
Dusting off calf jackets for the cold winter ahead
It’s time to dust off your calf jackets in preparation for the colder weather. The following are some important reminders for your staff about calf jacket usage, as well as some timely preparedness tips before jacket season starts in full force.
Calf jacket basics
Calf jackets are designed to support the calf’s core body temperature when ambient temperatures drop below its thermoneutral zone. Calf jackets are very effective, especially when paired with dry, ample bedding. To maximize effectiveness, it’s important to remember these five key tips:
- Newborn calves should be fully dry before putting on a calf jacket.
- When first putting on the jacket, adjust it to fit the calf comfortably. If too tight, the calf will grow and become uncomfortable. If too loose, the jacket may fall off and get wet.
- Jackets are best suited for calves between birth to approximately three weeks of age.
- If choosing to keep jackets on longer than three weeks, remember to adjust the jackets as calves grow and remove jackets at least one week before weaning so calves can acclimate.
- Start using jackets when the daily low and high temperatures added together are less than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, if I add a daily low temperature of 31 degrees to a daily high temperature of 50 degrees, it equals 81 degrees Fahrenheit. This rule of thumb says young calves should have calf jackets today.
Now is the time to take stock of your jacket situation and make any necessary changes to your inventory.
Jacket type
Buckles or Velcro®? Double-insulated canvas or wool? Asking a farmer to pick their favorite jacket style is like asking them to pick their favorite brand of tractor – the answers will be passionate and variable. Either style can be effective.
I conducted a side-by-side “field test” of a double-insulated, buckled jacket versus a wool, Velcro jacket by insulating jugs of warm water with each. After sitting outdoors for 30 minutes, the water inside each jug was still warm and approximately the same temperature. When selecting a jacket style, it essentially comes down to user preference.
Jacket supply
Have you ever found yourself scrounging at the bottom of your storage bin, searching for a jacket for the latest newborn? Chances are you have a stockpile of jackets on hand but haven’t calculated your total needed. Here’s a simple equation that can help decide inventory:
(# of heifer calves born per week X # of weeks with a jacket) + (# of bull calves born/week X # weeks with a jacket) X 1.1 (for some “wiggle room”)
For instance, if on average you have five heifer calves and five bull calves born per week, and you keep jackets on the heifers for four weeks and sell the bulls once a week, you would need 28 jackets. The table below does the math for you, assuming you keep jackets on heifer calves for four weeks and on bull calves for one week before they are sold.
Jacket quality
When assessing your inventory, it is also important to review jacket wear-and-tear. Set aside any jackets with ripped seams, missing or torn buckles, or clogged Velcro. Decide which jackets you are able and willing to salvage, and which jackets need to be replaced. As winter continues, develop a plan for how you would like to clean and maintain your jackets.
A few handy hacks for jacket maintenance I’ve heard include:
- Power-washing jackets before putting in the washer
- Hang to dry versus using a dryer
- Fasten all clips or Velcro before washing
- Invest in a Velcro cleaner
When the first snow day hits, the last thing you want to worry about is placing an order for more calf jackets. By planning ahead, you give yourself peace of mind that your calves will stay comfortable with one less hassle on your end. Your Vita Plus calf specialist can help you create a practical and effective calf jacket strategy suited for your operation.
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