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Tour Information
Learn how the cow can convert field crops (grown on site) into one of the most beneficial food products - MILK! Visit the milking parlor to see the cows being milked at 5 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. Tours take about one hour and fifteen miutes and are offered year round.
Reserved tours are offered Mondays, Wedensdays, and Fridays, at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12:30 p.m.
For more information and reservations, please call (269) 671-2507 or e-mail us.
Visitor Information
Click on any map item for more information.
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Pre-Calving Barn |
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This
barn houses non-lactating animals (dry cows and heifers) that are within 60 days
of calving. Barn features include curtain sidewalls for natural
ventilation and individual feeding gates that researchers use to monitor each
animal's feed intake.
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Nursery |
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Calves
are housed in individual hutches from birth through weaning (about six-eight
weeks). While in hutches the calves are fed twice a day. Small
groups (four-six) of weaned calves are moved to transition hutches (buildings
south of the heifer barn) to learn to socialize with others under limited stress
conditions.
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Heifer Barn |
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Heifers
are young, growing females that have not had a calf. Their feed and
housing needs are different than mature cows and therefore they are housed
separately.
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Free-stall Barn |
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The
free stall barn features natural ventilation and a manure disposal flush
system. Both reduce energy and labor requirements. The cow grouping
system allows each group to be fed a diet tailored to its needs.
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Feed Center |
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Most
of the animals' feed is in a fermented form called silage. It is stored in
either upright or horizontal silos. A dairy cow eats about 100 pounds of
feed and drinks 30 - 40 gallons of water per day.
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Milking Parlor |
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You
are now viewing the room of the milking parlor. The cows are milked daily
at 5 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. Each milking takes about two hours.
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Recycling Center |
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The
manure solids and flush water are separated in the recycling center. The
solids are composted and reused for bedding. the liquids are either
recycled back to the barn to flush the floors or used to irrigate crops.
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Environmental Concerns |
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Kellogg
Farm was designed to be environmentally friendly. Through the use of
settling ponds, grass waterways and well planned irrigation, Kellogg Dairy
maintains a concentrated livestock facility with minimal environmental impact.
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A Legacy of Conservation
A Commitment to Sustainability
©
2006 Michigan State University Board
of Trustees.
MSU is an affirmative-action,
equal-opportunity institution.