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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.

Franklin County Youth Livestock Show with Dairy
June 10, 2023

Southwest VA 4-H Tractor Club Silent Auction
June 15-17, 2023 (Abingdon, VA)

Southwest VA 4-H Tractor Club Raffle
June 17, 2023 (Abingdon, VA)

Managing Milk Price & Risk Using Futures and Options Markets
June 26, 2023 (Rocky Mount, VA)

Farmer CPR and First Aid Beginner Classes
June 29, 2023 (Rocky Mount, VA)

SWVA 4-H Tractor Club Trip to Southeast Old Threshers Reunion Show in Denton, NC
July 1, 2023

Southeast Dairy Youth Retreat
July 9 - July 12, 2023 (Statesville, NC)

Farm Dinner Theatre
July 14, 2023 (Franklin Co.)

Virginia Dairy Expo
July 14, 2023 (Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction)

Cheese Making Class
July 17, 2023 (Franklin Co.)

SWVA 4-H Tractor Club Toy Tractor Display Contest
August 1-3, 2023 (Rich Valley Fair)

State 4-H / FFA Dairy Youth Field Day
August 3, 2023 (Harrisonburg, VA)

Virginia Summer Showdown - Summer All Breed Dairy Shows
August 4-5, 2023 (Rockingham Co. Fairgrounds)

Virginia State Fair
Jr Dairyman’s Contest - September 22, 2023
Dairy Show - September 23, 2023

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 February 2023 Mailbox Price: $22.93
last month → VA Jan 2023 Mailbox Price: $24.23
1 year ago →  VA Feb 2022 Mailbox Price: $24.82
more mailbox prices...

VA Grade A Dairy Herds as of September 2022: 
Cow: 381   |   Goat: 1

VA Manufactured Grade Herds as of September 2022: 
Cow: 1  |  Goat: 14    

VA Grade A Herd Distribution by County and Percentage

2022 Fall Grade A Dairy Herd Map.

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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    Round hay bales in foreground with green trees and blue skies in the background.
    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 & Announcements

Screenshot of the June 2023 Dairy Pipeline.
June 2023 - In this issue: Getting them off to a good start—Newborn calf management; Fetal programming: taking care of our heifers before they’re born; Upcoming Events
Screenshot of the May 2023 Dairy Pipeline.
May 2023 - In this issue:Genetics: Are you getting the most out of them?; Grant opportunities for Virginia dairy producers; Upcoming Events
Screenshot image of the 2023 SDBII announcement. Linked.
Cost Share Grant Opportunity Application Deadline: June 2, 2023.