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Please replace any copies of the brochure with this revised copy and let me know if you have any questions. Clarification: Although the topic of pasture management ought to be the primary focus of the evening, it would be a conspicuous and needless omission if we left the Unger's marketing strategy undiscussed or if we purposefully diverted the discussion away from the topic. So, because there is much controversy swirling around the topic, it seems good to invite a representative from the MDA and other MSU experts to discuss the topic with us -- which is underway right now. Thanks! Dan _________________________________________________ Mid-Michigan Grazing Group, September Meeting: Dairy Delight 6:00 p.m., September 18, 2007 Unger Dairy (Dairy Delight) 11341 Killin Road, Howell, MI Cost: Free (donations for food) Please RSVP by calling 517-676-7207 or e-mail [log in to unmask] Producer Background Kris Unger began pasture-based dairy production in 1996 and currently has about 90 acres of cool-season grass and legume pastures. Primary pasture species include perennial ryegrass, white clover, and timothy. Kris is currently milking 25 cows with Jersey and milking shorthorn genetics. During the summer the cows are on rotationally grazed pasture and only receive about 3 pounds of corn per day; in the winter, they receive hay and about 10 pounds of supplemental corn. The only winter shelters made available to the cattle are quansit huts. The herd used to be managed seasonally, but since Kris started marketing “cow shares” (January of 2007) rather than milk, it was necessary to manage the herd to produce milk year round. Please join us! 6:00 p.m., September 18, 2007 Unger Dairy (Dairy Delight) 11341 Killin Road, Howell, MI Cost: Free (donations for food) Please RSVP by calling 517-676-7207 or e-mail [log in to unmask] What are cow shares? While the FDA, CDC, and state regulatory agencies are adamant that consuming raw milk is unsafe, some consumers believe that the benefits of consuming raw milk outweigh the risks. Although it is currently illegal to sell raw milk directly to consumers due to potential health risks, it is not illegal to consume raw milk from a cow that you own. Some dairy producers have sold ‘shares’ of their herd to consumers who want to have access to raw milk*. Under this system, the consumers actually own the cows and pay the dairy producer to board and milk the cow and to make a certain amount of milk available to the share-holder. To learn more about different views on this topic, visit the web-sites** listed on the back of this brochure. *The practices of consuming raw milk and selling milk through ‘cow shares’ is not endorsed by Michigan State University **The web-sites listed on the back are included to demonstrate the range of opinions that exist . The claims made on the web-sites are not of equal scientific merit and are not intended to represent the position of Michigan State University in any way. Registration Name _________________ Address _______________ City __________Zip ______ Phone: ________________ Cell: __________________ Email:_________________ Number of people attending: __________________ RSVP by calling Connie @ 517-676-7207 or e-mailing [log in to unmask] MSU Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal opportunity employer.” “Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by calling Connie at 517-676-7207 by September 7, 2007 to ensure sufficient time to make arrangements. Requests received after this date will be met when possible.” Daniel Hudson Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator Ingham County MSU Extension 121 E. Maple Street P.O. Box 319 Mason, MI 48854 Office Phone: 517-676-7207 ext 7291 If you would like to access previous postings to the Mich-Organic listserv you can copy and paste the following URL into your browser address bar http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html