Facility design

By Progressive Dairyman Editor Peggy Coffeen
In the past few decades, North Florida Holsteins has figured out how to achieve more than 90 pounds of milk per day in an environment where extreme heat stress is the norm.

When planning facilities for calves and heifers, dairy producers must piece together their management style with production goals, such as expanding versus maintaining herd size, or using automated versus manual labor.

“It’s a big puzzle,” Dr. Joseph Harner, livestock housing and facilities expert at Kansas State University, said. “Long term, think about the impact of where you want to be.”

To kick-off Vita Plus Calf Summit 2016, about 120 attendees participated in the preconference Farm School on June 21 at Ostrowski Farms, Inc. in Eland, Wisconsin.  While on farm, participants rotated through several stations to learn the best management practices in a wide variety of calf and heifer care areas.  Each speaker shared their key points for attendees to take back to their home farms.

By Dr. Ken Nordlund, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine clinical professor emeritus

Question:  How has calf raising changed during your career?

Answer:  I worked as a dairy veterinarian in private practice in Minnesota for 12 years then as a professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for 25 years. While lots of things have come and gone, three items that have big impacts for the good of dairy calves are more milk, fresher air, and better drainage.  

In this video, Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator, discusses many of the facility considerations needed to successfully feed young calves.  From bottle angles to correct pail heights, many factors impact whether a calf can easily and comfortably get the nutrition it needs.

By Jack Hales and Larrie Rosen, Vita Plus dairy specialists
Central Minnesota is experiencing a rather mild winter with occasional blasts of our traditional winters. This change in weather can be tough on animals both inside and out.

The changing weather is causing two major issues. The first challenge is poor air quality, leading to respiratory issues. The second issue is freeze-ups caused by blasts of cold weather.

By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator
Getting calves off to a good start is key to long-term health and performance.

This starts in the maternity pen. It is vital that the calving area is clean, dry, provides ample space for calving, and is comfortable for the cow. For newborn calves – and their immune systems – the goal is to provide the best environment possible.  That is one that is free of manure and allows for an easy entrance into the world.

If you’re raising calves in hutches, take a good look at where drafts might be getting in and chilling your calves.  For example, the bottle holder might be a draft source.  Putting a small amount of straw in the bottle holder area is one small, simple way to help protect your calves on the coldest, windiest days.