November 13, 2003

 

New Dairy Replacements Book and Companion CD Available

Recommendations for the dairy industry on calf and heifer nutrition, health, reproduction, housing and management are available in "Raising Dairy Replacements," a new publication from MidWest Plan Service (MWPS).

"This publication is designed to provide dairy industry educators, consultants, producers, and heifer growers with a technical reference to improve management of dairy calves and heifers," says J.W. Schroeder, dairy specialist with the North Dakota State University Extension Service.

The color publication contains photos, graphic images and tables to help illustrate and clarify technical concepts. A companion CD contains an electronic version of the book and supplemental photos, charts, and graphs. The electronic book has been designed so that educators can excerpt material from it to develop presentations based on the publication. Special markers in the text of the book direct readers to the CD for additional information about certain topics.

The CD also contains software from ProfitSource, a Wisconsin company specializing in developing computer-based management tools for the dairy industry. The software, called Heifer Suite, can be downloaded from the CD and installed on the user’s computer.

Among the programs in the suite are Ration Cost Analyzer, Heifer ProQWIK Chart, and Raising Cost Evaluator. Ration Cost Analyzer calculates the cost and nutrient content of replacement heifer diets. Heifer ProQWIK Chart compares heifer growth with industry standards and can compare growth rate within a pen and under different management variables. Raising Cost Evaluator calculates the cost of raising calves or heifers and can be used when an individual cost-of-production analysis is desired.

This publication is an adaptation of the 1991 edition of "Raising Dairy Replacements." It was sponsored in part by gifts from Alpharma and ProfitSource and by a grant from the USDA. It was co-authored by dairy professionals from the University of Wisconsin, Iowa State University, University of Illinois, and University of Minnesota. The book and the CD can be purchased separately for $30 each or as a package for $45 plus shipping and handling charges.

Order online at the MWPS Web site, www.mwpshq.org,  call (800) 562-3618, or email mwps@iastate.edu.  Your county office of the NDSU Extension Service also has information or you may request.

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Source: J.W. Schroeder, (701) 231-7663, jschroed@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu