By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The largest dairy event in Michigan will be in full swing during Ag Expo.

The Michigan Dairy Expo will be July 17-20 at the Michigan State University (MSU) Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education. It will run simultaneously with Ag Expo, which will be July 17-19 at the corner of Farm Lane and Mount Hope Road, across from the pavilion.

Dairy Expo will include dairy management seminars, commercial exhibits and state bred shows. Visitors can watch 4-H and industry events and there will be special activities aimed at teaching them about the dairy industry. More than 200 4-H members and other youths will compete in dairy quiz bowl, a cattle show, and dairy judging and dairy management contests during the event.

More than 500 cattle from statewide dairy breeders are expected to be on display and will participate in dairy shows throughout the week.

On July 18, the ninth annual Great Dairy Adventure consumer education day will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free event will help participants make the connection between cows and dairy products with hands-on activities and samples of healthy, refreshing treats.

“The Great Dairy Adventure is a fun and educational event that shows people how milk gets from the farm to their table and teaches them the importance of consuming at least three servings of dairy a day,” said Shari Blonde, Great Dairy Adventure chairwoman.

Participants of all ages can try their hand milking a cow, petting calves, experimenting with dairy recipes, making craft projects, playing games and having milk mustache photos taken with MSU athletes.

This year’s event will feature ice cream treats, giveaways, drawings and hands-on activities that teach people about the nutritional benefits of dairy foods. In addition, nutritional education materials that have simple, tasty recipes will be provided.

Visitors also will be able to walk through the animal displays and see first-hand how dairy cattle are cared for. Producers will be on-hand to answer questions.

In addition to the youth events, adult competitors will take the showring with state dairy breed association open shows July 19-20. Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey, and red and white dairy cattle will compete to be named supreme champion.

Admission is free. During Ag Expo shuttles will run every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to transport visitors between Michigan Dairy Expo and Ag Expo.