Whether you are new to calf rearing or looking to refine your livestock skills, a practical workshop in Bruthen this July will provide the knowledge and confidence required to give poddy and orphan calves the best possible start.
Far East Gippsland Landcare is inviting farmers, small landholders, and anyone interested in animal husbandry to attend the hands-on “Rearing and Buying Poddy and Orphan Calves” workshop on Tuesday, July 28, from 10am to 2pm.
Moving away from traditional classroom presentations, the event will feature a practical, on-farm “show and tell” format. Participants will be able to see proven calf-rearing techniques in action and discuss real-world scenarios directly with the facilitator throughout the day.
Leading the session is local calf-rearing specialist Cindy, who brings more than 15 years of professional experience providing contract calf-rearing services across North East Victoria. Now based in East Gippsland, Cindy specialises in rearing dairy replacement heifers and surplus calves, having successfully raised hundreds of healthy animals for commercial producers.
The workshop will focus on why high-standard management during the first few weeks of life has a permanent impact on lifetime animal health, welfare, and structural productivity. Key topics on the agenda include:
– Health and husbandry: Vaccination schedules, drenching and biosecurity.
– Nutrition: Feeding regimes, milk-replacement formulas and rumen development.
– Infrastructure: Housing and bedding requirements, paddock access and optimal pen design.
– Management: Critical weaning decisions and early intervention strategies to recognise illness before it escalates.
Strong baseline calf management not only elevates animal welfare but also significantly reduces mortality rates, improves daily weight gains and sets livestock up to become highly productive units. Whether a landholder rears a single poddy calf annually or manages larger commercial numbers, adopting these best-practice techniques can yield substantial economic and operational differences.
The workshop represents a valuable opportunity to learn directly from an experienced industry professional, inspect a working calf-rearing layout, and take home practical tips that can be implemented on-farm immediately.
The event will be hosted at a rural property in Bruthen, with the exact address provided to registered participants prior to the date.
RSVP is strictly essential.
For more information or to secure a place, contact Emma Orgill at the Landcare office in Orbost.
The Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator position is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.
