The National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) is conducting a first-of-its-kind study on the health and management practices of custom heifer-rearing operations in the U.S. The "Dairy Heifer Raiser 2011" study will include data from custom heifer raisers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
While health and management practices (including biosecurity) will be a major focus of the study, participants also will be surveyed on their opinions regarding future challenges facing the custom heifer rearing industry.
In addition to the overall results of the study, participating operations will receive a customized report comparing results from their operations with others in their state or region.
If you are a dairy heifer raiser interested in participating in this study, click here for more information. To sign up to participate, contact Abby Fienhold at NAHMS, (866) 907-8190. She will direct you to the appropriate animal health official in your state. PD
—From DCHA newsletter
