41st Discover Conference^SM

The pre-weaning period is critical for the growth and future productivity of replacement animals. However, dairy cattle producers and their veterinarians continue to face important, ongoing, and emerging challenges regarding calf management from intrauterine life to the time of weaning. The average morbidity and mortality risks in the US continue to be above desirable levels. Diseases during the pre-weaning stage negatively impact lifelong productivity of replacement heifers and growth potential of dairy and dairy-beef calves raised for meat production. Similarly, greater pre-weaned heifer growth rates have been linked to better performance after entering the lactating herd. Therefore, ensuring adequate health and growth before weaning is critical. Additionally, dairy steers make up about 15-20 percent of all fed cattle sent to market for beef production and, therefore, male dairy calf management is also of importance for the beef industry. This conference will explore the many changes in dairy calf management practices, and research conducted over the last decade. A poster session will be included to allow participants to share and discuss research findings.

Various industry stakeholders including researchers, veterinary practitioners, nutritionists, extension agents, educators, and dairy consultants are encouraged to participate. Graduate students and early career professionals are especially encouraged to attend.