Starter Intake, Consistent Nutrition Topics of Calf Care Workshops

Oct. 14, 15 PDP Calf Care Connection features breakout sessions and producer panel

Caring for the youngest members of a dairy herd is a team effort; the care and management decisions made from day one impact a calf’s health and productivity over its lifetime. With simultaneous Spanish translation offered, a farm’s entire calf care team can learn critical calf raising concepts at the 2026 Calf Care Connection® program, presented by Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP).

Two one-day sessions will be held: Wednesday, Oct. 14, at North Central Tech College in Wausau, Wis., and Thursday, Oct. 15, at Southwest Tech College in Fennimore, Wis. Each one-day workshop begins with registration at 9:00 a.m., with sessions running from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

During the Decisions in Action producer panel, calf care managers representing a variety of calf-raising systems will share their insights on building and refining successful calf programs, with a focus on colostrum management, seasonal adjustments, nutrition strategies and housing systems.

Panelists will include:

• Alicia Birkholz, calf ranch manager at Holsum Dairies, Hilbert, Wis.
• J Hall, owner and operator of Hall’s Calf Ranch, Kewaunee, Wis.
• Bethany Marcks, calf manager at Hall’s Calf Ranch, Kewaunee, Wis.
• Brooke Trustem, sixth-generation dairy farmer at Larson Acres, Evansville, Wis.

Marcks says, “We stress to our clients to feed high quality colostrum in a timely manner. Additionally, by giving a second colostrum feeding we have seen more vigorous calves, lower treatment rates and higher rates of gain. In the long run, this will help those heifers enter the milking herd ready to produce to their highest potential.”

Attendees will also participate in three breakout lab sessions:

• Starter Intake Precision facilitated by Dr. Bethany Dado-Senn, PhD, herd manager and calf consultant, Four Hands Holsteins in Amery, Wis.
• Manage Milk for Consistent Nutrition facilitated by Dr. Jill Soderstrom, PhD, national young animal nutrition and technical business manager, Land O’Lakes.
• Optimal Calf Housing for Your Operation facilitated by Dr. Jennifer Van Os, PhD., associate professor and extension specialist in animal welfare, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Calf Care Connection is accredited for up to 4.75 Dairy AdvanCE (DACE) and up to 4 ARPAS continuing education credits. Learn more and register at www.pdpw.org or by contacting PDP at 800-947-7379. Follow along digitally in advance of and during the event by following @dairyPDPW on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.