Industry continued from page 15 Inn City Centre, Sioux Falls, SD. The NMC session offers a forum for dairy professionals to exchange information about practical, on-farm aspects of udder health, mastitis control, milking management and milk quality. This year’s meeting features a new format consisting of short courses to provide attendees with hands-on learning in small group sessions. Short course topics include: milking system testing and analysis, motivating dairy farm employees, bulk tank and milk sam- pling techniques and interpretation of results, a session for Spanish speaking milkers, and other topics. Some short courses will provide on-farm opportunities to apply knowledge gained. Registration and additional information will be available at www.nmconline.org. HERD HEALTH DCHA seminar keys preventing calf scours A preventing calf scours mini-semi- nar, which featured Dairy Calf and Heifer As- sociation (DCHA) member Robert E. James, PhD, professor of dairy science at Virginia Tech, offered some useful reminders on suc- cessfully preventing calf scours. According to James, there are various challenges associated with scours. It is one of the leading causes of illness and death in pre- weaned heifers with nearly 25% incidence (NAHMS Dairy 2007) and causing 62.1% of deaths (NAHMS Dairy 2002). The results of scours include dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, depression, more susceptibility to other disease and death. The common causes of scours are bacteria, viruses and protozoa. While scours can be considerably unhealthy and even fatal, it is important to note that a well-formed stool is not normal in young calves either. Dry-cow and calving care Scours prevention begins with your dry- cows. Following a vaccination protocol of dams and calves as recommended by your herd veterinarian, who is most familiar with your operation, is highly recommended by James. Dry-cow nutrition is important as the body condition of the cow is reflected in her calf and influences calving ease. Emphasis on Please turn to page 27 “DAD, I NEED MORE COOKIES.” Every day, you search for solutions to help you get more out of life. For some, it’s a simple request. Maximizing your herd’s potential isn’t so simple. You strive for more profitability, more efficiency and more value in the products you feed your animals. Kemin has your solution. KemTRACE Chromium Propionate promotes efficient energy utilization which helps your herd overcome nutritional challenges. KemTRACE Chromium Propionate is the only chromium source permitted by the FDA for use in cattle. Get more with KemTRACE ® Chromium Propionate. © Kemin Industries, Inc. and its group of companies 2012. All rights reserved.  ® ™ Trademarks of Kemin Industries, Inc., U.S.A. www.kemin.com/getmore