Dec. 2 2019 04:19 PM

Learn about the latest research in dairy calf management and care

The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

ISU Extension and Outreach encourages dairy producers to register for the I-29 Moo University Winter Workshop series, “Prosperity of Dairy Calves,” to be held in five locations across the region beginning Jan. 6, 2020.

This workshop series will highlight a number of experts who will focus on topics that will help dairy producers achieve success calf management in 2020,” explained Tracey Erickson, South Dakota State University Extension Dairy Field Specialist, who is the program co-chair, along with Jennifer Bentley Clark, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

The workshops will be held in partnership with the Minnesota Milk’s Dairy Management Workshops, Minnesota Midwest Dairy District 3, 4, and 18 meetings, as well as South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa’s Midwest Dairy Checkoff Update Meetings.

The five meeting locations are as follows:

  • Perham, Minn.: Jan. 6, 2020, located at The Cactus (43521 Fort Thunder Road); in partnership with Minnesota Milk’s Dairy Management Workshops and Midwest Dairy’s District 3 and 4 meetings.
  • Brookings, S.D.: Jan. 7, 2020, located at the Swiftel Center (824 32nd Ave.); in partnership with the South Dakota’s Midwest Dairy – Checkoff Update Meetings.
  • Pipestone, Minn.: Jan. 8, 2020, located at Pipestone Systems (1801 Forman Drive); in partnership with Minnesota Milk’s Dairy Management Workshops and Midwest Dairy’s District 18 meeting.
  • Orange City, Iowa: Jan. 9, 2020, held at Sioux County Extension Office (400 Central Ave. NW); in partnership with Iowa’s Midwest Dairy Checkoff Update Meetings.
  • Wayne, Neb.: Jan. 10, 2020, held at Wayne State College, Student Center Niobrara Room (E 14th Street); in partnership with Nebraska’s Midwest Dairy Checkoff Update Meetings.

Registration details

Registration fees are waived due to generous sponsorships; however, pre-registration is requested by Jan. 2 to allow for meal counts and materials. To register, visit https://2020winterworkshopseries.eventbrite.com or go to the I-29 Moo University website at https://dairy.unl.edu/i-29-moo-university. A registration form can also be requested from Erickson at Tracey.Erickson@sdstate.edu, or Bentley at jbentley@iastate.edu.

Workshop speakers

  • Dr. Jennifer Van Os, assistant professor and extension specialist – Animal Welfare, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Dr. Pat Gorden, associate professor, vet diagnostic and production animal medicine at Iowa State University.
  • Jennifer Bentley, dairy specialist for ISU Extension and Outreach in northeast Iowa.

Agenda

The workshop agenda will be the same at all locations. The day begins at 9:30 a.m., with registration and refreshments.

At 10 a.m., Jennifer Van Os, University of Wisconsin-Madison, will present “Why Animal Welfare is Essential for the Animal, Producer, and the Consumer.”

At 11 a.m., Pat Gordon, Iowa State University, will present “Incorporation of Pain Mitigation Protocols as part of your Best Management Practices, as you Disbud Calves.”

At 1:15 p.m., Jennifer Van Os, University of Wisconsin-Madison, will present “Two Heads are Better than One: Benefits of Pair or Group Rearing of Calves.”

At 2:15 p.m., Jennifer Bentley, ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Field Specialist will provide a “Resource Update of the Incorporation of Calf Care and Handling SOP’s.”

In between each presentation, attendees will participate in Roundtable Discussion on the topic presented.

Midwest Dairy staff in each state will conduct Midwest Dairy Checkoff updates over the lunch hour.

For the full agenda, visit the I-29 Moo University events webpage.

Sponsors include:

Gold Level: STgenetics, Sealpro; Silver Level: FormAFeed, Central Plains Dairy Foundation, Elanco, Automated Waste Systems; Bronze Level: Nebraska State Dairy Association, Alforex Seeds, Iowa State Dairy Association, South Dakota Dairy Producers, Western Iowa Dairy Alliance, AminoPlus Ag Processing, Inc., Minnesota Milk, DCC Waterbeds, AgroPur, American Agco Trading Company, Phileo Lesafre Animal Care, Associated Milk Producers Inc., DiamondV, ProAg Engineering, Inc.,Cottonseed, LLC, Trans-Ova Genetics, Quality Liquid Feeds, Pipestone Veterinary Services.