FRANKFORT, Ky. — Dairy producers across Kentucky will have an opportunity to learn about new ways to make larger profits by way of a series of Milk Quality Barn Meetings during the next several weeks.

A total of 14 meetings, two of which have already taken place in Barren and Warren Counties, will continue until April 13 in various locations.

The meetings are coordinated by the Kentucky Dairy Development Council (KDDC) and sponsored by Alltech, a multi-national biotechnology company working with the feed and food industries and based in Nicholasville, Ky.

The KDDC was formed in 2004 with funding from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board as an organization to represent all aspects of the dairy industry including Kentucky dairy producers as well as allied industry individuals and groups such as genetics, nutrition, animal health and others. The group also consists of advisory members from universities and other public agencies.

“The council is the first organization to represent all aspects of Kentucky’s dairy industry,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer.

Meeting organizers include Roger Thomas, executive director of the KDDC; Chris Thompson and Bill Crist of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, and Lewis Ramsey of the Milk Safety Branch, Kentucky Department for Public Health.

The programs, Bigger Milk Checks Through Quality Premiums and Higher Production, will begin with registration at 9:30 a.m. local time. Workshops on milk quality, milking equipment, cow care and other subjects will be offered. A sponsor at each meeting will provide lunch.

Meeting dates and locations, with KDDC contacts and phone numbers, include:

•Jan. 10 – Bill Crist farm, Glasgow; H.H. Barlow, 270-404-8003
•Jan. 17 – Bill Balance farm, Oakland; Roger Thomas, 859-516-1229
•Jan. 18 – Ward farm, Sedalia; Bruce Sanders, 270-522-8447
•Jan. 19 – Wayne Zimmerman farm, Fairview; Bruce Sanders, 270-522-8447
•Feb. 7 – Jim Sidebottom farm, Greensburg; Jim Sidebottom, 270-932-4003
•Feb. 8 – Mitchell Rooks farm, Columbia; Richard Colvin, 270-465-3307
•Feb. 10 – Mike Rexroat farm, Russell Springs; John Eubank, 270-457-2241
•March 15 – Steve Martin farm, Liberty; David Croshaw, 859-239-9453
•March 16 – Larry Baxter farm, Salvisa; David Croshaw, 859-239-9453
•March 22 – Jerry Gentry farm, Somerset; George Purcell, 606-287-6641
•March 29 – Earl Lee Jones farm, Maysville; Bill Newell, 606-301-3913
•April 11 – John Kalmey farm, Shelbyville; Bob Klingenfus, 502-222-1538
•April 12 – O’Daniel & Sons farm, Lebanon; Stewart Jones, 270-865-3913
•April 13 – Embry’s Longview farm, Leitchfield; Larry Jaggers, 270-369-6098

For more information, contact Chris Thompson at 859-257-2785, Roger Thomas at 859-516-1129 or the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Eunice Schlappi at 502-564-4983.

Published in the January 18, 2006 issue of Farm World.