International Dairy Week will again feature a wide range of informative seminars. All seminars will be presented at the Ballantyne Centre at Tatura Park. This year seminars will be held across the Monday to Wednesday of the event.
Monday, January 20
9am: Tracking Heat and Health in Dairy Cows
Presented by Allflex
The Allflex Animal Monitoring System is a well proven heat and health tracker for dairy cows. Scientifically proven with more than 20 years of knowledge, Allflex leads the way in helping customers put more milk in the vat. Come along to the seminar and hear how the solution could work to save labour, reduce deaths and improve the health of the herd.
10.15am: Fatty acid nutrition of dairy cows - what does the science tell us?
Presented by: Volac International - Richard Kirkland
Dr Richard Kirkland has been with United Kingdom-based nutrition company Volac for the past 15 years, working as part of the animal nutrition team. He specialises in the use of feed fats, or more correctly fatty acids, in improving performance of lactating dairy cows. He has experience in dairy production systems in highly contrasting environments, using latest research data to provide practical nutritional advice. He attained a PhD from the Queen's University of Belfast for an evaluation of energy metabolism in dairy cows and is currently global technical manager of Volac Wilmar Feed Ingredients, actively involved in fatty acid research programs.
11.30am: Probiotics - More than good bugs
Presented by: Daviesway - Hamish Hunt
This presentation focuses on the growing body of research that links positive health outcomes for commercial livestock through the use of probiotics (beneficial "good" bacteria) in conjunction with naturally occurring compounds such as the saponins and phenolics of Yucca schidigera. The research data accumulated internationally indicates that certain naturally occurring combinations of compounds are highly efficient at binding or disabling certain types of pathogen behaviour in ways equivalent to or even exceeding more conventional compounds.
Tuesday, January 21
9am: There is no magic bullet
Presented by: Maxum
How do you rear a calf? Health, Nutrition, Hygiene, Housing... this is just the start of topics we need to consider and manage every day in calf rearing systems. It is not easy and there are many different ways to achieve the desired result. Maxum has gathered a panel of calf-rearing specialists who have reared calves and plenty of them to share their experience both good and bad to help farmers consider different options and make better decisions in their calf-rearing operations.
10:15am: Lower input to get better output on all scale dairy farms
Presented by: Lely - Gert Aerts
The ultimate aim of a dairy farmer is to produce high quality milk in the tank. Lely derived the automated milking principle by reviewing value-added activities on the farm that lead to more milk in the tank. The results can improve by eliminating unnecessary activities on the farm and by optimising workflows in the chain.
With this concept, Lely focuses on less inputs and more outputs on all scales and ways of dairy farming. Overall, this leads to more profitable and enjoyable farming experience.
11.30am: In pasture we trust! But change... or bust!
Presented by: Provico - Dr Les Sandles
Pasture has underpinned the Australian industry for decades, but things have changed - it's hotter, drier and input costs are escalating. But more importantly, sustainable farming methods are being mandated by domestic and export dairy consumers. Navigating successfully through these challenges requires an open mind and a willingness to change. Dr Les Sandles will challenge some old beliefs and present some new thinking around the use of fertilisers, on-farm resources and pasture options to reduce inputs, improve soil fertility and grow more pasture. He will also discuss how this will improve health, fertility and milk quality in the herd.
Wednesday, January 22
9am: Social media for dairy farmers and breeders - doing it right!
Presented by: Holstein Australia - Adam Sewell
For most dairy farmers, updating their business social media is never a priority. In this fast paced and engaging session from Holstein Australia, farmers
will hear first-hand from a number of breeders and businesses on how to use social media to market their herd, develop their brand and achieve a return on the time invested, complete with some useful takeaway tips and tricks. Whether trying to reach consumers, looking for top price at the next sale or just want to be heard, this session will provide some ideas.
10.15am: Nutritional strategies to manage heat stress in cattle
Presented by: Ridley - Dr Babak Nobari
In recent years, global warming is a major concern for the agricultural sector. In the most basic sense, heat stress occurs when a cow must change its behaviour and physiology to cope with environmental conditions. Heat stress impairs welfare and productive performance of dairy and beef cattle. Dr Nobari will focus on nutritional strategies to manage the heat stress in dairy farms.
11.30am: Getting the right number of heifers in your herd
Presented by: ST Genetics Australia - Kevin Ziemba
The secrets of increasing herd profitability through genetics and heifer inventory management will be shared by STgenetics east regional manager Kevin Ziemba. The main objective is to provide strategies to ensure the right heifer replacements to suit both the bottom and top end of the herd. Making the right heifers leads to greater profitability. Mr Ziemba has strong expertise and will present several methods and strategies to achieve this. The best way to predict the future, is to create it. A light lunch will be provided at the conclusion.
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This story first appeared on Australian Dairyfarmer