Diarrhea remains a common challenge on dairy farms and calf raising operations around the world. This challenge is also costly. At the University of Guelph, we recently completed a study that eva

After being vaccinated, have you ever felt feverish and tired? Have you sprained your ankle and experienced swelling, or was your ankle even warm to the touch?

A relatively new trend in calf raising is feeding transition milk to calves in early life. Dairy producers have long understood the importance of quickly providing newborn calves with colostrum

The long awaited publication of the eighth edition of Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) includes a chapter on calf nutrition

When temperatures are between 59°F and 82°F, a dairy calf can manage and control its body temperature with relative ease. “They are generating metabolic body heat and have normal exchange...

Scours is one of the most common calfhood illnesses, and it remains a widespread issue on farms. According to the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association’s Gold Standards, farms should aim for less than...

A majority of producers in the most recent National Animal Health Inspection Service (NAHMS) survey indicated that they provide heifer calves with 2 quarts or more of colostrum after the initial feeding

The preweaning period is an especially important part of a calf’s life as it sets the animal up for success. What makes up the starter, how it is fed, and what is its impact should all be considered

The 2020 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) Annual Meeting was held virtually due to the pandemic. Over 2,300 people attended the online event. Four abstracts related to calves and heifers have

Calves like consistency — consistency in what they are fed, when they are fed, and how they are fed. Similar to human babies, calves crave a regular schedule

The 2019 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) Annual Meeting was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, in June. Over 1,800 attendees from more than 60 countries participated

Heat stress abatement is not a novel concept to those in dairy circles. Decades of research indicate that heat-stressed lactating dairy cows will reduce feed intake and drop milk production

There are three critical calf periods. The first period around calving includes the cow, environment, and the whole area of colostrum management

It doesn’t take long for a healthy calf to become a sick one. Early detection and treatment of disease can greatly improve the likelihood of success. During a hands-on workshop a

There is some good news and some not so good news when it comes to calf feeding. Let’s look at the good news first

A calf is born with a sterile rumen environment void of bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. The calf is first inoculated with microbes during the birthing process and in its new external environment

Most producers can recite how they successfully manage colostrum on their farms, yet accomplishing this protocol consistently can be a major challenge

Weaning is the most important transition a calf has to go through before she enters the milking herd, and it is a nutritionally and socially stressful time

Calving is one of the most stressful events a dairy cow will experience during a production cycle. During this time, the cow must be able to cope with a painful labor along with changes in its environment

With a wealth of information about the care and treatment for calves on dairy farms available, it can be easy to forget some of the basics that have the biggest impact on calf health