California Ag Network

Tag: Dairy Calf & Heifer Association

  • ‘Beyond the Bag’ Webinar Scheduled for May 28

    The May 28 Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (DCHA) webinar features “Beyond the Bag, Part II: Translating Trends into Real World Calf Nutrition Decisions.” This webinar starts at 2 p.m. Central time (U.S./Canada). Actus Animal Nutrition Senior Director of Innovation Tana Dennis will lead this free, one-hour educational offering. Elizabeth Douglass will moderate the webinar. To register for the webinar, go to: https://bit.ly/ActusNut052826.

    This webinar builds on the “Beyond the Bag” discussion from the 2026 DCHA Annual Conference by shifting the focus from trends and theory to execution and next steps. This presentation will highlight what levers can be pulled in milk replacer formulas to adapt to volatile ingredient markets and expected calf performance differences when adopting alternative ingredients to milk proteins. This presentation will also explore precision and phase feeding concepts and how to assess additives for optimal return on investment. Attendees will leave with practical takeaways they can apply immediately, regardless of whether they feed milk replacer or component-based programs when raising calves.

    Veterinarians and veterinary technicians may earn one Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) credit for attending this DCHA webinar. To learn more about this opportunity, contact JoDee Sattler at: jodee@calfandheifer.org.

    DCHA’s May 28 webinar is sponsored by Actus Animal Nutrition. DCHA does not support one product or company over another, and any mention is not an endorsement by DCHA.

    If you are a DCHA member and cannot attend the live program, you may access the webinar through DCHA’s online Member Center after June 11. To access the webinar recording, DCHA members need to visit https://calfandheifer.org/login and enter their username and password.

    For more information about DCHA’s webinars, e-mail Sue Schatz, DCHA member services director, at: sue@calfandheifer.org. Follow DCHA on social media or visit the DCHA website –www.calfandheifer.org – to learn about future webinars. — Story contributed by the Dairy Calf & Heifer Association

  • DCHA Updates its ‘Gold Standards’

    During the 2026 Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (DCHA) Conference and Trade Show in New Prague, Minn., DCHA revealed its revised Gold Standards — the industry benchmarks and best management practices for raising dairy calves and heifers and beef x dairy animals. The overarching goal of DCHA’s Gold Standards is to improve the health and welfare of youngstock, allowing them to achieve their genetic potential, while helping producers improve the profitability and sustainability of their businesses.

    “The Gold Standards have been developed using published data and input from DCHA leaders and advisers,” stated DCHA President Kendall Wassenaar, Orange City, Iowa. “While individual herd goals, current level of attainment and geography may vary, the Gold Standards are meant to provide a framework for successful dairy replacement and beef x dairy raising. Dairy calf, beef x dairy and heifer raisers should use this information to identify areas for improvement, conduct training and implement plans that support the performance targets they want to attain.”

    A comprehensive document which includes charts and graphs, the DCHA Gold Standards book integrates all pre-lactation ages into one document. It features performance and production standards — with animal welfare and best management strategies as the top priorities. Performance standards are the objective measures used to evaluate performance. Production standards are the recommended practices that enable achievement of performance goals. Industry-based research supports these standards.

    “The DCHA Gold Standards strive to reflect positively on the dairy/beef x dairy industry and present a positive image to consumers,” Wassenaar added. Thus, the Gold Standards address newborn care, colostrum management, nutrition, health status, biosecurity, housing and environment, growth rate, reproduction and euthanasia.

    DCHA members have access to the Gold Standards. Those interested can go to to: https://calfandheifer.org/member/membership-benefits to discover membership benefits and to join.

  • Dairy Calf & Heifer Association Raises the Bar with Industry Gold Standards

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    Ever heard of the Gold Standards for raising dairy calves and heifers? If you are in the business of raising future dairy producing cows, watch this brief interview with Bob James from the Dairy Calf & Heifer Association as he talks about their industry Gold Standards.

  • Coming to the Dairy Calf & Heifer Association Conference

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    The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association is holding their annual Conference on April 11 – 13th in Madison Wisconsin. Watch this brief interview with Bob James as he shares what the Dairy Calf & Heifer Association is all about and what calf & heifer growers have to look forward to with this year’s conference agenda.