EAST LANSING, Mich. — The largest dairy event in Michigan will be in full swing during Ag Expo.

The Michigan Dairy Expo will be July 17-21 at the Michigan State University (MSU) Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education. It will run simultaneously with Ag Expo, which will be July 18-20 at the corner of Farm Lane and Mount Hope Road, across from the pavilion.

Visitors can watch 4-H events and special activities will be aimed at teaching them about the dairy industry and future producers. More than 200 4-H members and other youths will compete in dairy quiz bowl, a cattle show, and dairy judging and dairy management contests during the event.

“The pavilion will be packed,” said Sara Long, MSU Animal Agriculture Industry communications manager. “There will be approximately 500 head of cattle over the course of the week.” The Great Dairy Adventure, slated for 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 19, will teach visitors about the nutritional benefits of dairy products.

Participants will learn where milk comes from, visit the I milked a cow booth, experiment with dairy recipes, play games, make crafts and pet calves. They will receive coloring books and milk moustache pictures taken with MSU athletes.

Visitors also will be able to walk through the animal displays and see firsthand how dairy cattle are cared for. Producers will be on-hand to answer questions.

“The Michigan Dairy Expo is an excellent opportunity to see what the Michigan dairy industry is all about and see its promise for the state,” said MSU Extension Dairy Youth Specialist Joe Domecq.

In addition to the youth events, adult competitors will take the show ring with state dairy breed association open shows July 20-21. Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey, and red and white dairy cattle will compete to be named supreme champion.

Admission is free. During Ag Expo shuttles will run every 15 minutes to transport visitors between Michigan Dairy Expo and Ag Expo.

This farm news was published in the July 5, 2006 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.