Starting Strong – Calf Care

By Dr. Kendra Wells, Valley Veterinary Clinic
Diagnosing pneumonia can be difficult because most cases are subclinical. However, using an ultrasound can help view lung lesions and lead to an effective monitoring program.

By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator
It is critical for calves to receive milk between 100 and 105 degrees F, but this can be challenging during the winter. Try any of these seven ways to keep milk warm before you feed it.

As you walk through the calf-raising facilities at Ruedinger Farms, Inc. in Van Dyne, Wisconsin, you notice calf care protocols clearly written and posted in each building. This is just one of the tools the team uses to consistently raise quality replacement heifers.

In this edition of Calf Chat, Dr. Noah Litherland discusses three benchmarks for successful calf raising and why they matter.

In this edition of A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser, Heidi Fischer of Fischer-Clark Dairy Farm Inc. discusses her methods to keep calf records and equipment organized. 

By Dr. Jenn Rowntree, Vita Plus calf and heifer specialist
Colostrum is one of the best ways to ensure adequate transfer of immunity from the dam to the calf. However, when a calf doesn't receive enough immune protection, it can be vulnerable to health challenges.

By Dr. Melissa Haag, Lodi Veterinary Clinic
Ensuring a smooth and healthy pregnancy for the calf and its mother is important, but it is also important to do the same for pregnant female farm workers. Here are four ways to accommodate a safe human pregnancy on the farm.

By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator
Moving transition calves can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. These four steps can help make the job much easier and safer for everyone involved. Pictures included.

By Dr. Jennifer Van Os, University of Wisconsin-Madison animal welfare extension specialist
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers and extension educators are seeking U.S. dairy producers or calf raisers, along with bovine veterinary practitioners, to participate in an online survey as part of a study on animal care practices for preweaned dairy calves. Participating producers can choose to enter a random drawing to win a refractometer and $100 Vita Plus gift voucher or other prize. 

Stacy Jauquet owns and operates Jauquet's Hillview Dairy LLC in Luxemburg, Wisconsin, with her husband, Dave. The team knows what it takes to raise healthy calves, and that's why Stacy is proud to work alongside her calf team to train them on her expectations for excellent calf care.

In this edition of Calf Chat, Ann Hoskins talks with Dr. Jennifer Van Os, University of Wisconsin-Madison assistant professor and extension specialist in animal welfare, and Kim Reuscher, a dairy science graduate student, about current research projects involving calf hutches and ventilation.  One quick and affordable option for improving hutch ventilation is to install Calf-Tel's calf hutch vent covers, as shown in the video.

Mikayla Bullman, the Fischer-Clark Dairy Farm Inc. calf feeder, discusses the farm's calf feeding procedures and takes us along with her as she feeds calves.

By Dr. Jenn Rowntree, Vita Plus calf and heifer specialist
Pre- and probiotics are now fairly common in the livestock industry. To gain a better understanding of these feed additives, we answered five common questions for you.

By Dr. Lindley Reilly, Cedar Grove Veterinary Services
Have you ever wished you could read your veterinarian's mind? You can start here with the five things veterinarians wished you knew about them.

By Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist
For a smooth transition from the maternity pen to the nursery, make sure your calf-moving equipment has these four key attributes. Pictures included.

The chore list on a dairy farm is seemingly endless and everchanging, yet cows and calves do best with consistent care. The team at Dolph Dairy LLC in Lake Mills, Wisconsin has designed a system that gives each fresh cow, newborn, and preweaned calf the attention and consistency needed to thrive.