The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association has undergone several new changes over the past year. (See our interview with Jack Banker last year and the news release about the new logo.) So it's fitting that the association's annual conference has a theme of "Be a Driver of Change."
SPECIAL OFFER!
Enter Progressive Dairyman's promo code "PD10514" at checkout during registration for the conference to receive $25 off the cost of registration. Online registration is available until March 18. You can also provide the promo code when registering for the conference in person.
Conference attendees will be able to visit four tour stops, with each stop offering expertise and perspectives from calf industry experts. We reached out to tour presenters to provide a sneak peek of what they have planned for their training sessions.
Tours A and B will take place April 1. (Click here for sneak peeks of Tours C and D.)
TOUR STOP A:
With a visit to one of the largest dairy calf and heifer-specific operations in the Midwest, you’ll see how size and scale does not compromise the priority given to rearing excellence. You’ll learn more and see how ventilation, sanitation and early symptom discovery all work together to keep a calf healthy and thrifty.
Ryan Leiterman, DVM, speaking on ventilation
Director of Technical Services
Crystal Creek
Q. What three key elements will your presentation focus on?
LEITERMAN: My presentation will focus on:
1. The importance of selecting a qualified professional to design your calf barn ventilation system.
2. New technology available in duct manufacturing and advancements in positive pressure duct design software.
3. The positive impacts that a well- designed calf barn ventilation system will have on calf raising profitability.
Q. Why is it important for calf and heifer raisers to understand this topic?
LEITERMAN: Calfhood pneumonia is one of the most significant health challenges that calf and heifer raisers face. It is also one of the most economically devastating due to its lingering impacts on health and production. A single case of calfhood pneumonia can reduce first lactation milk yield by more than 1,500 pounds.
Advancements in calf barn ventilation technologies have the ability to dramatically improve the environment in which calves and heifers are raised; subsequently improving their health, productivity and ultimately their profitability.
Dr. Julian (Skip) Olson, speaking on sanitation
Milk Products, Inc.
Q. What three key elements will your presentation focus on?
OLSON: The importance of sanitation, why it is important to calf health and quick tips in ensuring your process is effective.
Q. Why is important for calf and heifer raisers to understand this topic?
OLSON: Calf raisers today are faced with many priorities and challenges and sanitation is just one of them. However, the bacteria load that is being delivered to the calf can be a game changer.
Q. What do you think will make this year's DCHA conference different than in years past?
OLSON: Many people are visual learners, so the on-farm demonstrations will be key in insuring calf raisers take as much away from the event as possible. There are also many successful producers represented on the panels, that will be able to provide a lot of real life lessons.
Kelly Peters, DVM, speaking on early signs of calf health
Country Side Veterinary Service
Q. What three key elements will your presentation focus on?
PETERS: My presentation will focus on arrival processing procedures, feeding strategies at Calf Source, a brief summary of vaccination and treatment protocols, and successful disease prevention and treatment strategies will be discussed.
Q. Why is important for calf and heifer raisers to understand this topic?
PETERS: The operation has the unique situation of having dual roles as both the grower and the customer in this operation. This position exemplifies the goal of raising a quality heifer in an efficient, profitable manner.
TOUR STOP B:
At this tour stop, we’ll focus on what goes in and what comes out. You’ll learn about near infrared (NIR) technology and monitoring dry matter levels in forage, manure management, and get a high level overview of a TMR audit.
Chris Horton, speaking on NIR technology and monitoring dry matter levels in forages
Manager of Product Planning
Digi-Star, LLC
Q. What three key elements will your presentation focus on?
HORTON: My presentation will focus on:
1. The Importance of correct rations for weaned calves and heifers.
2. The importance of dry matter and the needs and challenges of measuring dry matter
3. The traditional and new instantaneous methods for measuring dry matter
Q. Why is important for calf and heifer raisers to understand this topic?
HORTON: It seems that some farms do not put a significant importance to the rations and feeding of weaned calves and especially heifers. The attitude can be "Any old feed will do as long as feed ist kept in front of the heifers." This is not how we feed our children. Why would we not apply the same thought, logic, and care to feeding calves and heifers as we do to feeding our children? The goal is the same, to feed our youngstock properly so that they can grow to meet their full potential as adults.
Peter Westra, speaking on manure management strategies
Hull Coop Association
Q. What three key elements will your presentation focus on?
WESTRA: I plan to focus on and review manure sample results with producers and discuss with them how to value the nutrients in manure. We will discuss the differences between organic nitrogen in manure and ammonia nitrogen, and discuss ways to make their manure more valuable and profitable for their operations.
Q. Why is it important for calf and heifer raisers to understand this topic?
WESTRA: If you raise livestock you are going to have to deal with manure. Manure doesn’t have to be a cost it can be a resource for your operation if managed properly.
To register to attend the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association conference, April 1-3 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, visit the DCHA website or call (855) 400-DCHA (3242). PD
