ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host three dairy heifer field days focused on heifer reproduction and growth management, facilities, and economics.
The field days will be held March 26, 27, and 28 in Postville, Kalona, and Sioux Center, respectively.
“Nearly 25 percent of a dairy’s production costs are in raising heifer replacements, thus a considerable amount of feed, time, and facilities must be invested in to optimize growth for heifers to calve at an appropriate age,” said Fred Hall, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “That is why this topic of raising dairy heifers can have significant financial and herd benefits to producers.”
The first two field days will be held March 26 and March 27 at the Taylor Bontrager Dairy (1881 Johnson Washington Rd. SW, Kalona) and the Brian and Monica Enyart Dairy, (630 Highway 51 South, Postville) respectively.
The third field day, which is more local for producers along the I-29 corridor, will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 28 at the Dordt University Agriculture Stewardship Center, 3648 US-75, Sioux Center. A complimentary lunch will be provided.
Topics will include “Facilities and Ventilation,” presented by ISU Extension and Outreach Ag Engineering Specialist Kris Kohl; “The Economics of Raising Dairy Heifers,” presented by ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Specialist Larry Tranel; and “Biosecurity and Foreign Animal Diseases,” presented by Dr. Lisa Hindle with USDA Veterinary Services and Dr. Greg Schmitt with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
After lunch from 1 to 4 p.m., a Spanish and English Reproduction Training will take place for those wanting a better understanding of best management practices when working with artificial insemination programs. Victor Gomez, assistant professor and Extension dairy specialist with Kansas State University, will lead the training.
There is no fee to attend the field days, because this material is based upon work supported by USDA-NIFA under Award Number 2021-70027-34694.
Register online at https://go.iastate.edu/DAIRYHEIFER2024 or by calling the ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County office at 712-737-4230.
For more information, contact ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Specialists Fred Hall at 71-737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu; Jennifer Bentley at 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu; or Larry Tranel at 563-583-6496 or tranel@iastate.edu.