Starting Strong – Calf Care

In this edition of Calf Chat with Ann, we'll take a look at autofeeders and the questions you need to ask before pursuing this technology on your calf operation. For examples from farms currently using autofeeders, follow the link at the bottom of this page and check out the virtual farm tour from August 2010.

Continual Improvement Top Theme at Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy When you visit Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy in Kewaunee, Wis., one of the first things you’ll probably notice is the pride all employees take in their jobs and their farm – and for good reason. The farm was founded in 1946 by current owner John Pagel’s father. Today,

When a heifer calf is born, you probably think about her potential as a good replacement in the milking herd. What you may not think about is how she will ultimately become a beef animal. Aerica Bjurstrom, University of Wisconsin-Extension agriculture agent in Kewaunee County, said it’s important for producers to keep Dairy Quality Assurance

When a farm decides to send its calves to a custom raiser, it requires a lot of trust from both parties. Clear communication is essential to building that trust. J. Hall of Hall’s Calf Ranch works with more than 16 dairy farms and has about 4,000 calves onsite. With immense experience in calf raising, Hall

By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus Calf Products Coordinator More than a year ago, calf raisers were notified that neomycin/oxytetracycline (NT) regulations for calf milk replacers were going to change. As of Oct. 2, 2010, milk replacers and supplements containing the previously-approved levels of NT had to be eliminated from the feed distribution channel and were

Maaike Verhaar was born in the Netherlands, but moved to the United States 14 years ago. Across the ocean, her family milked 30 cows, but the farm it owns today is a bit different. Today, Verhaar Dairy in Bad Axe, Mich. milks 2,150 with a total herd of 5,000. In about a month, Verhaar will

Dr. Neil Michael comes to Starting Strong with nearly 30 years of experience as a veterinarian specializing in dairy. He currently works as the Director of Dairy Initiatives for Vita Plus. Q:  What makes the ideal maternity facility? A:  Prior to birth, calves are well protected inside the uterus from bacterial, physical and temperature changes.

Raising calves in hutches in the winter can be a challenge, but a couple of simple steps can make it much easier. After a snow fall, walk through your hutches and pick up the front panel. This will keep it from freezing down and make it much easier to remove when it comes time to

 In this edition of the Vita Plus Starting Strong - Calf Chat with Ann, we take a look at winter programs and polish up on the details that can make all the difference and get your calves off to the strongest start possible.

Great Genetics, Great Care, Great Calves A strong focus on calves goes hand-in-hand with a strong focus on genetics. That’s the story at Bomaz Farms in Hammond, Wis. Brothers Bob and Greg Zwald own and operate Bomaz Farms with their wives, Kay and Irma. Bob and Greg’s father started the home farm in 1953 and

What’s become conventional calf feeding isn’t necessarily what’s closest to “natural” calf growth programs. That’s according to Dr. Jim Drackley of the University of Illinois during his presentation at Vita Plus Dairy Summit 2010. Calf feeding programs that are most successful nutritionally mimic cow’s milk.  Drackley introduced the idea of “biologically appropriate nutrition” to Summit

Just like you put on multiple layers of clothing before you head outside in the winter, your calves also need a good way to “bundle up” when it gets cold. What’s more, their “winter outfits” need to be dry and clean to prevent respiratory disease. Here are some quick tips to follow when bedding hutches

By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus Calf Products Coordinator Feeding Colostrum Calves are born without immunity to the various diseases they will be exposed to in the first months of life. Therefore, newborn calves rely on the ingestion of maternal colostrum to achieve passive transfer of immunity. Colostrum provides the calf with immunoglobulins (Ig), also called

 For this edition of Vita Plus Starting Strong - Beyond the Barn, we traveled to Minneapolis, Minn. for Vita Plus Dairy Summit 2010. Nearly 400 producers, industry peers and Vita Plus staff gathered Dec. 8 and 9 to learn about the latest dairy research and practical solutions to take home to their farms.

Q:  What is the best way to get extra energy into my calves in cold weather? Environmental factors can have major effects on the energy requirement of young calves. Newborn calves are particularly vulnerable to temperature changes. The newborn calf has a thermoneutral zone that falls between 55 and 77 degrees F. This means calves

Feeding water in the winter is very important to raising healthy calves. Just remember to save yourself some hassle and dump the water before those pails freeze (within an hour). Dump away from the hutches and pathways where you feed the calves. Ice blocks and ice patches can make moving around the pens and hutches