2025 NMC Annual Meeting Optional Tours

The NMC Annual Meeting is designed for all individuals interested in mastitis control, quality milk production and udder health. Attendees come from around the world and include veterinarians, dairy producers, researchers, extension specialists, industry suppliers, dairy processor field representatives, regulatory officials, teachers and students. The meeting features world-renowned presenters who will address a variety of milk quality production principles and offer hands-on strategies to improve udder health.

Rocky Creek Dairy, Olin, NC

After initially renting the 450-acre farm and starting with 400 cows in 1992, the Shelton family purchased the farm after a few years and dedicated themselves to expanding and improving cow comfort, production and efficiency. The farm has grown to 1,400 cows and 1,250 heifers and calves on 1,900 acres, with an additional 500 rented acres, operated by two family members and 26 employees. The staff milks 1,260 cows three times a day, with a rolling herd annual average of 31,200 pounds of milk with 3.6% fat. The milk goes directly from its double-16 parallel parlor to tanker trucks, which transport the milk for processing.

Grayhouse Dairy, Statesville, NC

Grayhouse Farms’ decision to build a new dairy was not one that was taken lightly. They first toured other farms, doing their research on what design would best suit them. This led to brothers Jimmy and Andy Gray building a brand-new dairy five years ago with conservation and efficiency in mind. Factor in the dozens of water and soil conservation practices implemented on the Stony Point, N.C. dairy and it’s easy to see why Grayhouse Farms was awarded a 2022 U.S. Dairy Sustainability award.