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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

*CANCELLED* October 13, 2025 
Hokie Cow Classic 
Blacksburg, VA

October 17, 2025
Adding Value in Beef and Dairy Operations
Farm Credit of the Virginias - Harrisonburg Branch

October 25, 2025
Farm to Table Harvest Celebration

November 7-8, 2025
Cattle WISE & Equipment WISE
Abingdon, VA

November 8, 2025
National 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl

November 10, 2025
Hoof Trimming Workshop – Hillview Farm, Bridgewater, VA

November 12, 2025
Hoof Trimming Workshop – Golden View Dairy, Glade Hill, VA

November 17-18, 2025

Bovine Artificial Insemination Course - Lee County, VA


Early December TBD, 2025

Current updates on HPAI on dairy farms and worker safety

December 16, 2025 (Webinar)
MANAGING YOUR  SPRING CALVING COWS: Prolapses, Calving, Colostrum & Nutrition - Webinar and In-person Meeting Series with Dr. John Currin
-Preventing and dealing with prolapse vaginas, rectums
-Winter nutrition for the spring calving herd

January 13, 2026 (Webinar)
MANAGING YOUR  SPRING CALVING COWS: Prolapses, Calving, Colostrum & Nutrition - Webinar and In-person Meeting Series with Dr. John Currin
-Calving difficulties, colostrum management, prolapsed uterus

Late January - March (In-person meeting TBD)
MANAGING YOUR  SPRING CALVING COWS: Prolapses, Calving, Colostrum & Nutrition - Webinar and In-person Meeting Series with Dr. John Currin
-Demonstration of tools for dealing with calving problems and use of a calf for calving difficulty correction techniques

 
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 June 2025 Mailbox Price: $21.33
last month → VA May 2025 Mailbox Price: $20.78
1 year ago →  VA June 2024 Mailbox Price: $23.02
more mailbox prices...

VA Grade A Dairy Herds as of Jan 2025: 
Cow: 338   |   Goat: 1  

VA Manufactured Grade Herds as of Jan 2025: 
Cow: 11  |  Goat: 8  |  Sheep: 1   

Click map to open PDF.

Screenshot of the linked document. County breakdown may be found at https://sas.vt.edu/extension/vtdairy/maps.html.

Programs

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    Wordle Word Cloud with financial words.
    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!

Videos

Hurricane Helene Resources

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Guidance

Dairy Extension Contacts

 

New

Screenshot of the attached Dairy Pipeline newsletter. October issue.
October 2025 - Special Calf Issue: Is It Time for a Change; Milk vs. Milk Replacer: Which Is Better for Calves; Upcoming Events; Additional Notes
Screenshot of the linked pdf.
September 2025 - In this issue: The Importance of Controlling Contagious Mastitis Pathogens in Dairy Herds; Timing Matters: How Daily Cycles Impact Milk Production in Dairy Cows; Upcoming Events; Additional Notes