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.

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.

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?

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.

Facility features: Feed barriers for young heifers

Posted on January 24, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Noah Litherland, Ph.D. | When building or updating heifer facilities, producers must choose what feed barrier(s) to incorporate into the heifer pens. Consider these questions to help you identify the best option for your heifers and management system.

Expert’s corner: When and how to wean your calves

Posted on January 24, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Lucas Mitchell, Ph.D. | “What age should calves be weaned off milk or milk replacer and how should that process look?” The answer - albeit an unsatisfying one - is that it depends. These steps contain key considerations that will help ensure a successful weaning strategy for your farm.

Calf care checklist: 5 tips for winter management

Posted on January 24, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Bethany Dado-Senn, Ph.D. | Of all the animals on your dairy farm, calves are the most susceptible to cold stress and require the most attention when facing winter weather. Fortunately, these tools can help you efficiently and strategically keep calves warm throughout the winter months.

Know what’s in your milk replacer

Posted on January 24, 2023 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Dr. Noah Litherland, Ph.D. | A quality milk replacer starts with quality ingredients. This article identifies common milk replacer ingredients and their functions.

Target growth weights in weaned heifers

Posted on October 19, 2022 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
Dr. Lucas Mitchell | While there is no universal growth target for weaned heifers, farmers should take the time to develop target growth goals for their weaned heifers because, if they don’t, they may be unintentionally losing first-lactation milk.

Virtual Farm Tour: Felten Farms

Posted on July 28, 2022 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
Felten Farms in St. Cloud, Wisconsin, milks about 400 cows and raises all its heifers onsite with mostly family labor. Eric Felten takes the lead on calf feeding and care. He said he began exploring ways to improve calf management a couple of years ago to increase the efficiency and performance in this area of the farm.