EAST LANSING, Mich. - Once again, visitors to this year's Michigan State Fair will be able to experience the "miracle of life."
Veterinarians and veterinary students from Michigan State University will be active participants in the fair's "Miracle of Life" exhibit which, in its six years of existence, has become one of the fair's most popular attractions.
Occupying more than 14,000 square feet of space, the exhibit gives fair goers the unique opportunity to see the births of farm animals, including calves, lambs, piglets and poultry.
The exhibit is open Aug. 24 through Sept. 6 at the State Fairgrounds in Detroit. Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
There will be several new additions to this year's cradle roll, said Daniel Grooms, an MSU veterinarian and coordinator of MSU's part in the exhibit.
"If nature cooperates, we will bring some baby goats, as well as Guernsey, Jersey and shorthorn calves, and possibly a burro," Grooms said. "And, if the eggs are ready to hatch, we will add turkeys, ducks and quails to the hatchery."
Last year a total of 96 calves, lambs and piglets were born and more than 300 chicks hatched during the fair. Over the last six years, nearly 500 large animals have been born and more than 1,600 chicks hatched at the exhibit.
In addition, videos explaining the birthing process will be continuously running and there will be displays with additional information.
"This exhibit allows us to showcase the role of the veterinarian in the birthing process, while giving veterinary students a chance to explain the care and management of livestock to the public," said Grooms, an assistant professor of large animal clinical science in MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine.
The exhibit is staffed 24 hours a day by at least two MSU veterinary students, who monitor and care for the animals. An MSU veterinarian also is on-site to supervise the students. In all, about 40 students and 10 veterinarians will staff the exhibit.
Other exhibit sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan and the Michigan Farm Bureau.
Contact: Daniel Grooms, College of Veterinary Medicine
(517) 432-1494
or Tom Oswald, MSU University Relations
(517) 355-2281 [email protected]
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