Southern Region Learns About Modern Dairy Management

Southern Region IEAFCS Members and friends toured Marcoot's Jersey Creamery in Greenville, IL recently. It was very interesting to hear how the family has kept their business going for seven generations--since the 1850's!

It has changed considerably over the years, and is now run by female family members. They have around 100 jersey cows, but do not sell any milk! It is all made into cheese, ice cream, and even whey ices!




We were able to observe them making cheese curds, and the samples were great!. The robotic milking process is very impressive. Human hands never touch the cows! It's not just your everyday milking machine!

Calves only stay with their mothers about an hour before being separated and raised on a bottle. As you can see here,  Rusti was enjoying the gentleness of a little one in the calf barn.

Pictured above are Carol Schlitt, Lori, (our tour guide), Karen Barker, Rusti Grogan, Joy Richey, Janet Burnett, and Martha Speir.

After the tour, we also enjoyed lunch at the Copper Dock Winery in Pocahontas, IL. Thanks to Janet Burnett for making arrangements for us.