They came for the cows, they left with connection.
The impact of industry outreach.
Outreach has always been a personal area of passion. The instant gratification of seeing the “light bulb” moments when a consumer connects with a farmer, a dairy product, or even a cow in a way they hadn’t before. It’s knowing that in just a matter of minutes, people walk away with a new appreciation for our industry.
Volunteering at the NY Animal Agriculture Coalitions' (NYAAC) Dairy Cow Birthing Center has been a constant throughout the last decade of my career in the dairy industry. From long-time volunteer to past board member of the NY Animal Agriculture Coalition, I was excited for the opportunity to connect with this organization in my new role with Poulin Grain Inc.
People from all over New York State and beyond visit the NYAAC dairy exhibit to witness “udder miracles” be born at the NYS Fair. This tradition attracts many folks and their families back to the fair in hopes of witnessing live births and interacting with farmers. For many from urban areas, it is often their only exposure to New York’s dairy industry. Although last minute logistical changes impacted the size and scale of this years’ experience, the organization made the most of the footprint they had to work with.
The people came for the cows, but left with a stronger connection to our industry.
Poulin Grain supported the Dairy Discovery experience this year highlighting dairy cow nutrition. A static display entitled “Inside a Dairy Cow’s Diet” showcased different key elements of a total mixed ration. The foundation of home-grown forages like corn silage, grass silage, rye and triticale. Sources of energy like corn meal and recycled bakery. Sources of protein like high quality haylage, soybean meal and canola meal. Vitamins and minerals like calcium, salt, vitamin A and E. All of these ingredients are carefully combined so that every bite of the cow’s diet is nutritionally balanced for her needs.
The exhibit also featured several byproducts that are fed in the dairy cow ration. Examples displayed included cotton seeds (byproduct of clothing production), bakery meal (byproduct from baked goods), citrus pulp (byproduct of orange juice production), wheat-midds (byproduct of flour milling), and distillers’ grains(byproduct of distilling process). The key message was to show that thanks to their complex ruminant digestive system, dairy cows are able to recycle nutrients from products that cannot be consumed by humans and would be otherwise considered waste. Takeaway: dairy cows do so much more for us and our planet than just producing delicious milk!
Hundreds of people of all ages interacted with Poulin team members and FFA volunteers throughout the two-week fair. The clicking of the spinning wheel certainly was a draw as attendees walked into the Dairy Discovery tent. Countless conversations were had about what farmers grow to feed their cows, who they work with to keep their cows healthy and productive, and how cows help reduce waste by eating byproducts.
Then it clicks. The excited “ah-ha” moment as they walk over to purchase chocolate milk or cheese curds. And the result? A strengthened love for dairy products, a better-informed consumer, and a more understanding neighbor.
Poulin Grain looks forward to supporting the NYAAC at the NYS Fair again for years to come! Learn more👉🏼 https://nyanimalag.org/dairy-cow-birthing-center/
~ Blog Post By Alyssa Kealy, Dairy Nutrition & Outreach Specialist
