Transition and reproduction

As calves begin the weaning process and transition from milk to solid feed as their sole source of nutrition, producers may observe stalled growth and deteriorating health performance. The reasons for this are often due to one or a combination of the following factors: poor health in early life, poor rumen development and stressful changes.

Maternity has a direct impact on both the present and future state of the herd.  A properly executed maternity game plan promotes successful transition into lactation for the dam, and establishes the start of the nursery phase for the daughter. Progressive dairy farmers realize the economic impact of maternity and commit staff and resources to consistently achieve success.

By Lucas Mitchell, Ph.D. | “What age should calves be weaned off milk or milk replacer and how should that process look?” The answer - albeit an unsatisfying one - is that it depends. These steps contain key considerations that will help ensure a successful weaning strategy for your farm.

By Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy technical specialist
Neonatal programming is the effect of maternal nutrition, environment, physiology and stress on the calf during gestation.  Performance in early life is largely impacted by the management and nutrition decisions made during the first hours and weeks of life.  An opportunity exists to modify the performance of calves before birth. 

In this edition of A Day in the Life of a Calf Raiser, Jill Houin discusses the Homestead Dairy, LLC maternity protocols and how they give the calves a successful start to life.

By Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist
Ideally, the weaning process results in minimal disruptions in nutrient supply to the calf and, in turn, accelerates grain intake.  Weaning age, starter intake at the onset of weaning, and weaning strategy are all components of a smooth transition into to the grower phase.

By Dr. Keith Poulsen, University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
While most of us want to know why all abortions happen, this article focuses on when you should have a diagnostic work-up done, what you can learn from them, and how you can apply it to dairy herd management.

By Dr. Lucas Mitchell, Vita Plus calf and heifer specialist
Many calf growers do a great job tracking preweaned calf growth, however, this tends to go by the wayside after weaning. These "forgotten months" could potentially lead to some disappointing heifers when it comes time for breeding.

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. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock technical specialist
Successful maternity programs directly impact the present and future state of the herd. These pre- and post-calving protocols have effectively improved cow and calf health.

​By Dr. Jenn Rowntree, Vita Plus calf and heifer specialist
Building a functional rumen is important for a calf to be a successful producer later in life. In addition to offering starter grain and water, here are several other guidelines to ensure proper rumen development preweaning.

In this edition of Calf Chat, Ann Hoskins walks transition heifers with Shawn Miller, Pagel's Ponderosa Dairy calf manager, and shares the steps his team takes when transition calves get sick.

By Cody Yanzick and Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus
The transition period is often the first time calves are grouped with others. Limiting stress during this period can offer some of the greatest dividends, in terms of health and performance, as heifers enter the milking herd.

By Dr. Noah Litherland, Vita Plus dairy youngstock specialist
Environment can have a significant impact on an animal's performance, including effects on gestation length and subsequent calf performance.

By Peggy Coffeen, Progressive Dairyman
Four common misconceptions exist when we think about prefresh heifers.  Hoffman addressed these misconceptions and challenged producers to dig deeper into these beliefs in order to better understand the unique needs of these animals.