Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to Host the 2025 Southwest Dairy Day in Dublin
Dublin, Texas — October 9, 2025 — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host the annual Southwest Dairy Day on Thursday, October 9, at the Double N Cowboy Church (7202 E. State Highway 6). The event, widely recognized as the largest dairy educational field day in Texas, draws roughly 500 participants from farm families, allied industry professionals, students, and community members.
Participants will gather at the host site beginning at 8 a.m., enjoying vendor exhibits, sponsored lunch, and receiving two Dairy Outreach Program Area (DOPA) credits — a valuable addition to their nutrient management plans as mandated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas A&M AgriLife Register. Bus tours to the Pepper Organic Dairy and Heifer Farm are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering on‑site educational opportunities showcasing organic dairy production systems and management practices.
Event Purpose and Highlights
Originating in 1991, Southwest Dairy Day was founded by AgriLife county agents and specialists to bring dairy producers together to explore new technologies and equipment that could enhance herd management and productivity. Since then, the event has rotated across Texas—High Plains, Central Texas, and other regions—visiting a variety of innovative dairies. Past hosts have included Sierra Dairy, Postmus Organic Farms, Avi‑Lanche Dairy, Wildcat Dairy, Del Rio Dairy, T&K Dairy, and others.
Snapshot of past topics and tours:
- 2019, T&K Dairy near Snyder: Focus on robotic milking, “water beds” for cow comfort, massaging brushes, rumination collars, and manure management systems. Featured the only fully automatic milking system in Texas.
- 2022, Scotland & Windthorst region: Tours of three robotic dairies—Wolf’s Legendairy, Hemmi Family Dairy, and Vieth Dairy—paired with expert talks on precision technologies, barn retrofits, and animal comfort.
- 2023, Del Rio Dairy near Bovina: Featured an anaerobic digester, rotary parlor with automated teat sanitation, Saudi‑style barns, and sponsor booths; drew attendees from Texas and New Mexico, with about 400 participants.
These examples illustrate SWDD’s consistent focus on integrating cutting‑edge technologies such as robotic milking, precision monitoring (collars, sensors), sustainability tools (digesters), and animal comfort innovations (water beds, automated sanitation).
What to Expect at the 2025 Event
- Organic Dairy Insights: Tour a certified organic dairy system—the Pepper Organic Dairy—highlighting pasture management, milking systems, and regenerative approaches.
- Technology and Management: Expect demonstrations of milking equipment, health and comfort technologies, and nutrient‑efficient management tailored for organic operations.
- Networking & Knowledge Sharing: Meet dairy producers, extension specialists, vendors, and students. Build partnerships and learn from peers who balance sustainability with productivity.
- Actionable Takeaways: Learnable applications to integrate into your own herd and farm—from adoption strategies to cost‑benefit analysis of technology, reflecting lessons learned in past tours.
Quotes & Key Benefits
Dr. Juan Piñeiro, AgriLife Extension dairy specialist:
“Southwest Dairy Day has long served as a platform to evaluate innovations that can increase efficiency, improve animal welfare, and enhance profitability. This year’s organic emphasis offers a unique lens on how sustainability and economic viability go hand in hand.”
Dr. Sushil Paudyal, dairy science expert, notes from past events:
“Technology only pays off when integrated thoughtfully. Whether robotic milkers or monitoring sensors, producers must use the data these systems provide to make informed decisions and drive return on investment.”
AgriLife Extension’s Role: By facilitating tours, expert presentations, vendor exhibits, and credit-earning opportunities, the program fosters learning, adoption of innovation, and regulatory compliance.
Event Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Location | Double N Cowboy Church, 7202 E. State Hwy 6, Dublin, TX |
| Highlights | Bus tours to organic dairy; vendor booths; expert presentations; free lunch |
| Target Audience | Dairy producers, organic & conventional; allied industry; students; extension agents |
| Educational Value | 2 DOPA credits for nutrient management plan compliance |
| Cost | Free |
| Goals | Showcase organic dairy innovation; peer learning; technology adoption; regulatory planning |
Closing Invitation
Southwest Dairy Day 2025 invites all dairy stakeholders to immerse in organic dairy production—where animal health, regenerative systems, and technological advancement converge. Join us for a day of innovation, engagement, and inspiration. Together, we are shaping the future of dairy in Texas.
For questions or further details, contact Dr. Jennifer Spencer jennifer.spencer@ag.tamu.edu or Dr. Juan Piñeiro juan.pineiro@ag.tamu.edu at AgriLife Extension.
Texas A&M AgriLife Organic 