Midwest Dairy School: Maximizing Robotic Milking Systems

The Midwest Dairy School provides a one day learning opportunity for producers, industry, and potentially new dairy producers to network and engage in a current topic. With support from the dairy industry and business community, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Northeast Iowa Community College, and Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation, this program has continued to provide valuable information. In 2014, 80 participants attended as well as 2 presenters and 6 panelists. Overall the participants and presenters felt that the event was useful. There was an increase in knowledge with each presentation. There was an increase of knowledge by 68% in “Where are Robotic Milking Systems Taking Us”, 52% in the “Q & A at the Robotic Milking Center”, 106% in “How are Robotic Dairies Feeding their Cows”, and 109% in the “Producer/Nutritionist Panel Discussion”