US expert says calf rearing skills are key to dairy profit at Volac Heifer Rearing Conference

Calf-rearing skills are key to achieving dairy profits, a New York-based expert told 400 farmers attending the Volac Heifer Rearing Conference in Charleville, Co Cork.

Cornell University calf rearing guru Mike Van Amburgh said the performance of dairy heifer calves from birth to weaning at 8-12 weeks is the single biggest determinant of lifetime milk yield and profit in dairy farming.

“Research worldwide and numerous on-farm assessments have shown that 70% of milk yield is due to management with the remainder due to genetics,” said Prof Van Amburgh.