Webinar to focus on feed evaluation
The I-29 Moo University dairy webinar series continues noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 15, focusing on positioning 2025 feed for success with Rock River Laboratory Animal Nutrition Technical Services Director Katie Raver.
Want to see how this year’s crop stacked up? Join in for a discussion reviewing the 2025 central plains spring and fall forage crops. Many factors impact nutrient content and digestibility. This ultimately affects how this crop will feed and its milk production potential. Take a closer look at how this year compared to years previous and what to be on the lookout for as producers begin to feed out the 2025 forage crops.
Growing up in rural Illinois, Raver developed a passion for agriculture at a young age. While attaining her undergraduate degree in animal science at University of Illinois she immersed herself in the dairy industry. After completing her undergraduate degree, she completed a summer internship at Rock River Laboratory and further developed her passion for forage and feed quality. Upon returning to the University of Illinois for her master’s degree in ruminant nutrition with Phil Cardoso, she was able to further explore these interests as her graduate work focused on forage quality and fungal disease.
She then moved to Texas after finishing her degree. She has been at Rock River Laboratory for five years and in her current role as animal nutrition technical services director she oversees technical support and development. Her interests include forage quality assessment and understanding how environmental and management conditions impact forage quality. She also has a deep seeded interest in exploring ways to improve feed efficiency on farms and how data can be used to maximize the value of feeds on farms.
Producers will learn about research and tips to successfully integrate heifers into robotic milking systems. We’ll cover strategies for pre-training, including early exposure and positive reinforcement, as well as hands-on training techniques to ensure a smooth transition. Learn how to reduce stress, optimize performance, and set your next generation of cows up for success in your automated milking system.
There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour prior to the webinar. Register online at:
https://go.iastate.edu/2025FEEDFORSUCCESS
