INITIAL RESULTS OF A STATEWIDE EXTENSION PROGRAM IN CALF AND HEIFER MANAGEMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA

This study was designed to evaluate changes in calf and heifer managem ent in a sample of Pennsylvania dairy farms in conjunction with a stat ewide extension program on dairy replacements. The extension program r eached dairy farmers in addition to individuals in agribusiness, veter inarians, and others who have frequent contact with dairy farmers thro ugh a multiplicity of information channels. An extensive survey was co nducted during the 1st yr of the project on 329 commercial dairy farms throughout Pennsylvania. The same farms were contacted 2.5 to 3 yr la ter for comparison. Most (84.7%) of the farmers in the original random sample learned new information about calf and heifer management durin g this time, and 77.3% reported that they received all or part of this new information from extension. Sources of information most often use d by the farmers in this study were dairy magazines, extension newslet ters, and meetings organized either through extension or agribusiness. Adoption by farmers of many of the targeted practices specific to cal ving management, preweaned calves, and health management increased ove r this period.