BATAVIA, N.Y. — Cornell University’s Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team will once again host Calf & Heifer Congress on Dec. 6 and 7. This year’s conference theme is “Rising Above the Challenges” and will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in East Syracuse, N.Y. Full conference agenda and registration details are online at https://nwnyteam.cce.cornell.edu/event.php?id=563. Registration is available online through Nov. 27 and with a discounted price through Nov. 1.
This year’s program will focus on two major management challenges: heifer reproduction and Salmonella dublin. On day one of the conference, a line-up of experts from Cornell University including Mike Van Amburgh, Julio Giordano and Heather Huson will discuss calf nutrition and growth, the estrous cycle and hormones, timed artificial insemination protocols, and genetic considerations for heifer fertility. Mike Overton of Elanco will tie in the numbers with a talk on the economics of the heifer enterprise. An informal discussion session with speakers will be held in the evening.
A breakfast sponsored by Milk Specialties Global will kick off day two with a presentation titled “Calf Feeding Strategies to Overcome Health Challenges.” One of the main themes for day two will be Salmonella dublin, a pathogen that is endemic in some western states and has become a growing but often underestimated issue in New York State over the past decade. Farmers and veterinarians alike have struggled with how to manage this often deadly and highly contagious bacteria.
Belinda Thompson from Cornell University’s Animal Health and Diagnostic Center will discuss S. dublin in depth, including diagnostics, risk factors and managing the disease. Danielle Mzyk of North Carolina State University will examine the use of antibiotics with S. dublin and present research on respiratory tract damage resulting from diseases of the lung.
Dr. Derek Foster, also of NCSU, will explain how vaccines work with the immune system and provide an update on Salmonella vaccine technology. Diamond V Labs will present on the microbiome and related research that may aid in reducing Salmonella risks. To wrap up the topic and the conference, Sue Puffenbarger of Land O’ Lakes will provide tips from a consultant’s view for disease prevention through the effective use of protocols.
— Cornell Cooperative Extension