Posted on July 28th, 2020 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Brandon Scharping, Lena Veterinary Clinic Pink eye is a painful disease for livestock and a frustrating disease for cattle producers. Although prevention can be difficult, various preventative health and management factors can reduce the risk of pink eye in your herd.
Posted on August 24th, 2018 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
With Sara Schilling of Schilling Farms LLC In this segment of A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser, Sara Schilling, Schilling Farms LLC, shares her summer bedding protocols as well as what products she uses for fly control.
Posted on August 23rd, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
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.
Posted on August 23rd, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Stacy Zitelman, Vita Plus dairy specialist July brought many storms with damaging winds and heavy rainfall, followed by a few weeks of high humidity. Keeping calves dry, hydrated and stress-free has been a challenge for producers this summer.
Posted on April 20th, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Frankie Rathbun, Vita Plus Columbus dairy specialist Spring has arrived here in southern Wisconsin and we have been experiencing the wet conditions that come along with it. Based on the on-farm observations our team has made and discussions with veterinarians, I believe that respiratory disease has been the number one challenge as we enter spring. Along with that, an increase in Salmonella-related challenges have not only resulted in scours, but also have developed into respiratory issues in some herds. Salmonella can be transferred through saliva, milk, fecal-oral vectors, nasal contact and colostrum. Key factors that impact the spread of Salmonella are cleanliness and ventilation.
Posted on February 23rd, 2017 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator As spring approaches, it’s time to develop a plan to combat those pesky flies. The key to good fly control is getting ahead of them and staying vigilant throughout the season.
Posted on April 27th, 2016 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Jessica Bryan, Vita Plus Kennan dairy consultant It is starting to look a lot like spring in the Northwoods of Wisconsin with the snow melt gone and the rainy weather bringing more moisture. It makes it a little easier to think about the coming summer.
Posted on April 28th, 2015 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator It won’t be long before your time spent feeding calves is clouded with the buzzing of pesky flies swarming around your head.
Getting ahead of the flies will help reduce the population long-term. According to research from Purdue University , a fly can complete an entire generation – from egg to adult – in as little as 10 days.
Posted on August 22nd, 2014 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Brittany Stewart, Vita Plus Dodgeville dairy specialist Here in southwest Wisconsin, the hot summer weather finally showed up, but the cooler summer months have brought on a few challenges.
Although spring came late this year, fly control was still a high priority. Fly control is key to keeping calves comfortable and reducing the incidence of disease. Using a combination of fly control products such as ClariFly , fly bait and insecticide ear tags helps to reduce the fly population...
Posted on June 26th, 2013 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
Fly control is a top priority in the summer, but it can also be messy. This fly control strategy uses recycled milk jugs to hold fly bait. Visit our YouTube channel for more Calf Care Quick Tips.
Posted on June 26th, 2013 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator
When heat stress hits on the farm, we often look to the cows first. But did you know that heat stress can hit calves as hard as all the other animals on the farm?
Heat-stressed calves may have reduced average daily gains or increased incidence of treatments. Worst of all, heat stress may cause higher death loss in your calf program.
Calves suffering from heat stress are more likely to become dehydrated...
Posted on June 26th, 2013 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Richard Mensendike, Vita Plus Lanark dairy specialist
Now that summer has finally arrived here in northwest Illinois, we’re focusing on a lot of the basic management protocols we need to follow to keep calves healthy in hot weather.
Fly control seems to be the top issue on most calf raisers’ minds. This trend started in early spring and has carried through as temperatures have risen. That’s a good thing because the bugs seem to be particularly bad this year....
Posted on April 10th, 2013 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator
With fly season quickly approaching, have you thought through your plan of attack? Some places still have snow on the ground, but the weather can turn quickly and having an established plan can save you lots of time and energy this summer.
According to research from Purdue University , a fly can complete an entire generation – from egg to adult – within as little as 10 days. This is just another reason...
Posted on November 9th, 2012 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
When it comes to raising healthy heifers in a humane fashion, preventing infectious disease is only part of the battle. Internal and external parasites also can take a toll on heifers' wellbeing and limit their production potential as well.
Parasite control comprises a significant portion of the Dairy Calf & Heifer Association's Gold Standards III , which address animal welfare.
"Heifers are more susceptible to damage from parasite infections than adult cattle, negatively affecting their growth potential and ability...
Posted on November 3rd, 2012 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
From Ted Holthaus, Central Life Sciences
If you’re thinking you don’t have to worry about fly control for a few months yet, think again.
According to Ted Holthaus, regional manager with Central Life Sciences, now is the time to make plans for fly control on your operation. Not only are flies a nuisance for farm workers, but they can also transmit disease and cause significant economic loss. In fact, flies have the potential to spread 65 different disease organisms....
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