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VTDairy - Home of the Dairy Extension Program at Virginia Tech

VTDairy - Home of the Dairy Extension Program at Virginia Tech

Enhancing knowledge, safety and profitability

Illustration of a Holstein cow grazing.

Upcoming Events

Farm Advisory Teams
Contact cmartel@vt.edu or jdaubert@vt.edu to develop a farm advisory team.

Safe Farm Stewardship (ongoing program)
Contact Cynthia Martel (cmartel@vt.edu or 540-483-5161)

May 3, 2024
Dairy Skillathon (Youth)

May 4, 2024
VA Spring Holstein Show

May 4, 2024
VA Spring Holstein Show

June 8, 2024
Franklin County Livestock Show with Dairy Heifers and new Dairy Steer classes

July 8-11, 2024
Southeast Youth Dairy Retreat
Florida

August 1, 2024
State Dairy Judging Contest (Youth)

If you are a person with a disability and require any auxiliary aids, services or other accommodations for any Extension event, please discuss your accommodation needs with the Extension staff at your local Extension office at least 1 week prior to the event.

Current Dairy Industry Stats

Virginia January 2024 Mailbox Price: $21.64
last month → VA December 2023 Mailbox Price: $22.13
1 year ago →  VA January 2023 Mailbox Price: $24.23
more mailbox prices...

VA Grade A Dairy Herds as of July 2023: 
Cow: 368   |   Goat: 1  

VA Manufactured Grade Herds as of July 2023: 
Cow: 2  |  Goat: 13    

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Guidance

This is an emerging situation with new information becoming available almost daily.

The latest news, guidance for producers and veterinarians, biosecurity recommendations, and links to CDC and FDA information can be found below.

A recording of the April 30, 2024 webinar produced by Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine can be accessed above.

Sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech School of Animal Sciences, Virginia - Maryland College of Veterinary Sciences, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Cattlemen’s Association, and The Virginia Dairymen’s Association.

Programs

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    Dairy Financial Management

    Holistic management strategies to assist farmers in successfully managing their agricultural operations through periods of high risk, volatility, and financial stress.

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    Forage Quality & Management

    Educational on-farm workshops and diverse extension fact-sheets along with educational videos.

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    Close up view of dairy cow udder.
    Mastitis and Milk Quality

    Increase milk production, milk quality, and profitability with mastitis detection, control and prevention. Includes farm management improvements to prevent pathogen proliferation.

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    Jersey calves facing camera at hay.
    Replacements

    Get your replacements off to a good start to maximize your herd's future!

Dairy Extension Contacts

 

Recent Newsletters  

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May 2024 - In this issue: Time for a Biosecurity Check on Your Farm; Enhancing Dairy Cow Welfare: Supporting Isolation Behaviors around Calving; Upcoming Events
Snapshot image of the linked newsletter.
April 2024 - Impact of Dairy Farms on the Environment: Feeding Strategies to Reduce Nitrogen Excretion; News from the Forage Quality and Management Program; Upcoming Events