​South Bruce 4-H Dairy Club meets at Character Holsteins near Mildmay

The South Bruce 4-H Dairy Club held its second meeting May 20, at Character Holsteins in Deemerton (near Mildmay). This is a dairy farm that specializes in producing elite genetics for the Semex breeding company.

The meeting began in the calving barn, where Greg Dietrich (right), co-owner of Character Holsteins, gave the club some background on his farm.

He manages the dairy and calf-raising operation with his brother-in-law, Andrew Bennett. He also co-founded Progenesis, a pioneering genetic company, focused on improving herd performance and sustainability.

Dietrich told the club that Character Holsteins has close to 800 calves born per year, and in a couple of weeks he is expecting the 10,000th calf to be born – and yet he still gives each calf its own name!

He introduced Dr. Niki Alsop (right) who is a large-animal veterinarian with Heartland Veterinary Service. She taught the club about different calving issues and how she treats them.

Using a video, she showed the members what calves look like inside the cow’s uterus, and how the different positions affect their ability to be born. When a calf is ready to born, it usually comes front feet first with the head following. This allows it to pass through the cow easily without getting stuck.

However, sometimes only one of the legs comes first or the head will get turned back on the calf’s chest and then the calf will get caught in the pelvis and the cow will be unable to deliver it without assistance.

Alsop showed the club the tools she uses and the steps she takes to correct the calf’s position and deliver the calf. Sometimes, despite everyone’s best effort, the cow will need a Cesarean section. Alsop demonstrated this surgery to the club, using a video.

She finished her time with the club by showing a placenta and a uterus, so that everyone had a better idea of how everything looks and works inside the cow and how a calf is fed and supported in the womb.

Dietrich gave the club a tour of the farm, starting with his calving and new-calf barn. He showed everyone how he cares for the newborn calves so that they have the best start in life and how he cares for the cows during calving and postpartum.

He finished the tour with the robot milking barn. The members watched a milking demonstration on a Delaval robot and Dietrich talked about how he uses the information that the robot gathers to make health decisions about the herd, including detecting heat and pregnancy in the cows.

The club enjoyed a generously-provided snack of homemade butter tarts, cupcakes and juice.

The club appreciates Alsop and Dietrich for taking the time to teach us, and Character Holsteins for hosting the meeting. The next meeting will be held in June.



Dr. Niki Alsop (centre) talks to the members of the South Bruce 4-H Dairy Club