By Scout Nelson
The University of Minnesota Extension Dairy Team invites participants to a special calf care workshop in Rochester. This event will take place on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Borst Family Dairy, 6246 65th Ave. SE, Rochester, MN. The workshop is approved for continuing education credits under the FARM Animal Care program.
This educational workshop is designed to teach essential skills for raising healthy and productive calves. It includes discussions on the feeding and nutrition of newborn calves. Attendees will learn how to use a refractometer to check colostrum quality and measure serum total proteins. Early-life feeding strategies that help improve a calf’s performance as an adult cow will also be covered.
A session on disbudding will explain the preferred methods and ideal age for this procedure. Strategies for pain control during disbudding will also be discussed. “A live demonstration on proper procedures will be performed by the dairy owner/ veterinarian.”
Participants will also learn about processing newborn calves. This includes guidance on ear tagging, colostrum feeding, cleaning the navel, safely moving calves, and following vaccination schedules. The information aims to help improve calf health from the moment they are born.
After the workshop, attendees will have the option to take a tour of the dairy farm. This will provide a real-life look at how calves are cared for in a working dairy operation.
Anyone interested in attending or learning more can contact Marcia Endres at miendres@umn.edu or call 612-624-5391.
This workshop offers a great opportunity to improve animal care knowledge and apply practical techniques for raising strong and healthy dairy calves.
Photo Credit:university-of-minnesota
Categories: Minnesota, Education, Livestock, Dairy Cattle