Workshops are being held in June and July in dairy areas where farm owners and staff will get the latest tips and techniques to set up for this season’s calving.
DairyNZ animal care team manager Helen Thoday says calving is traditionally a very busy time on dairy farms and some simple preparation will help achieve a smooth and stressless calving season.
“Ensuring the entire farm team has the right knowledge and skills to establish a caring, healthy and safe environment for calves and everyone is working to the same plan will help calving be less stressful.
“Having everyone on the same page also supports good farm routines and ultimately means calves get a good start to life.”
The sessions are practical, interactive and tailored to experience levels.
A new skills session supports staff in their first couple of seasons to learn the signs of calving, stages of labour, identify when to help calving cows, safe handling of newborn calves and transporting calves.
Team sessions are for workmates to attend to find out how teams work better together to save time and provide good animal care along with establishing clear standards and processes.
Decision-maker sessions will explore what it takes to be world-leading in onfarm animal care and look at calf rearing and system designs that work for calves and the team.
The workshops are free to levy-paying dairy farmers and their staff.
Seminars: Putaruru June 19, Edgecumbe June 20, Reporoa June 21, Palmerston North June 26, Masterton June 27, Waverley June 28, Stratford June 29, Marlborough July 3, Murchison July 4, Culverden July 5, Harihari July 10, Greymouth July 11, Hinds July 13, Waimate July 17, Tapanui July 18, Winton July 19.
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