THE decisions made at a young age can have a big influence of future productivity, according to United States' based researcher Bob James.
“The best milking cows come from raising better calves," he said.
Dr James, from the Department of Dairy Science at Virginia Tech, will be speaking at the DairySA Central Conference, with the goal to challenge dairyfarmers to thinking differently about feeding calves correctly to allow them to achieve their genetic potential.
He believes no matter what size or system of a dairy farm, the best cows come from raising better calves.
He said farmers needed to stop thinking about how much calf rearing cost overall and instead successful calf rearing should be assessed by the overall lifetime production and performance.
Dr James joins a line-up of speakers at the DairySA Central Conference, selected to fit the theme of Diverse Dairy: Driving Opportunities.
More than 120 dairyfarmers and service providers from across SA’s Fleurieu Peninsula, Barossa, Mid North, and Riverland are expected to attend the event, which will be held on March 14 at The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend.
- Details: Register at dairysaconference2019.eventbrite.com.au
