By Andi Anderson
Discover the latest insights in heifer development at the 2024 Dairy Days events, presented by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team. Taking place in various Iowa locations throughout January, this program aims to provide valuable information for dairy producers keen on optimizing their "dairy best heifers."
Scheduled sessions and speakers include:
- Dairy Best Heifer: Lessons Learned and Path Forward - Gail Carpenter, ISU
- Decision Tools for Heifer Inventory Management - Greg Palas, DRMS
- Starting Your Calves on the Right Hoof - Jardon/Jennifer Bentley, ISU
- What Does it Cost to Raise Your Dairy Best Heifer? - Larry Tranel, ISU
Dairy Days 2024 will spotlight an ongoing dairy research project conducted through ISU. This initiative involves recruiting farms to measure and benchmark heifer growth, with long-term goals focused on re-evaluating inventories, implementing changes in management practices, and enhancing heifer performance and farm profitability. The project's results will be shared as bilingual resources for employees, utilizing a hybrid approach with both in-person and virtual offerings.
Leading this impactful project is Gail Carpenter, an ISU Extension and Outreach dairy specialist with a rich background as a dairy technical services nutritionist in the industry. Carpenter's expertise contributes significantly to the state's dairy Extension efforts, and she also coaches the ISU Dairy Challenge team.
Carpenter's insights, based on the collected data, will offer guidance on best management practices for producers striving to cultivate a more profitable herd. Key suggestions from Carpenter include recognizing the critical role of heifer maturity in performance and emphasizing the importance of efficiently managing both the quantity and quality of replacement heifers. Ensuring heifers reach 80-85% of their mature body weight at first calving is highlighted as crucial for long-term health and production benefits.
Practical advice extends to implementing a data collection system tailored to each farm's unique needs and management style. Carpenter emphasizes the importance of a sustainable and straightforward system that producers can adhere to consistently.
Moreover, the call is to share collected data with consultants, including nutritionists, veterinarians, A.I. companies, and Extension specialists. Collaboration with these experts can yield valuable insights, contributing to informed decision-making based on comprehensive information.
For those interested, check-in for all Dairy Days locations begins at 9:45 a.m., and the program concludes by 2:30 p.m. The program is free of charge, but registration is encouraged to facilitate meal and proceedings planning. Pre-registration, requested by the Friday before each event, can be completed online at go.iastate.edu/2024DAIRYDAYS.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jesp62
Categories: Iowa, Livestock, Dairy Cattle