Starting Strong - Calf Care

By Jenna Hurty-Person, Progressive Dairyman
A healthy gut in baby calves is important to give them the best start to life possible. Rowntree explained why a healthy gut is important and shared what you can do to help develop it.

By Peggy Coffeen, Progressive Dairyman
Four common misconceptions exist when we think about prefresh heifers. Hoffman addressed these misconceptions and challenged producers to dig deeper into these beliefs in order to better understand the unique needs of these animals.

By Brittany Olson, contributing writer
Going from life as a monogastric animal to a ruminating animal is one of the most significant changes in a calf's life. How she transitions sets the stage for her future growth and development.

By Brittany Olson, contributing writer
While cows crave routine in their daily lives, so do calves and heifers. Hoskins spoke about the need to dial in on quality control for calf nutrition to help improve animal health and performance.

By Jenna Hurty-Person, Progressive Dairyman
Calf autofeeders face many challenges, and overcoming these challenges is important for raising healthy calves. Ziemerink shared how to properly manage autofeeders and avoid some common mistakes.

By Jenna Hurty-Person, Progressive Dairyman
Building a new calf barn and completely rethinking how to raise calves effectively and efficiently can be a daunting task. Three Wisconsin dairywomen shared their experiences as they tackled this challenge on their farms.

The first Virtual Farm Tour hit inboxes in 2010 and featured City Slickers Farm, LLC. While the commitment to excellent calf care remains the cornerstone of the farm, the scope of their operation has changed considerably.