The Wisconsin Ayrshire Summer Picnic will be held on June 22nd at the Franta Family Farm, located at W3659 650th Ave. Spring Valley, WI 54767. The picnic will begin at 12:30 p.m. Farmers of all breeds are encouraged to attend.
The program for the day will begin with a pot-luck lunch. Following will be farm tours and a cattle judging contest. Peter Coyne, Vita Plus dairy field service specialist, will be the featured speaker for the event. Door prizes and other awards will also be given away.
Farm details:
Located in north western Wisconsin, this commercial dairy is home to 230 milking cows, including Holsteins and Ayrshires. It is an excellent opportunity to view Ayrshires competing in a modern, commercial set up.
Farm features include:
* Freestall barn with stalls modified for sand use
* 1.6 million gallon manure lagoon, constructed in July 2012
* Double eight parallel milking parlor with automatic takeoffs
* Long day lighting system
* Bunk-side water misters and overhead stall fans for heat abatement
* Retrofitted buildings for milking parlor, post-fresh, and special needs groups
* Off-peak rate diesel generator, installed May 2011
* Two soil conservation dams for erosion control
* Innovative resynch protocols derived from on-farm research
The Holstein rolling herd average is 26,000 lbs., the Ayrshire rolling herd average is 19,800 lbs. Somatic cell count for the entire herd is 80,000.
The Frantas own 300 acres and rent an additional 150 acres for production of forages for the herd.
What to bring:
A dish to pass and a lawn chair. Barbeque sandwiches, drinks, and tableware will all be provided.
Contact:
Call Richard Franta at 715-307-0537 or email richard.franta@gmail.com for more information. Find the event on Facebook under Wisconsin Ayrshires ~ Tails & Tidbits.
How to get there:
Farm address:
W3659 650th Ave.
Spring Valley, WI 54767
From interstate 94: Take exit #19 (Baldwin) from I-94. Head south on Hwy. 63 for 12 miles. Turn east (left) onto Hwy. 29 for 4 miles. Turn south (right) onto Cty. Rd. BB, travel 4 miles. Turn east (left) onto 650th Ave., farm will be the first driveway on the right. Watch for a maroon colored freestall barn on the hill.
We look forward to seeing you on June 22nd!
