Calf rearing seminar abuzz

Jo Nelson (Kakanui) and Sarah Bell (Oamaru).
Jo Nelson (Kakanui) and Sarah Bell (Oamaru).
Kelsi Chamberlain (Oamaru), Tineke Dekker (Papakaio) and Taz Crotty (Papakaio). Photos by Paula...
Kelsi Chamberlain (Oamaru), Tineke Dekker (Papakaio) and Taz Crotty (Papakaio). Photos by Paula Williams.
Attending the North Otago branch of the Dairy Women's Network's calf rearing seminar at Glenavy...
Attending the North Otago branch of the Dairy Women's Network's calf rearing seminar at Glenavy recently were Kathryn van den Beuken (farmdwn), Wendy Morgan (Seales Winslow), Chloe Smith (Ikawai), Julie Dee (Ikawai), Andrea Dixon (Weston) and Nicola...

More than 40 people attended the seminar, where Seales Winslow nutritionist Wendy Morgan spoke on getting the important aspects of calf rearing correct, from housing, hygiene, colostrum intake window and the essentials of the feeding regime, through to weaning, incorporating growing to target dates and weights.

Vet and calf rearing ''guru'' Nicola Neal outlined all the problems that could be faced in the calf shed and how to identify and deal with them quickly, while Susan McEwan shared tips from her large scale bull and heifer calf rearing system.

The day concluded with a session on identifying the pressure factors of calving, especially in such a financially tough season.

Dairy Women's Network North Otago convener Julie Dee said there was a ''buzz'' around the new group.

A monthly evening social would be held through calving and seminar days would be held again once calving was over.

Add a Comment