Dairy Alliance Checks Producers ’ ‘Calf Sense ’ (Continued from Page 14) Dr. Robert Van Saun addressed newborn calt heath issues emphasizing the importance of taking in the whole picture when developing a calf health program. “You can’t vaccinate your way out of a disease or a biosecurity issue,” said Van Saun as he reviewed the importance of calf care before, during, and after birth. Van Saun said that 75 percent of calf losses in the first year of life happen during the first month. Richard Stup spoke on the importance of calf care consistency and how to communicate it with calf managers on the farm. “Actions in the first hours of life directly affect the calfs chance of survival,” Stup said. “Dead calves don’t make you money.” Stup reviewed ways to develop standard opera tion procedures (SOPs) for calf management, em ployee communication to maintain good calf care, and employer review of procedures. “All this science is important,” Stup said. “But we need to find a way to communicate and get it on the farm.” (Huarbian Crowd Gate A WAY TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF YOUR DAIRY OPERATION WE’RE BEHIND THEM ALL THE WAY • Retractable design for efficient reloading of holding area • Positive chain drive system to reduce slippage • Provides a consistent flow of cows into parlor The gate firmly, but gently, guides the cows, A gradual movement coaxes the cows without the from holding area into the parlor use of an alarming electric shocker • Fisher & Thompson, Inc Leola, PA 717-656-3307 Belleville PA 717-935-7422 Chambersburg, PA 717-352-7606 New Enterprise, pa 814-766-9970 • Brandt’s Farm Supply, Inc. • Lyco Dairy Service • Mountain View Supply, Inc. • Van Bremen Refrigeratii Elizabethtown, Chambersburg Cogan Station, PA Hamburg, PA 4 Dairy Service 717-367-1221 570-494-0708 610-488-1025 Somerset, PA or 1-800-872-7478 814-444-8502 • Forsheys, Inc. Martmsburg, PA 814-793-3791 or 3792 After the morning workshops, participants ti their knowledge and put it to the test throi hands-on training in tracking calf health, feedii colostrum testing, SOP development, and rec< keeping. Manufactured by; . DC Welding 643 Hereford Rd Elizabethtown PA 17022 (717) 361-9400 Fax 361-2272 toi