Calf and heifer nutrition

We're pleased to introduce Jill Houin and the Homestead Dairy team in Plymouth, Indiana. Throughout 2020, Jill will share her calf program and experiences with us.

Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist
Knowing your feed cost of gain is an important consideration when selecting and evaluating a nursery calf feeding program. This cost of gain calculator can be used to estimate the cost of gain for a nursery calf program. 

By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator
Consistently delivering fresh starter and getting calves to eat it can be a hassle. Here are five ways to get starter in front of calves. 

The calf program at Sunrise Dairy LLC in Suring, Wisconsin, has changed a lot in the 10 years Kayla Hischke has managed the youngstock program. From housing young calves in a calf barn instead of the dairy's old stone barn, to sending heifers to a Nebraskan custom raiser, the team has found ways to innovate and raise calves throughout the changes.

In this edition of A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser, Brianna Hackbarth, a calf manager at Fischer-Clark Dairy Farm Inc., walks us through the farm's winter calf processing procedures.

By Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist
Dr. Noah Litherland explores the protein requirements of the growing calf and what role calf starter can play in reaching growth goals.

By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator
It is critical for calves to receive milk between 100 and 105 degrees F, but this can be challenging during the winter. Try any of these seven ways to keep milk warm before you feed it.

In this edition of Calf Chat, Dr. Noah Litherland discusses three benchmarks for successful calf raising and why they matter.

By Dr. Jenn Rowntree, Vita Plus calf and heifer specialist
Colostrum is one of the best ways to ensure adequate transfer of immunity from the dam to the calf. However, when a calf doesn't receive enough immune protection, it can be vulnerable to health challenges.

By Dr. Jennifer Van Os, University of Wisconsin-Madison animal welfare extension specialist
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers and extension educators are seeking U.S. dairy producers or calf raisers, along with bovine veterinary practitioners, to participate in an online survey as part of a study on animal care practices for preweaned dairy calves. Participating producers can choose to enter a random drawing to win a refractometer and $100 Vita Plus gift voucher or other prize. 

Mikayla Bullman, the Fischer-Clark Dairy Farm Inc. calf feeder, discusses the farm's calf feeding procedures and takes us along with her as she feeds calves.

By Dr. Jenn Rowntree, Vita Plus calf and heifer specialist
Pre- and probiotics are now fairly common in the livestock industry. To gain a better understanding of these feed additives, we answered five common questions for you.

The chore list on a dairy farm is seemingly endless and everchanging, yet cows and calves do best with consistent care. The team at Dolph Dairy LLC in Lake Mills, Wisconsin has designed a system that gives each fresh cow, newborn, and preweaned calf the attention and consistency needed to thrive.

Maria Poock with Fischer-Clark Dairy Farm Inc. walks us through the calf team's colostrum management protocols, including harvesting, testing, storing and tube-feeding colostrum.

In this edition of Calf Chat, Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist, discusses calf starter particle size and how important it is to minimize the amount of fines to maximize calf performance.

With Heidi Fischer, Fischer-Clark Dairy Farms, Inc.
We're pleased to introduce Heidi Fischer and the Fischer-Clark Dairy team in Hatley, Wisconsin.  Throughout 2019, Heidi will share her calf program and experiences with us. Visit our YouTube channel for more segments of A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser.