The 2015 Kenton County Farm Tour is just around the corner and the free family event will be offering something of interest for everyone.
“At its core, agriculture is still about offering fiber and food for our existence,” says Dan Allen, Kenton County Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources. “But agriculture always moves forward like any other industry.”
This year, during the Kenton County Farm Harvest Tour on September 19, Eddie Gibson of Ed-Mar Dairy will be showcasing a robotic milking machine in his dairy parlor. The first of its kind in the state of Kentucky, this robot uses high-tech sensors, and computers to milk his Holstein dairy herd. This high-tech gadget records the amount of milk produced by each cow, cleans her utter with brushes, and feeds her while she is standing in the stall. The farmer does not have to open the stall for the cow – a radio frequency tag collar the cow is wearing will open the gate. It is a low-stress situation as it allows the cow to be milked any time during the day, and it can be monitored by the farmer from a laptop computer.
Southeast of Ed-Mar, Dr. Jennifer Myka is the owner operator of Free Radical Ranch. This “low tech” farm features Suri alpacas which are raised for their fiber. According to Suri breeders, the alpacas’ wool is soft as cashmere, warmer than wool, with the luster of silk. Considered one of the finest wools in the world, Jennifer shears this premium wool right here in Kenton County. Jennifer’s background includes animal science and she prides herself on raising a healthy herd of this wondrous creature.
From Kenton County Cooperative Extension/Photo: Ed-Mar Dairy (via Facebook)