As we inch toward the brink of winter, we are often reminded once the first cold temperatures hit of all the tasks we need to accomplish on the farm before the snow flies

Dairy farmers are aware of the importance of colostrum and the impact it can have on getting calves off on the right foot from the start

The calf program has often been relegated to a lower priority for the dairy business as it is a current expense with a delayed impact on future income

There are varying opinions on if and when to feed hay to calves

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a major cause of death among calves and one of the largest health challenges facing our modern-day dairy industry

Achieving optimal stall comfort will ensure the success of your herd and also reduce the number of stall-ridden injuries

The author is an associate editor for Hoard’s Dairyman. Preventing calf disease like scours starts before calving and becomes more crucial in the first days of life

There are three critical periods for dairy calves. The first is around calving and includes the cow, the environment, and the colostrum feeding and management

Managing livestock is complex. A dairy farmer is constantly trying to move the seesaw of health and disease in favor of animal health

During a recent calf study, most of my mornings were spent measuring grain refusals

I was recently asked what significant changes I have seen in calf nutrition and growth over my nearly 35-year career at the University of Illinois

Heifer buyers today will leave the sale barn with a dent in their pocketbooks. On the other hand, farmers who are selling their heifers are leaving with smiles on their faces

On dairy farms, heifers can be described as the middle ground of the operation. Heifers are not yet producing milk but are eating a substantial amount of feed

Historically, criminals who have been sentenced to death have been granted a sumptuous last meal before their execution

DAIRY producers are aware of the importance of feeding quality colostrum within the first two hours of birth (and surely within six hours). Colostrum provides immunity as antibodies

A growing number of calves are being hauled long distances at a young age to get to the calf raiser. On these long trips, calves typically don’t have access to milk or water

Millions of calves, including replacement heifers, dairy bull calves, and dairy-beef calves, leave dairy farms every year

My predecessor started the concept of herd health checks in our area over 50 years ago. Cows and heifers were checked for their reproductive status on a schedule

Heifer calves are an investment area on our farms