Starting Strong – Calf Care

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. 

Heidi Fischer and the team at Fischer-Clark Dairy Farm, Inc. in Hatley, Wisconsin had plans to build a new autofeeder calf barn, but they chose to modify the current barn to house four rows of individual pens instead.  They now focus on organization and communication to successfully grow healthy calves. 

We're pleased to introduce Sara Schilling and the Schilling Farms dairy team in Darlington, Wisconsin.  Throughout 2018, Sara will share her calf program and experiences with us.

By Dr. Rob Farruggio, Jefferson Veterinary Clinic, S.C.
Respiratory disease in calves is a common issue dairy farms encounter.  The key is to identify respiratory challenges quickly and address the areas needing improvement.

By Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock specialist
By understanding a calf's plumbing, specifically the abomasum, we can design feeding and management programs that fit the calf's abilities to digest milk, grow, and decrease opportunities for pathogens. 

By Dr. Jenn Rowntree, Vita Plus dairy calf and heifer specialist
Setting goals in specific areas for your farm's calf and heifer health, and regularly comparing health events to those goals, can help determine if they are being met.

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.

Rachelle Krienke has two major goals for her calves:  She wants them to be as healthy as possible and she wants to see good body condition at weaning.  She has designed a system that allows her to consistently reach both goals for her farm’s replacement heifers.

With Jonathon Hallock, MarBec Dairy
Jonathon Hallock, MarBec Dairy, shares some of the features of his recently completed calf barn addition as well as some of the challenges he encountered through the process.  Thank you to Jonathon for sharing his farm and calf raising strategies with us throughout 2017. 

By Dr. Jeremy Schefers, University of Minnesota, and Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist
Quality and hygiene are important considerations when feeding waste milk to nursery calves.  Benefits of on-farm pasteurization include reduced diarrhea and respiratory disease.  Proper pasteurization also kills Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (responsible for Johne’s disease), Salmonella and Mycoplasma, if present in milk. 

By Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist
Heifer weight at calving is an important determinant of first lactation performance.  Our goal is to achieve 82 percent of mature size to achieve 80 percent of mature cow milk yield.  Having a plan and setting benchmarks for heifer growth and development is key to successful replacement heifer development.  The list below summarizes phases of growth and target weight at the end of each growth phase, as well as important highlights and factors that affect growth in each phase.

By Charlie Kunisch, Vita Plus dairy & beef specialist
With the beginning of December came the beginning of winter in northern Michigan. Areas across the northern part of the state have seen upward of 12 inches of snow and temperatures dropping into the teens.  As producers dig out their calf hutches and thaw waterers, here are a few things to consider.

By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator
To properly store milk replacer, (1) keep milk replacer in a clean, dry area.  (2) In mixing areas, keep milk replacer in a clean tote or covered container.  (3) If milk replacer is kept in the bag, roll down the bag after each use.