Putting the next generation first

In this meeting, Michael and Tony Ball were joined by Rob Dysdal, Westpoint Vets, as they set out to refine their pre-weaning calf management to develop the next generation of heifers to suit their robotic system.

The meeting covered:

• A review of the current management practices and operations at Coton Wood Farm
• How to maximise genetic potential whilst not effecting excellent health and welfare status
• How to achieve seamless transition from pre-weaning to weaning
• An investifation of the return on investment from the pre-weaning phase and how the help achieve Coton Woods overall goals

We also looked at Coton Wood Farm's performance against our optimal dairy systems KPIs for AYR calving herds.

Review your data:

• Colustrum is very key to pre-weaning and managing this right provides huge benefits to the animals health, disease resistance and overall profitability in a herd
• Getting the first seven or eight days right is vital to long term health and productivity
• People should think about the environment, the animals genetics and previous health and its exposure to disease making up a susempability triangle with the calf in the middle