Tour three calf-raising operations August 11, 12, 13
DAIRY NEWS – Every dairy operation is looking for ways to raise healthier calves, improve efficiency and raise the next generation of productive cows. Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP) will provide dairy farmers and their teams with the opportunity to explore practical solutions firsthand during the 2026 Calf Facility Tours.
Featuring three Wisconsin dairy operations, the tours will be held August 11, 12 and 13 and are open to dairy producers, calf managers, employees, veterinarians, nutritionists and other dairy professionals interested in walking through calf facilities, hearing directly from host farms and discussing the management decisions that drive their programs.
“Every dairy has different goals, facilities and resources, so there is never just one right answer,” said Laura Raatz, dairy producer from Oconto Falls, Wis., and PDP board member. “These tours give participants the chance to see a variety of successful systems, ask questions and learn why producers have made their decisions. Whether you’re considering a facility update or looking for ideas to fine-tune your calf program, you’ll leave with practical insights you can take home.”
Each tour showcases a different approach to calf raising while highlighting the fundamentals that contribute to healthy, productive calves. Topics throughout the series include facility design, ventilation, biosecurity and housing systems. Other key talking points will be calf health and nutrition, labor management, and technologies that support efficient calf care.
Dairy producers and industry professionals can register themselves and their teams for one or more of the tours:
Tuesday, August 11, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Truttmann Dairy LLC, N9682 County Road J, Blanchardville, Wis.
See how auto feeders support healthy calves in a facility where calves start in a nursery barn, then are transitioned to group housing with auto feeders.
Wednesday, August 12, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Calf Source, 3586 Cooperstown Road, De Pere, Wis.
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, August 13, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
McFarlandale Dairy, N302 County Road K, Watertown, Wis.
Tour new facilities designed for health and biosecurity where youngstock are raised in four all-in, all-out barns with individual housing until six months of age, then transition to a monoslope group housing barn.
To learn more and register for the program, visit www.pdpw.org 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.
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