Farmers encouraged to attend DairyNZ calving workshop

Farmers are being encouraged to upskill at a calving workshop in the Waikato. Photo / 123RF

As the dairy season's busiest time fast approaches, farm teams are encouraged to hone their calving skills at a DairyNZ CalvingSmart workshop in the Waikato.

Four workshops are being held during June in Waeranga, Morrinsville, Te Awamutu and Putāruru, where farm owners and staff will get the latest tips and techniques to set-up for this season's calving.

DairyNZ animal husbandry team leader Helen Thoday says calving is traditionally a very busy time on dairy farms, and some simple preparation will help achieve a smooth and stress-less calving season.

"Ensuring the entire farm team has the right knowledge and skills to establish a caring, healthy and safe environment for calves, and everyone is working to the same plan, will help calving be less stressful," says Helen.

"Having everyone on the same page also supports good farm routines and ultimately means calves get a good start to life."

Workshop sessions

The sessions are practical and interactive, and tailored to experience levels.

A new skills session supports staff in their first couple of seasons to learn the signs of calving, stages of labour, safe handling of newborn calves, why to feed colostrum, recording births and transporting calves.

Team sessions are for workmates to attend. Find out how teams work better together to save time and provide good animal care, along with establishing clear standards and processes.

And finally, decision-maker sessions will explore what it would take to be world-leading in on-farm animal care, and look at calf rearing and system designs that work for calves and the team.

The Waikato events are being held in Waeranga (June 5); Morrinsville (June 6); Te Awamutu (June 7) and Putāruru (June 19). They are a part of a series of nationwide CalvingSmart events.

The CalvingSmart workshops are free to levy-paying dairy farmers and their staff.
* Find out more about them at www.dairynz.co.nz/calvingsmart.