Virtual Farm Tour: Beef-on-dairy is one component of whole-farm success at Four Cubs Farm LLC

Posted on October 27, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
The Peterson family has farmed in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, since the land was homesteaded nearly 150 years ago.  The family and farm team are proud of the farm’s rich legacy and its role in the community, and they’re focused on innovation to support the farm’s future.

VIDEO: Calf chat with Lucas – Calf jackets

Posted on October 27, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
In this edition of Calf Chat, Lucas Mitchell, Ph.D., talks about calf jackets. 

What’s in colostrum?

Posted on October 27, 2023 in Calf and heifer nutrition
By Bethany Dado-Senn, Ph.D., Vita Plus | When a calf consultant talks about the importance of colostrum, it’s reminiscent of the “eat vegetables” lecture from the doctor or the “floss daily” reminder from the dentist; these tasks are important for our health, but it’s not always clear why.

Meaningful ways to show appreciation to your employees

Posted on October 27, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Ann Hoskins | There are many ways to show your employees appreciation.  Showing employees that you appreciate them will help them feel good about themselves and their work.  Recognition also creates an atmosphere of trust between employees and managers, which builds a positive work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation.

Balancing nutrition and agronomy for improved heifer diets

Posted on October 18, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Noah Litherland, Ph.D. | Heifers have specific nutrient requirements for maintenance, growth and eventually pregnancy. Forages serve as the foundation for the heifer diet and must be selected with heifer nutrient requirements in mind.

Virtual Farm Tour: McAllister Family Dairy

Posted on August 4, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
The owners of McAllister Family Dairy in New Vienna, Iowa, wanted to build a new calf care facility that could provide the best environment possible for raising healthy calves. When designing the facility, they focused on excellent ventilation and labor efficiency. In early 2022, calves moved into the new barn, which has space for 98 pre- and post-weaned calves. The farm managers are pleased with how the facility has met their goals in the last 18 months.

Video: Calf chat with Ann: Put calf data to work

Posted on August 4, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
In this edition of Calf Chat, Ann Hoskins talks to Katie Grinstead of Vir-Clar Farm about data management.

Feeding colostrum: Esophageal tubes versus bottles

Posted on August 4, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Bethany Dado-Senn, Ph.D. | Both science and field work demonstrate that getting colostrum into calves within 2 hours of birth is a key part of ensuring adequate passive transfer of immunity. However, I often hear disputes on-farm on the best method for approaching this timely feeding. Is it better to feed colostrum via a bottle or esophageal feeder?

The ins and outs of calf hutches

Posted on August 4, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Ann Hoskins | The options for calf hutches endless. The following considerations can help you research and choose hutches that best fit your farm and calf program.

Whole milk versus milk replacer

Posted on August 4, 2023 in Animal health
By Lucas Mitchell, Ph.D., | We frequently compare whole milk and milk replacer when discussing dairy calf nutrition.  It is difficult to offer sound advice or make appropriate decisions on which liquid diet to offer calves unless we understand how they are different.  It also is critical for understanding the different challenges that may occur with each feeding program.

Nutraceutical approach to pathogen control

Posted on August 4, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Noah Litherland, Ph.D. | Nutraceuticals are feed ingredients that have medicinal benefits such as supporting the immune system.  In youngstock diets, nutritionists look for ingredients that increase intestinal integrity, prevent leaky gut, and reduce the risk of excessive inflammation.

Virtual Farm Tour: Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy, LLC

Posted on April 26, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
Between 20 and 40 calves are born each day at Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy, LLC in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. With exceptional animal care as a top priority on the farm, the team continually looks for opportunities to learn, evolve, and adopt new strategies to minimize stress – both for the animals and the employees – during each calving.

Video: Calf chat with Noah: What does a calf smell?

Posted on April 25, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
In this edition of Calf Chat, Noah Litherland, Ph.D., explains how olfaction can impact calves' reactions to their feed and environment.

What does weather do to your calves?

Posted on April 24, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Bethany Dado-Senn, Ph.D., Vita Plus | Weather impacts a calf's environment as well as the nutrition and management strategies needed to maintain health and performance.

Expert’s Corner: The nutrients in your calf starter

Posted on April 24, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Lucas Mitchell, Ph.D., Vita Plus | Carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water are all absolutely necessary to produce a high-quality calf starter. Let’s explore the functions of these nutrients – and their inclusion in calf starter - in more detail.

Calf care checklist: Choosing between bottles and pails

Posted on April 24, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus | “Should I feed milk in bottles or pails?” The most honest answer is that I don’t care as long as it’s clean. This topic has long been debated and yet the body of research does not indicate clear superiority of one feeding method versus the other.  Bottles and pails each have their pros and cons.  Like so many things, the best fit depends on your farm’s unique facilities and management.