Starting Strong – Calf Care

It’s time once again for calf jackets, and it’s important to provide clean jackets for newborn calves.

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. 

Healthy cows make healthy calves at Pfaffsway Farms
Raising strong, healthy calves doesn’t start on day one at Pfaffsway Farms in Alma Center, Wisconsin.  According to the Pfaff family, it starts a long time before then.

In this segment of A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser, Jonathon Hallock, MarBec Dairy, explains the protocols he and his team follow to care for newborn calves and fresh cows.  With many team members responsible for maternity care, they use several communication tools to keep everyone up to speed.

By Dr. Barry Kleppe, Waunakee Veterinary Service
Think of the old western movie cattle drives - the longhorns were left alone.  Removal of bovine horns has evolved over time. 

By Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist
Have you ever found yourself reading a milk replacer tag and trying to understand what additives are included, what those additives do and whether or not they are right for your calf program?

By Pat Hoffman, Vita Plus dairy technical specialist
So we fire up the tractor, load the TMR mixer, turn into the central feed alley of the heifer freestall barn, and start discharging feed. Typically, the last thing we want is the heifers to run out of feed, so we make sure they have plenty. 

Oops. We forgot to add a couple of details to the story. 

By Jeff Winkler, Vita Plus operations leader, and Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist
Calf raisers on operations of all sizes are looking at bulk calf starter storage.  Bulk calf starter has some advantages over bagged starter, including decreased price per ton (no bagging costs), no empty bags to deal with, and the convenience of bulk starter available right there on your farm.  Here are some key questions to ask as you consider construction of on-farm starter grain storage structures. 

Question:  What are the risk factors of coccidiosis in my calves?

Quick answer:  The key risk factors for coccidiosis are incomplete protection from a coccidiostat and high-level exposure to the parasite. 

A bit more...

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.

By Glenn Andler, Vita Builders LLC general manager
Are you considering construction of calf starter bins on your farm?  Thorough planning prior to construction can save you time and hassle, as well as dollars lost in spoiled feed.  It can also help you build these units so they can be used in the safest way possible.  Consider the following points as you design and construct new bins.

By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator
Using 5-hour ENERGY® for a calf can be the quick-pick-me-up a calf needs.

Midwest calf raisers have already experienced a big bout of hot, humid weather and heat stress in their animals this summer.  In this edition of Calf Chat, Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist, shares his top 10 tips to keep calves healthy when temperatures rise.

‘No-drama Calf Raising’ at McClellan Farms, Inc.
Tom McClellan is a fourth-generation owner of McClellan Farms, Inc. in Delavan, Wisconsin, where they currently milk 480 cows and average 90 pounds of milk per cow per day.  This level of production begins with successful calf care and McClellan believes in “no-drama calf raising” through a slow and deliberate program that starts in the calving pen.

In this segment of A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser, Jonathon Hallock, MarBec Dairy, highlights the numerous things his team does to keep calves healthy and strong through periods of hot weather and heat stress.

By Dr. Jenn Rowntree, Military Ridge Veterinary Service
Calf rearing is one of the most time-consuming and important tasks on a dairy farm.  The performance of any pre-weaned calf program has a direct impact on a herd’s future and milk production.  Whether it's a 50-cow dairy or a 5,000-cow dairy, it is easy for attentive calf caretakers to become frustrated when calves get sick or die.  Working closely with your herd veterinarian is crucial when it comes to investigating causes of calf illness, whether it's due to scours, pneumonia or other diseases.