Heat stress

By Augusta Hagen, Vita Plus dairy nutrition and management fellow We’ve had a moderately cool summer, but we all know that has abruptly changed this last week. Hot days and humidity make for lots of uncomfortable, low-producing cows. To cope in our dairy barns, we have implemented innovative cooling systems to keep our cows comfortable,

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. 

By Laura Zagorski, Dairy Service Specialist Like many areas in the Midwest, Michigan faced above average temperatures and dry conditions this summer. For calf raisers, this has created a need for a greater management emphasis on many of the basics. Even though fresh, clean water is always a vital nutrient required by our calves, it

By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus Calf Products Coordinator Recognizing and treating dehydration is key to raising healthy calves. Calves will become dehydrated for many reasons, including summer heat and scours. If you can catch dehydration early, supplemental fluids can get the calf on the road to a quicker recovery. A calf’s body contains 75 to

Dr. Becky Brotzman, DVM, is the associate outreach specialist for the Food Animal Production Medicine section at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. Q: “I am concerned with heat stress in my calves. I currently use both hutches and a calf barn for raising my pre-weaned calves. What are my options for heat

From Brian Holmes, University of Wisconsin-Madison We often think of ventilation as a key issue in the summer. But according to Brian Holmes, University of Wisconsin-Madison Biological Systems Engineering professor, ventilation is a key concern for calves year-round. Holmes said that’s because we must first understand that ventilation is defined as air exchange; fresh air

From Steve Hayes, DAY 1 Technology We may enjoy the warm summer months, but we can’t necessarily say the same for our calves. As temperatures rise, heat stress becomes an increasing concern for these young animals. Steve Hayes with DAY 1 Technology said heat stress can have several effects on calf health, including: Rapid dehydration