UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Adults learn by doing and that's exactly what they do in the Dairy Alliance's Cow Sense Program.

"Dairy Alliance held its last scheduled Cow Sense workshops on April 10 at Burk-Lea Farms near Chambersburg and on Feb. 6 at the Kulp Family Dairy near Martinsburg," says Tammy Perkins, Dairy Alliance program manager in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. "Both workshops were filled to capacity and the participants were enthusiastic about the hand-on activities."

Cow Sense focuses on improving the systematic, early detection of problem cows. Instructors use transition cows for training purposes because transition cows are the most likely to develop problems. Participants learn about the metabolic and health challenges faced by transition cows and how those challenges relate to potential health problems. Participants also receive training materials and techniques that they can take home to teach their co-workers.

When participants were asked about the most helpful part of the training, Perkins says, responses included:

• "The hands-on experience with the vets. They were very informative and answered all of our questions."
• "Giving ideas on how to train people the proper way."
• "The amount of information was perfect. It's a crucial part of dairying and having hands-on exposure helped impress it on our minds and show how concepts are related to each other. Great handouts!"

Local extension staff, farm management agent Mike Harteis and dairy agent Phil Wagner assisted the Dairy Alliance staff with the workshops. Local veterinarians Shawn Orcazek, Joe Itle and Bob Welch taught at Martinsburg, while veterinarians Stanley Stratton and Alan Oliver taught at Chambersburg. Penn State instructors included Gabriella Varga, professor of animal science; Dave Griswold, research associate in veterinary science; Bob Van Saun, associate professor of veterinary science; Richard Stup, senior extension associate in dairy and animal science; and Capitol Region extension agents Arlen Mills and Tim Beck.

The Dairy Alliance collaborates with diverse stakeholders in the dairy industry to deliver educational programs that help producers take advantage of opportunities for future viability.

For information on future Dairy Alliance programs, contact Tammy Perkins at (888) 373-PADA or tap10@psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Tammy Perkins at (888) 373-PADA, or via e-mail at tap10@psu.edu. Pictures are available.

Contacts:

Tammy Perkins tap10@psu.edu (888) 373-PADA

Kim Dionis KDionis@psu.edu 814-863-2703 814-865-1068 fax