HEIFERMAX

The Professional Calf Rearers’ Association of Australia is holding its annual conference on 1st July 2009 at the Airport Motel, 33 Ardlie St. Attwood, Vic. 3049.

Click here to view the flyer.

I am just writing the report required of me by RIRDC at the conclusion of my year as Tasmanian Rural Woman of the Year. In writing this report, I gave some thought to the question of what I perceived to be the greatest challenge facing the calf rearing industry.

I have seen 100’s of 1000’s of calves being reared for a variety of reasons, both within Australia and in other parts of the world. My belief is that the greatest problem facing the calf rearing industry is a common thread uniting these different enterprises and different countries.

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The P.C.R.A.A. is fortunate to have secured the renowned Dr. Temple Grandin as the keynote speaker at its 2009 conference, which will be held on 1st July at the Airport Motel, Attwood.

Dr. Grandin is recognised as a world leader in livestock handling and animal psychology and her work has revolutionised stockyard design and stock handling methods world wide. She has designed livestock facilities throughout the United States and in Canada, Europe, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries. Her curved race systems are used worldwide and her writings on the flight zone and other principles of grazing animal behavior have helped many producers to reduce stress during handling.

Dr. Grandin has a Ph.D in Animal Science and is currently a professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University. This enables her to continue her research while teaching courses on stockyard design and livestock handling. She has done extensive work on the design of handling facilities with the result that half the cattle in the U.S. and Canada are handled in equipment she has designed for meat plants.

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The D.C.H.A. holds its annual conference in a different state of America each year. These conferences are a fascinating collection of presentations by speakers who have expertise in all facets of dairy heifer care and welfare.

At the beginning of April Sam was lucky enough to attend the 2009 conference, which was held in Tucson, Arizona. Kerry Spain, who was the 2008 winner of the “Diamond V Calf Rearer of the Year” award was also able to attend this great event. I am looking forward to catching up with Kerry to hear what she thought of the event. As soon as I have the copy of the proceedings Sam is sending me, I will post some of the information on the website.

Now that green feed has mostly disappeared from paddocks, even in the wetter parts of Tasmania, it is time to consider the diet of weaned heifer calves. All too often spring calved heifers are left in paddocks with no green feed and no supplementation of the dry feed.

Young heifers, particularly those under 6 months of age, have high nutrient requirements in relation to their rumen size. This means that they need to be eating high protein, high energy feed to be meeting target growth rates.

Short, lush, actively growing pasture is great for heifers over 6 months. Heifers under 6 months may still need some supplementation, particularly when pastures start to senesce. The low nutrient levels and high NDF in older pastures means calves will have trouble eating enough to be growing at the required rate. Once heifers reach 6 months, they will be able to take in enough green pasture to be actively growing; if pastures have dried off, these heifers will also need some supplementation. 1 kg of 14-16% protein pellets will make a big difference to growth rates.

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Spring calving herds have weaned most of their calves by now. After heifers are put onto pasture is often the time that they go backwards, so in the resources section we have added an article on pasture feeding heifers and also on how to calculate growth rates necessary to achieve target mating and calving weights.

In many areas it looks as if it might be a tight season; this means that heifers may have to be supplemented more heavily than normal because the nutrient value of the pasture is insufficient to support ideal daily growth rates.

For calf raisers working with autumn calving herds we have just added more information to the resources page which may be useful in the care of baby calves.

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The 2008 Annual Conference was held at the AIRPORT MOTEL AND CONVENTION CENTRE in July.

Although the day was not quite as well attended as last year those attending were very impressed with the range of topics presented and the calibre of the speakers. It has always been the intention of the P.C.R.A.A. to present information in an easy to understand format, so that farmers can implement the recommendations of the speakers when they return home. Once again, we must thank the sponsors for supporting our Association.

Next year’s conference is likely to have a keynote speaker of international renown and of interest to dairy farmers as well as to beef and sheep graziers. Watch this space for details or go to www.calfrearers.asn.au.

Professional Calf Rearers’ Association of Australia

2008 Annual Conference

Conference, pre-dinner drinks and dinner at
AIRPORT MOTEL AND CONVENTION CENTRE
33 Ardlie St, Attwood, VIC 3049. (Melways ref.Map 5, K6)

Accommodation also available.
8 a.m. registration for 9 a.m. start on 17th July 2008

Speakers.

We are proud to present a stimulating array of speakers and discussion topics, including,

• Dr Sam Leadley, calf & heifer management specialist from the U.S.A., speaking on how management issues relate to calf health;
• Dr Kate Woodard, Senior Technical Services Veterinarian for Intervet, will be talking on how best to manage vaccine programmes on farm;
• the 2007 winner of the Diamond V Young Calf Rearer of the Year award, Mrs. Sally Hood, will present her findings from her trip to the U.S.A. to attend the DCHA conference and from various farm visits whilst being hosted by the staff of the Diamond V mills;
• the finalists in the Diamond V Calf Rearer of the Year 2008 will present their essays on their perceptions of a problem confronting the calf rearing industry and their ideas for solving it;
• a discussion about farm labour, led by Dr. Pauline Brightling and Ms. Rebecca Dickson, an Industry Trainer for the National Centre for Dairy Education-Australia, and winner of an award for employer excellence;
• the final session will be a panel discussion, involving the audience, about establishment of a code of practice and accreditation for calf rearers/growers.

Costs.

$30 for members, $80 for associate members and $150 for non-members (includes conference, morning and afternoon tea, lunch and pre-dinner drinks).

Dinner $58 for an excellent 3 course dinner. Membership – due 1st July 2008 - $100 p.p.

Registration - Phone Jeanette on 03 64912636 or 0428 867551

Website - www.calfrearers.asn.au