The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team will offer the second season of the “Raising Your Dairy Best” webinar series. The series, intended for dairy producers, will cover practical heifer management topics.

“Nearly 25% of dairy production costs are related to raising heifer replacements, so a considerable amount of feed, time and facilities must be invested to optimize growth for heifers to calve at an appropriate age,” said Jennifer Bentley, dairy field specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “The topic of raising your ‘dairy best’ heifers can have significant financial and herd benefits.”

Each webinar will cover a different topic related to heifer management and include a Q&A session at the end for any questions participants may have.

A complete list of dates and speakers is available below:

• Oct. 1 – “What's all the Fuss about Pair Housing Calves? Benefits and Management Considerations,” Melissa Cantor, assistant professor of precision dairy, Penn State University
• Oct. 8 – “Positive Biofilms in Calf Health,” Sarah Morrison, research scientist, Miner Institute
• Oct. 15 – “Utilizing Genetics to Improve Dairy Calf Health and Performance,” Isaac Haagen, assistant professor in dairy production, University of Minnesota
• Oct. 22 – “Weaning: The Other Transition,” Jennifer Bentley, dairy field specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach
• Oct. 29 – “Colostrum Delivery Strategies,” Donald Sockett, veterinary microbiologist/epidemiologist, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and Ryan Breuer, clinical associate professor, University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Veterinary Medicine
• Nov. 5 – “Practical Tips for Managing Heifer Body Condition,” Gail Carpenter, associate professor, dairy extension specialist, Iowa State University
• Nov. 12 – “Fresh Cow Success Starts with the Heifer: Calving Pen Readiness,” Howard Tyler, associate professor of animal science, Iowa State University
• Nov. 19 – “Pasture-Raised Potential: Grazing Dairy Heifers for Performance and Profit,” Larry Tranel, dairy specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach
• Dec. 3 – “Heifer Mastitis,” Pamela Adkins, assistant professor, food animal medicine and surgery director of the Master of Public Health Veterinary concentration area, University of Missouri

Those interested in participating in the webinar series can register online.