Thanks to some extra care and attention, a premature calf recently born on our farm is doing well

The standards we know best can sometimes be just what’s needed to solve a problem

Individual dairy calf housing was a concept that arose in the 1960s. At the time, dairy farmers were struggling with high rates of calf morbidity and mortality

Though we might not always be set up to succeed, dairy farmers overcome challenges every day to care for our animals and our business

What do you see when you envision the future of calf care on dairy farms?For dairy researcher Michael Steele, he believes that data and precision management will shape the way we raise calves

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?

Just like with human babies, growing young calves well is critical for their continued development and how they will perform as adults

What job on your farm would you like to make easier?There are many possible answers to this question, but a top contender for many would likely be disbudding calves

Separating a dairy calf from its dam shortly after birth is a standard farm practice. For years, this has been considered safer and healthier for animals and people

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

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...

As we brace ourselves and our farms for winter, there is one particularly vulnerable population on the dairy when it comes to cold weather.“Newborns are going to be the most susceptible animals

In any system, calf care is done best by individuals who are patient and detail focused

I was once told by a vet, “The scours didn't kill your calf, you did.” I was completely appalled at the fact that he had just accused me of letting my calf die

I didn’t grow up wanting to be a farmer. I resented being the farm kid. I couldn’t go to friend’s houses after school because there were calves to feed

“Calves are an investment in your future herd and profitability of your farm,” said Margaret Quaassdorff, dairy management specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension

While it has been a somewhat mild winter so far in parts of the country, that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been cold days and nights, especially for people working outside and for calves housed...

Since calves are highly susceptible to disease, farmers should be using both physical and behavioral indicators to help identify a potential illness

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