Product Description | News Release | Table of Contents

Provides practical information on managing nutrition and health to reduce sickness and age at first calving. Includes cost analysis of replacement programs and housing considerations. Intended for dairy producers, their advisors, educators, and agribusiness. Proceedings of a 2005 conference.

Note: A brief "new book announcement" is also available; scroll down after the news release on this page.

Industry Experts Reveal Dairy Replacement Program Strategies

For Immediate Release
March 2006

How important is a dairy replacement program to the financial success of a farm? With an understanding of the biology of growth, disease, and environmental stress, producers can manage nutrition and health programs to reduce sickness, mortality, and the age at first calving. For example, consider the impact of reducing average age at first calving. The lower that age, the lower the number of days of rearing and number of heifers needed on the farm, and the sooner heifers enter the milking herd. For a 100-cow farm, if the average age at first calving is reduced from 27 months to 24 months, the annual cost of raising replacements can decrease by as much as $5,600. If the age of first calving is reduced to 21 months, the annual cost can decrease by as much as $8,200.

Dairy Calves and Heifers: Integrating Biology and Management, NRAES-175 ($45 plus S&H/sales tax; 398 pages; January 2005), the proceedings from a conference held in January 2005 in Syracuse, New York, features 32 papers by 28 experts from 14 states and Canada presenting a comprehensive overview of dairy replacement program management for improved profitability. Animal scientists, veterinarians, economists, engineers, producers, educators, and farm advisors share their research and experiences in improving replacement program economics; calf and heifer nutrition programs; housing; health programs and issues; and more.

Producers, their advisors, and educators will learn to manage nutrition and health programs to achieve growth rates consistent with the farm's management style, resources, and goals. Troubleshooting, health protocols, biosecurity, colostrum options and management, vaccination programs, feed additives, and emerging health issues are also key to a successful replacement program.

The 398-page book is divided into six sections: Integration of Management and Biology; Biology of Growth and Development; Calves -- Birth through Weaning; Heifer Biology and Management; Health Programs for Improved Profitability; and a separate grouping of papers covering such topics as how to evaluate who should raise your heifers, contracts and agreements for raising calves and heifers, sanitation and standard operating procedures, and quality control programs.

The "Dairy Calves and Heifers: Integrating Biology and Management" conference was coordinated by NRAES (Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service).

Dairy Calves and Heifers: Integrating Biology and Management, NRAES-175, is available for $45.00 per copy (plus shipping and handling) from NRAES, Cooperative Extension, PO Box 4557, Ithaca, NY 14852-4557. Shipping and handling for one copy is $6.00 within the continental United States. New York residents, add sales tax (calculated on both the cost for books and the shipping and handling charges. Click here for more information.) If ordering more than one book, or if ordering from outside the United States, contact NRAES for shipping rates and possible quantity discounts. Orders from outside the United States must be prepaid in U.S. funds. All major credit cards are accepted, and checks should be made payable to NRAES. For more information or a free book catalog, contact NRAES by phone at (607) 255-7654, by fax at (607) 254-8770, or by e-mail at NRAES@CORNELL.EDU. To learn more about NRAES and browse through our entire catalog, visit our web site at WWW.NRAES.ORG.

# # #

New Book Announcement

Industry Experts Reveal Dairy Replacement Program Strategies

For Immediate Release
March 2006

How important is a dairy replacement program to the financial success of a farm? In Dairy Calves and Heifers: Integrating Biology and Management (NRAES-175), the 398-page proceedings of a conference held in January 2005, 28 dairy industry experts cover all aspects of dairy replacement programs and explain how management decisions can be tied to farm profitability. With an understanding of the biology of growth, disease, and environmental stress, producers can manage nutrition and health programs to reduce sickness, mortality, and the age at first calving. Producers, their advisors, and educators will learn to manage nutrition and health programs to achieve growth rates consistent with the farm's management style, resources, and goals. Troubleshooting, health protocols, biosecurity, colostrum options and management, vaccination programs, feed additives, and emerging health issues are also key to a successful replacement program.

Dairy Calves and Heifers: Integrating Biology and Management, NRAES-175, costs $45.00 plus $6.00 shipping and handling (within the continental U.S.) Make checks payable to NRAES; all major credit cards accepted. New York residents, add sales tax (on both the cost of the book and the shipping and handling charges. Click here for more information.) Contact NRAES for other shipping and handling rates and possible quantity discounts: NRAES, Cooperative Extension, PO Box 4557, Ithaca, NY 14852-4557; phone (607) 255-7654, fax (607) 254-8770; e-mail NRAES@CORNELL.EDU; web site WWW.NRAES.ORG.

Note: See also the more descriptive news release above.

Integration of Management and Biology

The Case for a Quality Dairy Replacement Program
Mike Lormore, DVM, MBA
Monsanto Dairy Business

Dairy Replacement Programs: Costs and Analysis
Jason Karszes
PRO-DAIRY
Department of Applied Economics and Management
Cornell University

Biology of Growth and Development

Bovine Growth and Development: Composition of Growth and Mechanisms Regulating Growth
Bradley J. Johnson, Ph.D. and Erin K. Sissom, M.S.
Department of Animal Sciences and Industry
Kansas State University

The Physiology of Immunology: What Happens When Animals Get Sick?
Rodney W. Johnson, Ph. D.
Department of Animal Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Applied Immunology: Keeping Animals Healthy
Donald C. Sockett, DVM, MS, PhD
Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
University of Wisconsin

Causes and Consequences of Variation in Calf Birth Weight
Alan W. Bell, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Science
Cornell University

Exploring the Link between Prepubertal Mammary Development and Future Milk Yield
Matt Meyer, M.S.; Mike Van Amburgh, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Science
Cornell University

Alternative Management and Housing to Improve the Well-Being of Dairy Calves
Daniel M. Weary, D. Phil.
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
University of British Columbia

Calves -- Birth through Weaning

Dry Cow Management for Optimum Cow and Calf Performance
Thomas R. Overton, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Science
Cornell University

Nutrient Requirements of the Calf: Birth to Weaning
James K. Drackley, Ph.D.
Animal Sciences and Nutritional Sciences
University of Illinois
Michael E. Van Amburgh, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Science
Cornell University

Sources of Nutrients for Milk Replacers and Dry Starter Feeds and What Factors Impact Quality
Douglas F. Waterman, Ph.D.
Shur-Gain USA, Inc.

Pre-Weaned Calves: Housing and Considerations
Curt A. Gooch, P.E.
Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering
PRO-DAIRY Program
Cornell University

Heifer Biology and Management

Target Growth and Nutrient Requirements of Post-Weaned Dairy Heifers
Michael Van Amburgh, Ph.D.; Matthew Meyer, M.S.
Department of Animal Science
Cornell University

Post-Calving Feeding and Management for Optimum Productivity
Jay G. Giesy, PhD
Cargill Animal Nutrition

Heat Detection, Breeding Programs, and Fertility Issues for Heifers
Raymond L. Nebel, Ph.D.
Department of Dairy Science
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Grazing Systems and Management for Heifers: Nutritional Management and Animal Responses
Hugh Chester-Jones
Southern Research and Outreach Center
University of Minnesota
Margot Rudstrom
West Central Research and Outreach Center
University of Minnesota
Laura Torbert
Dairy Extension Scott and Carver Counties
University of Minnesota

Low Cost Rations for Heifers Including By-Product Ingredients
Robert E. James, Ph.D.
Department of Dairy Science
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Heifer Housing Considerations: "Designing Facilities to Enhance Heifer Performance"
David W. Kammel, Ph.D.
Biological Systems Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Refitting and Retrofitting Dairy Facilities for Heifers
Dan F. McFarland, M.S.
Penn State Cooperative Extension
Robert E. Graves, P.E., Ph.D.
Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department
The Pennsylvania State University

Evening Discussions

Who Should Be Raising Your Heifers?
Jason Karszes
PRO-DAIRY
Department of Applied Economics and Management
Cornell University

Establishing Custom Calf and Heifer Raising Contracts
Hugh Chester-Jones, Ph.D., P.A.S.
Southern Research and Outreach Center
University of Minnesota

Contracts and Agreements for Custom Dairy Heifer Growing
Jason Karszes
PRO-DAIRY
Department of Applied Economics and Management
Cornell University
Roger A. Cady
Monsanto Dairy Business

Quality Control Programs, "the Professionals," and the Consuming Public
Don L Gardner DVM
Gardner Custom Heifer Raising; Huddleston, Virginia

Sanitation and Standard Operating Procedures for Newborn and Preweaned Calves
Samuel Leadley, Ph.D., P.A.S.
Attica Veterinary Associates, P.C.
Attica, New York

Health Programs for Improved Profitability

Colostrum -- Don't Be Born Without It!
Gerald R. Bertoldo, DVM
Cornell Cooperative Extension
PRO-DAIRY

A Review of Issues Surrounding the Feeding of Pasteurized Non-Saleable Milk and Colostrum
Sandra Godden, DVM, DVSc; John Fetrow, DVM, MBA, DACVPM; Joellen Feirtag, MS, PhD; Scott Wells, DVM, PhD, DACVPM; Lorissa Green, MS
Center for Animal Health and Food Safety
University of Minnesota

Heifer Mastitis: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Control Strategies
Stephen P. Oliver, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Science
and Food Safety Center of Excellence
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
B. E. Gillespie, M.S.; S. J. Headrick, B. S.; M. J. Lewis, B. S.; and H. H. Dowlen, M.S.
Department of Animal Science
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Biosecurity Assessments to Biosecurity Plans: Safeguarding Your Livestock Operation
Julia M. Smith, DVM, PhD
Department of Animal Science
University of Vermont

Foot Problems and Foot Care in Calves and Growing Heifers
J. K. Shearer, DVM, MS
Large Animal Clinical Science
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Florida

Dietary Approaches to Keeping Calves Healthy
Dr. Jim Quigley
APC, Inc.

Hemorrhagic Bowel Syndrome
Donald C. Sockett, DVM, MS, PhD
Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
University of Wisconsin

Vaccination Programs for Calves and Heifers
Daryl V. Nydam, DVM, PhD
Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences
Cornell University

Speaker Biographies

Alan W. Bell
Gerald R. Bertoldo
Hugh Chester-Jones
James K. Drackley
Don Gardner

Jay G. Giesy
Sandra Godden
Curt A. Gooch
Robert E. James
Bradley J. Johnson

Rod Johnson
David W. Kammel
Jason Karszes
Samuel M. Leadley
Mike Lormore

Dan F. McFarland
Matthew J. Meyer
Raymond L. Nebel
Daryl Nydam
Stephen P. Oliver

Thomas R. Overton
Jim Quigley
J. K. Shearer
Julia M. Smith
Donald C. Sockett

Mike Van Amburgh
Douglas F. Waterman
Daniel M. Weary

Conference Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Land O' Lakes Animal Milk Products Company
MS Specialty Nutrition
Pfizer Animal Health

Gold Sponsors

BFI Innovations Inc.
Cargill Animal Nutrition
Country Folks Weekly Farm Newspaper
Milk Products

Northeast DairyBusiness
Novartis Animal Health
Zinpro Corporation

Silver Sponsors

Alta Genetics, Inc./Calf's Choice TotalTM
Blue Seal Feeds, Inc.
Diamond V Mills, Inc.

Elanco Animal Health
Fort Dodge Animal Health
Grober Nutrition

Intervet, Inc.
Land O' Lakes Feed/Purina Mills
Renaissance Nutrition, Inc.

Conference Notes Pages

About NRAES

About NRAES
NRAES Member Universities