205 | Dairy Heifer Raisers Talk Challenges and Triumphs in 2025
Two heifer growers from two different parts of the country join us today: TJ McClure joins us from southwest Kansas, and Kendall Wassenaar from northwest Iowa, to chat about the strategies they have been using to overcome challenges in their heifer development operations, including:
➡️ Recruiting labor in a county with only 1,200 people,
➡️ Problem-solving pink eye in heifers
➡️ Strategies for increasing operational efficiency and reducing man hours
➡️ And the organization through which these two connected a few years back, the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association.
As current DCHA President, Kendall gives highlights for the 2025 annual conference, set for April 8-10 in Westminster, Colorado, and TJ, a past president and DCHA board member, shares what he is looking forward to at this year’s premier event.
This episode is sponsored by the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association and Zoetis.
Register for the DCHA Annual Conference: https://calfandheifer.org/
Zoetis' Calf Wellness solutions are pivotal in ensuring your calves receive the best start possible. By focusing on prediction, prevention, treatment, and expertise, Zoetis helps you raise healthy, productive cows, securing a prosperous future for our herds.
Visit www.calfwellness.com
00:00 Introduction to the Uplevel Dairy Podcast
01:47 Meet Kendall Wassner: From Orange City to Leadership
04:18 TJ McClure's Journey: From Oklahoma to Kansas
11:32 Challenges in Heifer Raising: Water, Labor, and Bird Flu
17:59 Animal Health Issues: Breeding Performance and Pink Eye
22:55 Addressing Pink Eye Challenges
25:54 Labor Issues in Rural Areas
29:54 Strategies for Efficiency and Cost Reduction
34:54 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Goals
36:21 Networking and Conferences
42:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
