More than 135 students got an up-close look at the dairy industry at the sixth annual Dairy Awareness Introductory Resource for Youth University (DAIRY U) on May 3. It was the largest crowd in the six-year history of the event hosted by the Auburn University Animal Sciences Department and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
“DAIRY U is a hands-on workshop for youth that focuses on dairy cattle and the dairy industry,” said Extension dairy specialist Boyd Brady, who coordinated the event. “This program allows youth from various backgrounds to learn about the science of dairying.”
Extension specialists and Auburn Animal Sciences professors and students led classes involving a milking demonstration, the gestation cycle of bovines, hormones in vegetables and milk, how to properly administer injections, cattle identification, DNA tracing, bacteria transfer, showmanship and a treat from Dippin’ Dots made fresh by participants.
Participants received awards based on years of completion in the program. Awards included a certificate for first-year participants, a personalized old-fashioned milk bottle for fifth-year students and a DAIRY U belt buckle for sixth-year participants.
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