Regional Calf Management Training Workshops Video Conference

October 28 - November 15, 2014


Calf management program topics and speakers include:

Oct. 28 - Young calf care - Kim Morrill, PhD, NNY Dairy Specialist, Cornell Cooperative Extension, will discuss the critical first 24 hours, including impact of calving stress, the 5 "C's" colostrum, calories, cleanliness, comfort, consistency, as well as biosecurity, controlling scours, controlling respiratory disease, assessing the "off" calf and vaccination strategies.

Oct. 30 - Impact of environmental factors - Dr. Theresa Taraska, DVM, Dairy Specialist, CCE Lewis County and Curt Gooch, ProDairy Extension Associate Sr. Will discuss housing essentials, air quality, individual versus group housing, water quality, cold and heat stress and bedding choices.

Also on Oct. 30 - Operation overview with focus on data capture - This panel discussion will answer: What data are you collecting, why and how are you using it, and how are you using data in decision making. Panelists include dairy farmer Mike McMahon, DVM Dave Stockwell and organic dairy farmer Paul Tillotson.

Nov. 4 - Calf nutrition and delivery, from birth to weaning - Fernando Soberon, PhD, Technical Services Manager at Nutreco, Canada, will address feeding for biological potential, milk versus milk replacer, gut development, starter formulation, growth rates and weaning strategies.

Nov. 6  - Calf management issues - Corwin Holtz, Holtz-Nelson Dairy Consultants, LLC, will address auto feeders versus robots, acidified milk feeding, nipple selection, placement and number, starting calves in groups, cross sucking, basic economics of raising calves and economics of lost and culled heifers.

Nov. 15 - Farm Walk and Hands on Demonstrations, 10 am to 3 pm, McMahon's EZ Acres.
The local farm tour discussions will cover management of the newborn calf, environmental considerations, feeding and weaning management, sanitation of feeding articles and health strategies.

The program will be offered at regional sites through video conferencing. Participating sites include:

ENY
CCE of Saratoga County
50 West High St.
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Contact: Herkimer County CCE at herkimer@cornell.edu or (315) 866-7920

CCE of Herkimer County
5657 State Route 5
Herkimer, NY 13350
Contact: Herkimer County CCE at herkimer@cornell.edu or (315) 866-7920

WNY
Wyoming County CCE
401 North Main Street, Warsaw, 14569
Contact: (585)786-2251

Ontario County CCE
480 North Main Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
Contact: Jerry Bertoldo at 585-281-6816, Libby Gaige at 607-793-4847
To register for either site you can also call (585)786-2251

CNY
Room 361 Stocking Hall
Cornell Campus
Ithaca, NY
Contact: Sharon VanDeuson at shv7@cornell.edu or (607) 753-5078.
Or Betsy Hicks, 518-428-2064

NNY
Extension Learning farm (CCE St. Lawrence) Canton, NY
Contact: CCE St. Lawrence
Contact Kim Morrill at (315) 379-9192

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.

(PDF; 522KB)

The data that is collected, and the subsequent reports/findings/resources will be helpful for all of us to answer that call of "What's the average rental rate in my area?" and "How much do people charge to combine oats?"