Virtual farm tour: Loehr Farms, LLC

Posted on April 13, 2022 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
Loehr Farms, LLC in Eden, Wisconsin, is a sixth-generation dairy farm.  After a herd expansion, the Loehr family built a new calf barn with an autofeeder.  Herdsman Ryan Loehr said the autofeeder allows him to spend more time with the calves that need it.

This makes my life easier: Milk replacer scale

Posted on April 13, 2022 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
"Consistency is very important to us when it comes to our calves. To make sure they get the same solids at every feeding, we weigh the milk replacer powder and water. This stand makes that job much easier." - Healther Schuld, Hasel Farms, Lake Mills, Wisconsin

Set autofeeders to match your calf-feeding goals

Posted on October 8, 2021 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf program manager All the settings of an autofeeder work together and one change can affect the others.  Program the machine so that milk volume, minimum and maximum limitations, and concentration match your calf-feeding strategy. When deciding on a feeding plan, think about when these calves will enter the feeder

Virtual Farm Tour: Gar-Lin Dairy LLC

Posted on January 28, 2021 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

Dana Allen-Tully, partner and dairy operations manager at Gar-Lin Dairy LLC in Eyota, Minnesota, was looking to design new calf facilities. She recognized the workforce was changing and wanted facilities that provided a nice work environment for employees that also allowed for workflow efficiency. Autofeeders seemed like the right fit and construction on a new barn was completed in October 2016.

Calf Care Checklist: 8 Things You Might Forget Your Autofeeder Needs

Posted on November 12, 2020 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator
As technology delivers more and more details, it’s easy to forget all the little things along the way. Here are eight things you should check to make sure your autofeeder is functioning properly.

VIDEO: A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser – Autofeeder Cleaning Protocols

Posted on May 27, 2020 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

In this edition of A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser, Jill Houin discusses the automatic and manual cleaning protocols for Homestead Dairy’s autofeeders.

VIDEO: A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser – Meet Jill Houin, Homestead Dairy, LLC

Posted on March 26, 2020 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

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.

Virtual Farm Tour: Minglewood, Inc.

Posted on November 13, 2019 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

Before they installed autofeeders in the calf barns at Minglewood, Inc., Kristin Quist, calf manager, said the team used to spend 16 hours a day feeding calves three times a day. Now, Quist invests eight hours a day and has more flexibility in the schedule to dedicate time to other areas of the dairy.

VIDEO: Calf Chat with Jenn – Autofeeders

Posted on November 13, 2019 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

In this edition of Calf Chat, Dr. Jenn Rowntree discusses the importance of walking through calf autofeeder pens, and calibrating and cleaning the machines regularly.

Virtual Farm Tour: Hasel Farms

Posted on March 18, 2019 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

When the team at Hasel Farms was researching autofeeders in 2010, they had to travel more than 200 miles to tour facilities because the technology was so new.  However, the opportunity to reduce labor demands made the decision easy and the Hasels moved calves into their own autofeeder barn in October 2011.

Virtual Farm Tour: River Crest Dairy, LLC

Posted on January 17, 2019 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

The team at River Crest Dairy, LLC in Greenwood, Wisconsin knew they could improve calf performance with better ventilation and housing. In the fall of 2017, nursery calves and preweaned heifers moved into a new custom-designed barn, and the team couldn't be happier with the results they've seen so far.

Successfully using calf autofeeders – Jan Ziemerink, Foerster Technik North America

Posted on June 27, 2018 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

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.

Panel discussion – Calf barns: The decision-making adventures of bringing calves inside – Fischer-Clark Dairy, River Crest Dairy, LLC, & Ocooch Dairy

Posted on June 27, 2018 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

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. 

Virtual Farm Tour: JDR Farms, LLC

Posted on October 25, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

Since installing autofeeders in 2015, JDR Farms, LLC in Marlette, Michigan has enjoyed a more flexible chore schedule.  But the team still makes sure they invest the time each day to observe calves and clean equipment to consistently raise healthy calves.

Top 10 Factors Limiting Nursery Calf Group Feeding Systems – Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus

Posted on June 20, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care

By Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist
Automated calf feeding systems continue to increase in popularity throughout the upper Midwest despite little uniformity in facility design, feeding method, and performance across farms and no industry-wide accepted model to balance facility performance and cost. 

My opinion is that the technology in automated calf feeders is quite good, however, many farms still struggle to manage calves in groups.  We have identified 10 common factors limiting group feeding systems, and suggest some strategies to correct these shortcomings and monitor success. 

VIDEO: Feeding Calves in Autofeeder Systems – Data Management (Part 3)

Posted on December 21, 2015 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
In this video, Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator, walks us through the data autofeeder systems provide and highlights key indicators that can help you best manage your calves. Click here for Part 1 in this video series and click here for Part 2.  Gain more helpful video tips on our YouTube channel.