Starting Strong - Calf Care

By Dr. Peter Strassburg, Lodi Veterinary Clinic
Calf diarrhea is a common and very frustrating problem when raising calves. Identifying scours early can help you decide on a treatment plan and increase your odds of treatment success.

Pagel's Ponderosa Dairy in Kewaunee, Wisconsin is the largest family-owned dairy farm in Wisconsin. They milk 5,400 cows and raise around 3,300 calves at their calf ranch. Attendees of the Vita Plus Calf Summit Preconference Farm School had the opportunity to tour different areas of the farm and learn from members of the Pagel's team and other industry experts.

By Brittany Olson, contributing writer
Colostrum is concentrated with important nutrients, antibodies and growth hormones to help give a calf a healthy start to life. Steele explained how providing quality colostrum early in a calf's life can help it take in nutrition and repel pathogens.

Calves don't become productive members of the milking herd overnight. They need to be "grown from the inside out" with proper nutrition to develop their GI tract and digestive processes to ensure efficient growth.

By Peggy Coffeen, Progressive Dairyman
When it comes to hoof health, most problems have started long before the animals enter the milking herd. In Busman's experience, he sees many problems stem from sand-bedded heifer facilities.

By Brittany Olson, contributing writer
With many dairies feeling the effects of Salmonella and pressure from consumers to reduce antibiotic use, biosecurity is currently a hot topic in animal agriculture. Rowntree explained what you can do to ensure the safety of your production.

By Jenna Hurty-Person, Progressive Dairyman
Minimizing heifer raising costs without sacrificing heifer quality can be a challenge for dairies. Akins shared some heifer rearing opportunities he sees to improve current practices.