Healthy calves are the foundation of a productive dairy herd, but there is no one-size-fits-all approach to raising calves and replacement heifers. The 2026 calf facility tours presented by Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) will provide the opportunity for a behind-the-scenes perspective of three progressive dairy operations and the management practices, equipment and technologies they use to care for the youngest members of their herd.
Each tour will be led by farm hosts and provide opportunities for attendees to ask questions of the hosts. Attendees can select one or more of the tours.
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 1 to 3 p.m.
Truttman Dairy LLC, N9682 County Road J, Blanchardville, Wisconsin
See how autofeeders support healthy calves in a facility where calves start in a nursery barn, then are transitioned to group housing with autofeeders.
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 1 to 3 p.m.
Calf Source, 3586 Cooperstown Road, De Pere, Wisconsin
Learn the protocols and practices behind effective large-scale calf raising for the Milk Source family of dairies; the farm is home to 11,000 dairy and beef calves and 4,000 goat kids.
Thursday, Aug. 13, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
McFarlandale Dairy, N302 County Road K, Watertown, Wisconsin
Tour new facilities designed for health and biosecurity where youngstock are raised in four all-in, all-out barns with individual housing until 6 months of age, then transition to a monoslope group housing barn.
“If you’re considering changes to your calf-raising practices or making investments into new equipment or technologies, touring other farms is a great way to see those practices in action and learn from people who work with calves every day,” said Patty Dolph, Lake Mills, Wisconsin, dairy producer and PDP board secretary. “Conversations with dairy farm hosts and other attendees always provide new ideas and insights to put to work on your own farm right away.”
To learn more and register for the program, visit the PDP website or contact PDP at (800) 947-7379. Each tour is accredited for up to 2.0 Dairy AdvanCE continuing education credits. Follow along digitally in advance of and during the event by following PDP on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
—From a Professional Dairy Producers news release
