When asked about the traits they want in their herds, most dairymen will talk about sound feet and legs near the top of the list. Optimal milking, feeding and breeding are all made possible by healthy and functional feet and legs. A session at Empire Farm Days will focus on this topic on Tuesday, Aug. 5 beginning at 1 p.m. in the Dairy Seminar Center.
Three speakers with a practical understanding of sound feet and legs will share their experiences in a panel discussion moderated by Mike McCaffrey, editor of the New York Holstein News magazine.
Dairyman Brad Cates of Co-Vale Farms, Preble, NY milks 500 cows with a herd average over 30,000 lbs. and a breeding program focused on sound, functional cattle to sustain that production.
Hoof trimmer Joyce Thomas from Rome, NY has worked with literally thousands of animals. She helps her clients maintain their animals’ healthy feet as well as treat injured and infected limbs in commercial herds and in elite show cattle.
Dick Wright, Stanley, NY is a recently retired Holstein Association classifier and former dairyman and Holstein breeder. In his career he’s evaluated conformation in herds across the country in all types of facilities, from smaller traditional tie-stall barns to large free-stall and open lot dairies.
This seminar is co-sponsored by the New York Holstein Association, Ithaca, NY and HolsteinWorld, East Syracuse, NY. It’s part of the DairyProfit Seminars, presented by Cornell’s PRO-DAIRY and DairyBusiness Communications, HolsteinWorld publisher, at Empire Farm Days to be held Aug. 5, 6 & 7 in Seneca Falls, NY.