The evening of July 18 is the date for the 2017 Dairy Twilight Tour. This year’s host farm is Rosedale Farms, located on TR 405 near Jeromesville. Paul and Olivia Keener own and operate the farm. Tour attendees will see a farm that milks approximately 600 cows and that is one of the highest production herds in the state. The rolling herd average is in excess of 32,000 pounds per cow. To achieve that production level, management on the farm focuses on keeping cows healthy and comfortable. Recently the American Dairy Association (ADA) Mid-east has featured Paul and Olivia Keener in some video clips promoting the farm and the dairy industry. The ADA is highlighting the Keener farm, along with other farms, on their web site at https://www.drink-milk.com/farms/ .
An important note to this year’s tour is that there is no parking at the farm. Arrangements have been made for all tour attendees to park at nearby Hillsdale High School located at 485 TR 1902, Jeromesville. Buses are available to shuttle tour attendees to and from the farm. Look for dairy tour signs on SR 30 directing traffic to Hillsdale High School. The dairy tour begins around 6:00 pm and ends around 9:00 pm. There will be a brief program at 8:00 pm to introduce the Keener family and to allow Paul and Olivia to explain the management practices that make the farm successful.
In addition to walking through the freestall barns and viewing the milking parlor, attendees will have the opportunity to visit the displays and exhibits set up by the tour sponsors. The dairy tour typically has 60 plus sponsors set up some kind of display or exhibit, including tractors, machinery and equipment. Those exhibits represent the incredible dairy industry infrastructure that we have in this area of the state. The support structure of feed, seed, supplies, equipment, and services such as electric, insurance, financial consultants and Ag lenders is all necessary to have a thriving dairy industry. Another highlight of the tour, thanks to our sponsors support, is the free chicken and pork meal. Meal serving begins at 6:00 pm and continues throughout the evening. In addition to the meal there is pie, ice cream, cheese, and of course, plenty of milk available.
Make plans to attend the dairy twilight tour the evening of July 18 as Paul and Olivia Keener welcome you to Rosedale Farms. Click here for an informational flyer or contact the Extension office at 330-264-8722 for more information.