UW-Extension Trempealeau and Jackson County offices are hosting a transition cow management program Wednesday, August 19. There will be a day program for farmers held at the Blair Haus, Blair, from 10 am to 3pm and an evening program with CEU’s for nutritionists and veterinarians. The evening program will be held at Club 95 in Hixton and will start with registration at 5:30 pm and finish by 9:30.
“The dry period and the first two weeks postpartum (transition period) are the two most critical times in a dairy cow’s life,” said Steve Okonek, Trempealeau County Extension Agriculture Agent. “Too often dry cows and transition cows are shoe horned into old barns and fed low quality feed. This program is designed to get you to rethink dry cow and transition cow care and provide some tools to help you.”
Speakers will include Dr. David Kammel, UW-Madison, Dr. Garret Oetzel, UW-Madison, Dr. Paul Fricke, UW-Madison, Steve Okonek, UW-Extension Trempealeau County, and Taliah Danzinger, CRI Agsource. Steve Okonek will discuss the effects of moldy feed during the dry and transition periods. Dr. Kammel will provide information on dry cow and transition cow housing, pen, stall and equipment design and how we can enhance the environment to minimize metabolic disorders in fresh cows. Dr. Oetzel will discuss the latest research about ketosis in dairy cows. Taliah Danzinger will introduce the Keto Monitor program from Ag Source. Dr. Fricke will talk about the effects of gain or loss of weight during the dry period and the effects of mastitis on re-breeding performance in dairy cows.