Unit are inviting dairy farm families, dairy industry personnel and other interested individuals to travel to Monroe Township from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 8 in Ashtabula County to visit Ringbyre Jersey Farm and Shiloh Acres Family Dairy.
Those attending can start the tour at either farm and then travel the short distance to the second farm.
Ringbyre Jersey Farm
Ringbyre Jersey Farm has been in operation since 1960. This farm has recently made a transition between generations from Loren and Nancy Ring to Jeff and Carole Ring.
The farm currently milks 285 Jersey cows and raises over 550 acres of alfalfa, corn, corn silage, oats, and mixed grasses.
During the tour, participants will tour the new 66-by-160 foot calf raising facility. This state-of-the-art barn includes heated floors, 72 Agri-Plastics calf pens, Poly Dome calf warmer, and a post-weaning heifer section.
The family converted the wet brewer’s pits to now store dry hay and bedding materials.
Participants will also tour the calf kitchen, which includes a dairy tech pasteurizing unit in which all colostrum, fresh cow, and treated milk are pasteurized before feeding to the calves.
Shiloh acres
Shiloh Acres Dairy Farm was started in 1983 by David and Laurel Ring and has been shipping certified organic milk since 2009 to Organic Valley Dairy.
The family currently milks 50 Holstein, Jersey and crossbred cows and raises over 225 acres of organic corn, oats, barley, hay and pasture. Learn the steps on how the farm became and stays certified to ship organic milk and to raise organic crops.
Cows are fed an organic TMR and are pastured on intensively managed pastures during the evening.
During the tour, participants will tour the milking and cow freestall barn built in 1985 and the heifer/dry cow barn built in 1990.
Guided tours will be provided at each farm. No reservations are needed and this tour will be held rain or shine.
Dairy refreshments and restrooms will be provided at each stop. To maintain biosecurity, disposable boots will be provided.
A complete program flier and information can be obtained by accessing the Ashtabula County Extension web site at http://ashtabula.osu.edu or by calling the Ashtabula County Extension office at 440-576-9008.
