Finding effective ways to translate knowledge from the latest research into applicable concepts on farm is a continuous challenge for the dairy industry. Valacta held a series of workshops on young calf feeding and management practices in Quebec, Canada, from November 2016 to March 2017. A total of 1,398 producers attended one of the 127 sessions offered. Topics addressed covered mainly the pre-weaning period and focused on colostrum (importance in terms of nutrients, IgG content, management, timing of first feeding), milk feeding (type and quality of milk replacers, feeding levels, proper mixing of milk replacer), solid feeds (forages, concentrates, types and amounts), weaning (protocol and timing), and growth monitoring. In a discussion format, producers were invited to compare and challenge current feeding and management practices for young calves. Producers were also asked to bring a colostrum sample as well as a sample of reconstituted milk replacer to learn how these can be assessed quickly on farm and to generate discussion around the results. Between 2 and 3 mo after their participation in the workshop, producers were sent a survey to evaluate adoption of best practices covered in the workshop. Producers were asked if they used the suggested management practice already before the workshop (Before), since the workshop (After), or not at all (No). Table 1 presents results of the 199 workshop participants who answered the survey. Testing colostrum for quality and daily milk feeding practices were the ones where the workshop had the greatest impact. The importance of growth monitoring still needs to be reinforced. Table 1. Survey responses

Management practice	Yes: Before (%)	Yes: After (%)	No (%)
Test colostrum with refractometer	6	72	28
Feed colostrum within 1h of birth	66	92	8
Feed a second meal of colostrum	23	56	42
Keep a bank of frozen colostrum	37	63	35
Thaw colostrum at 40°C	16	50	25
Ensure adequate quality of milk replacer	63	78	9
Weigh amount of milk replacer	26	54	23
Verify mixing temperature	21	50	43
Reconstitute milk replacer at 150 g/L	37	31	9
Verify milk final temperature	21	48	43
Rapidly increase to at least 8 L/d milk	56	86	11
Wean gradually when calf eats 2 kg/d	62	79	18
Monitor growth at 2, 6 and 13 mo	21	33	64
Breed at target BW	69	78	17