More than 200 dairy producers, calf and heifer raisers, veterinarians, nutritionists, educators and dairy consultants attended Dairy Calf and Heifer Association’s (DCHA) Virtual Conference, held April 8-9. The participants represented 28 states, four Canadian provinces and 11 other countries. Presentations addressed new passive transfer standards for dairy calves, heifer maturity, disbudding practices, immune response, marketing dairy x beef cattle, adaptive immunity via vaccinations, animal care, calf nutrition, pair housing and the #WeanClean™ philosophy.
“While we missed the one-on-one interaction with fellow calf and heifer raisers, and industry partners, the virtual conference provided unmatched learning opportunities,” said DCHA President T.J. McClure, Prairie Wind Heifer Development, Johnson, Kan. “We’re grateful to the presenters, sponsors and exhibitors who adapted to this year’s virtual format and provided exceptional information.”
To highlight this year’s DCHA exhibitors, the association launched a virtual trade show here. This website features calf-and-heifer-specific companies that offer valuable products, services and technologies.
DCHA recorded the virtual presentations. If you are interested in viewing the presentations, contact Sue Schatz, DCHA member services director, at: [email protected] for related fees and access information.
Mark your 2021 calendar for the next DCHA Annual Conference at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center in Appleton, Wis., April 6-8. This area is home to many outstanding dairy operations, including calf ranches, owned and operated by business-minded, forward-thinking individuals.
DCHA thanks its annual conference sponsors who contributed to the program’s success. TechMix was the Diamond sponsor. Platinum sponsors were American Dairymen, Boehringer Ingelheim, California Dairy, Cargill, Elanco, Hoard’s Dairyman, Holstein International, Land O’Lakes Animal Milk Solutions and Merck Animal Health. Silver sponsors included American Foods Group, Calf-Tel, DBC Ag, Diamond V, SCCL, Progressive Dairy and STgenetics. Bronze sponsors were AB Vista, Inc., Agri-Plastics, Biomin, Compeer Financial, Hubbard Feeds, Milk Products and Phileo Lesaffre.
The Dairy Calf and Heifer Association was founded in 1996 based on the mission to help dairy producers, calf managers and those professionally focused on the growth and management of dairy calves and heifers. With a national membership of producers, allied industries and research leaders, DCHA seeks to provide the industry’s standards for profitability, performance and leadership, serving as a catalyst to help members improve the vitality and viability of their individual efforts and that of their business.