Animal health

From Sheila McGuirk, UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine Cold weather may be inconvenient in terms of calf jackets and frozen water, but it is great for limiting the microscopic bugs that make young calves sick. As the spring weather warms up, it’s important for producers to take a look at their calf care protocols and

Dr. Neil Michael comes to Starting Strong with nearly 30 years of experience as a veterinarian specializing in dairy. He currently works as the Director of Dairy Initiatives for Vita Plus. Q1: Is the incidence of Cocci prominent in pre-weaned calves?  With all the NT changes in milk replacers, we could use help sorting out

From Steve Hayes, DAY 1 Technology We may enjoy the warm summer months, but we can’t necessarily say the same for our calves. As temperatures rise, heat stress becomes an increasing concern for these young animals. Steve Hayes with DAY 1 Technology said heat stress can have several effects on calf health, including: Rapid dehydration

Are you still in the process of learning how the NT milk replacer changes affect your operation?  Check out our answers to these frequently asked questions. Consult your local Vita Plus representative or dealer for help in determining the most desirable approach for dealing with the changes. What are the major changes to the regulations

Do you ever wonder how your calves’ performance measures up against other calf raisers? The Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) has established its Gold Standards to help producers set goals for calf performance and health. The Gold Standards are set for Holstein calves from birth to six months of age across the U.S.  They

Dr. Neil Michael comes to Starting Strong with nearly 30 years of experience as a veterinarian specializing in dairy.  He currently works as the Director of Dairy Initiatives for Vita Plus. Q1: Should I test calves for BVD PI status? BVD remains one of the most costly diseases in the U.S. cattle industry and is

From Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus Calf Products Coordinator Respiratory disease is a leading cause of mortality in calves under six months of age. In addition to death loss, respiratory disease causes other economic losses, such as high treatment costs, reduced growth rate, delayed calving and increased culling. Respiratory disease is an infection caused by inflammation