On-farm calf workshops feature precision management August 31

Precision management in calf care is needed as there are many ways to add value to these heifers before they join the milking string. Join these on-farm calf workshops August 31, for a first-hand look at how fellow dairy farmers are housing pre-weaned calves using technology to help manage their calf program. These include automatic calf feeders, pasteurizers, and milk cooling systems. Areas of focus will include basic sanitation for automatic calf feeders, equipment hygiene, and housing and ventilation.

• 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Jeff West Farm - 22956 200th Street, Farmersburg, IA. From Hwy. 13, turn west on 200th St, first farm on the left. Retrofit parlor to automatic calf feeding barn utilizing a milk jug to cool milk
• 1:45-2:45 p.m. at Lee Pattison-22127 Hwy. 52, Garnavillo, IA. From Jeff West’s farm, head south on Hwy. 13, turn east on 205th Street (gravel road), then turn south onto Hwy 52 for 2 miles, farm on the west side of the road (right). All in, all out system in 2 hoop buildings and 1 monoslope barn, utilizing pasteurized milk and automatic calf feeders
• 3-4 p.m. at Kregel Farms-30392 Garber Rd., Guttenberg, IA. From Pattison’s, head south on Hwy 52 through Garnavillo, turn right onto Kale Ave./X47 for 2 miles, then turn right onto Garber Rd. for 1.5 miles, farm is on the south side. Automatic calf feeding system utilizing powdered milk.

Each of these workshops is open to the public, no preregistration is required. Workshops are sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Fitzgerald’s, and Calf-Star. If you would like to attend the workshop or would like more information contact Jenn Bentley at jbentley@iastate.edu or 563-382-2949.