The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension will offer a program for agribusiness professionals to provide information about best practices during the dry/transition period. The program will be offered as a three-part webinar series on Thursdays, May 28, June 4, and June 11, 2020.

The transition from late gestation to early lactation is challenging for both animals and dairy producers, and is an important phase of a cow’s lactation and production cycle. Closely managing cows during this time is crucial to making sure transition goes smoothly for a successful lactation. The cow and her udder prepare for the next lactation during the dry period.  Putting in place management strategies that make sure cows are not producing high yields of milk when dried off along with providing proper environmental and nutritional management, appropriate dry cow therapy, and teat sealant become very important for the herd. Cows need to remain healthy and well cared for during this transition period.

Topics and speakers for the three-part webinar series include:

• Udder health and development, May 28 at 10:15 am to 12:30 pm (CDT)

  • Featured speakers: Dr. Laura Hernandez, UW-Madison Department of Dairy Science and Larry Baumann, DVM, UW-River Falls & UW-Madison Extension

• Nutritional management, June 4 at 10:15 am to 12:30 pm (CDT)

  • Featured speakers: Dr. Luiz Ferraretto, UW-Madison Extension & Department of Dairy Science and second speaker to be announced

• Prevention and control of intramammary infections, and Milk Price Market, June 11 at 10:15 am to 12:30 pm (CDT)

  • Featured speakers: Dr. Ronald Erskine, DVM, Michigan State University Extension Veterinarian and Dr. Mark Stephenson, UW-Madison Extension & UW Center for Dairy Profitability

Registration is free. Register for one or all three webinars by 4:30 pm, the day prior to the webinar at  https://go.wisc.edu/3b75u3.

For additional information, or assistance with registration, please contact Extension Dane County at 608-224-3700 or Extension Dairy & bLivestock Agent Tina Kohlman at tina.kohlman@wisc.edu.

This program is sponsored by University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension with special support from the following Extension Educators: Maria Jose Fuenzalida, Dane County; Tina Kohlman, Fond du Lac County; Ashely Olson, Vernon County; and Sandy Stuttgen, Taylor County.