Calf chat

In this edition of Calf Chat, Dr. Noah Litherland discusses the effects dry cow heat stress has on calf health and performance.

In this edition of Calf Chat, Ann Hoskins demonstrates how to properly mix colostrum replacer and introduces the new Vita Plus SerPass 150 and 200 colostrum replacers.

In this edition of Calf Chat, Dr. Noah Litherland discusses the goals of ventilation systems and how seasonal changes can influence those goals.  

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

In this edition of Calf Chat, Ann Hoskins talks with Dr. Jennifer Van Os, University of Wisconsin-Madison assistant professor and extension specialist in animal welfare, and Kim Reuscher, a dairy science graduate student, about current research projects involving calf hutches and ventilation.  One quick and affordable option for improving hutch ventilation is to install Calf-Tel's calf hutch vent covers, as shown in the video.

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.

In this edition of Calf Chat, Ann Hoskins walks transition heifers with Shawn Miller, Pagel's Ponderosa Dairy calf manager, and shares the steps his team takes when transition calves get sick.

In this edition of Calf Chat, Dr. Noah Litherland discusses the four components of self-discipline and how we can apply them to become better calf managers.

In this edition of Calf Chat, Ann Hoskins discusses proper milk replacer mixing and what you can do to ensure everyone on your team mixes the same consistency.

In this edition of Calf Chat, Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist, explains how lactose acts as a natural laxative and how different feeding rates can impact calf manure consistency. 

With Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator
Cold temperatures are especially tough on newborn calves. In this edition of Calf Chat, Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator, provides seven tips to give newborn calves the best start possible.

In this edition of Calf Chat, Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist, suggests weaning strategies based on the amount of milk fed. 

This summer's weather has led to a bumper crop of flies.  In this edition of Calf Chat, Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator, shares tips to limit the population through fall and prevent further fly issues in the the spring. 

Midwest calf raisers have already experienced a big bout of hot, humid weather and heat stress in their animals this summer.  In this edition of Calf Chat, Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist, shares his top 10 tips to keep calves healthy when temperatures rise.

The recent Dairy Calf and Heifer Association Conference provided attendees with new research and trends in the dairy industry.  In this edition of Calf Chat, Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator, shares a few of her highlights from the event.

We're seeing some overcrowding in heifer facilities right now, which can lead to health challenges if management protocols slip a bit.  Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist, discusses some of the things you can do to keep your calves healthy through environmental challenges.