Heifer rearing still represents a major cost to dairy farmers and has a significant impact on overall herd performance and profitability. To help improve the efficiency of heifer rearing, Trouw Nutrition GB has joined forces with the University of Nottingham to present a series of three LifeStart webinars focusing on the challenges faced when rearing calves, including advice based on the latest research available and practical on farm examples.
Each webinar will last approximately 90 minutes and will cover a number of different topics presented by a team of veterinary professionals, young animal nutritionists and farmers providing case studies.
The first LifeStart webinar at 12.30 on Thursday 27th January is very timely, focussing on the nutritional and environmental factors that can present challenges to calves during the winter. Speakers will be Georgina Thomas from Trouw Nutrition GB alongside Dr Ginny Sherwin and Dr Peter Down from the University of Nottingham.
The second LifeStart webinar in the last week of February will look closely at early calf survival including the consequences of dehydration and advice on prevention strategies and the importance and role of good hygiene. The LifeStart final webinar on late March will consider the long-lasting benefits of early life nutrition and review the latest research into the economics of successful heifer replacement rearing.
To register for the webinars go to Winter Challenges – Trouw Nutrition United Kingdom. Although the webinars are free of change Trouw Nutrition and Nottingham University are asking for donations to support farming charities.
“We want to recognise the valuable work of farming charities and the importance of having a support network available for farmers and families within the farming community,” Georgina Thomas explains. “So we have each nominated a charity and are asking for a small donation per delegate. As a guide, a minimum £5 contribution would greatly benefit the work of these charities. No matter how small or large, every donation can have an important impact. Trouw Nutrition GB will be matching the final donation total, with all money raised being split equally between the two organisations.”
The University of Nottingham’s nominated charity is The Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) – www.yellowwellies.org while Trouw Nutrition GB have chosen The Farming Community Network (FCN) – www.fcn.org.uk
