Starting Strong – Calf Care

Effects on Calf Performance Introduction The use of pasteurized waste (i.e., nonsalable) milk as a liquid feed for calves has increased in recent years (NAHMS 2002; NAHMS 2007) due to greater availability of on-farm pasteurizers. Properly pasteurized waste milk can be a high-quality source of nutrients for young calves and is often times thought of

At zero degrees, a 90-pound calf eating one pound of powder or solids daily (equal to one gallon of 12.5 percent solution) can “burn up” its entire body fat reserve (about 3 to 4 percent of body weight) within 18 hours. Bring on the groceries! Calves’ energy intake is the sum of the starter and

From Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus Calf Products Coordinator When winter tosses us a new challenge everyday, it can become difficult just taking care of the basic needs. However, spring can bring its own set of challenges to calf raisers. The warm days, cool nights and lots of moisture in the air can prove to be

From Ted Holthaus, Central Life Sciences If you’re thinking you don’t have to worry about fly control for a few months yet, think again. According to Ted Holthaus, regional manager with Central Life Sciences, now is the time to make plans for fly control on your operation. Not only are flies a nuisance for farm

From Sheila McGuirk, UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine Cold weather may be inconvenient in terms of calf jackets and frozen water, but it is great for limiting the microscopic bugs that make young calves sick. As the spring weather warms up, it’s important for producers to take a look at their calf care protocols and

  From Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus Calf Products Coordinator Hi and welcome to this edition of Starting Strong and Calf Chat. Spring is here, the flowers are in bloom and the calves are as happy as can be as I drive my way across the Midwest. It has been a great spring for calves; dry

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. Q1: Is the incidence of Cocci prominent in pre-weaned calves?  With all the NT changes in milk replacers, we could use help sorting out

When it comes to raising calves, what you know is directly related to who you know. Sandy Keller farms with her family at Kellercrest Registered Holsteins, Inc. in Mt. Horeb, Wis. The Kellers milk 300 cows with a total herd of 600 animals. They also do embryo work and contract bull studs. For the past

From Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus Calf Products Coordinator Providing an excellent housing environment is key to successfully raising healthy calves. Research has shown calves spend 73 to 81 percent of their time lying down in daylight hours and almost 100 percent at night if not disturbed. This makes the resting surface and space crucial to

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

Farm Calf Source: Raising Calves Is What We Do Imagine 55 rows of calf hutches with 60 hutches in each row. If you’re standing on a hilltop overlooking Calf Source in DePere, Wis., that’s exactly what you’ll see. This dairy calf ranch is home to 8,000 calves under 180 days of age. They arrive from

From Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus Calf Products Coordinator Hi and welcome to this edition of Starting Strong and Calf Chat. It has been quite the kick-off to summer with lots of rain and hot, humid days.  This sure does throw a wrench into raising calves.  To help to combat Mother Nature, make sure you are

From Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus Calf Products Coordinator Hi and welcome to this edition of Starting Strong and Calf Chat. It has been quite the kick-off to summer with lots of rain and hot, humid days.  This sure does throw a wrench into raising calves.  To help to combat Mother Nature, make sure you are

Installing an Automatic Milk Replacer Feeder In February of 2009, Lisa and Steve Groetsch were the first in the United States to install a Lely automatic combi feeder to feed their calves. Now they say there’s no way they’ll ever turn back. Groetsch Dairy in Albany, Minn. is a family farm. The Groetsches milk 180

Are you still in the process of learning how the NT milk replacer changes affect your operation?  Check out our answers to these frequently asked questions. Consult your local Vita Plus representative or dealer for help in determining the most desirable approach for dealing with the changes. What are the major changes to the regulations