The two or so months prior to weaning really lay the foundation for a healthy, productive dairy animal. It is important to review the success of your preweaned calf program every now and then
The correct nutrients, at the right time, creates the right recipe for optimal growth. That’s the winning strategy to develop the rumen in dairy calves
I know you’ve heard it before: “‘So-and-so’ is a cow whisperer; they seem to know a cow is sick before the cow does!” If you’re the lucky recipient of such high praise,...
Vaccinations serve a vital role in maintaining animal wellbeing on today’s dairies. Many of those vaccinations are given early in life and provide a foundation for overall herd health
Many would consider colostrum to be the most important management factor in a calf’s life. As our standards of calf care continue to improve, methods to evaluate colostrum quality and success of...
A very positive trend in dairy cattle research the past few years has been more studies on calves. However, in a Dairy Calf and Heifer Association presentation, University of Guelph’s Michael Steele...
Researchers and farmers alike are uncovering benefits of pair or group housing for calves, from cognitive learning, behavioral flexibility, adaptability, and resilience to stress
Horns on cattle were a natural part of farm life for most operations, but around the 1960s, producers realized that removing these horns makes for a much safer and easier working environment
Wagner Farms in Oconto Falls, Wis., had a 0% death loss in their calves last year. For anyone that has worked with animals, this is the ultimate goal, but sometimes incredibly difficult to achieve
The preweaning period of a calf’s life is not only important for its health and growth down the road, it’s also indicative of its behavior and ability to adapt to new situations