HEIFERMAX

1. What sized dairy are you involved with?

0 - 200 cows

201 - 500 cows

501 - 1,000 cows

1,001 – 1,500 cows

Over 1,500 cows

2. In which country do you live and work?

Imagine someone is giving you advice on heifer management. They are making recommendations about changing your heifer management practices.

3. How important are these qualities to you in convincing you to adopt their recommendations? (Rank from 1, most important to 5, least important)

Knowledge of scientific findings

Pleasant manner

Tertiary qualifications in relevant field (e.g. vet or ag dept personnel)

Personal, hands on experience of heifer management on dairies

Enthusiasm for their subject

4. Which of the following learning forums is most likely to result in changes to your management practices? (Rank from 1, most likely to 6, least likely)

One to one discussion with advisor on your farm, including looking at your calves and facilities

One to one discussion with advisor in office (his or yours)

Discussion group, including advisor and other local farmers

On farm field day at someone else’s farm

Formal education course held in classroom (e.g. run at Tech or Ag College)

Conference, with knowledgable speakers

5. Which factors would be most likely to influence you to change your heifer management practices? (Rank from 1, most likely to 7, least likely)

Animal welfare factors

Direct costs of sub-optimal heifer management practices (e.g. vet bills, extra labour costs)

Productivity losses to enterprise from sub-optimal heifer management practices (e.g. lower lifetime milk production, difficulties getting 1st calvers back in calf)

Dislike of working with sick calves

Peer pressure

Understanding research findings and their relevance to your enterprise

Wanting to match excellent results on neighbouring farms

Thankyou for your time.