Setting the growth curve with increased nursery calf feeding precision

Editor’s note: This article is excerpted from a presentation during a Vita Plus Growing the Modern Calf workshop on March 27, 2026.

When I think about precision feeding in nursery calves, it means different things depending on your perspective. For some, it’s accurate weights and measurements; for others, it’s controlling feed costs, improving calf health or simply using your time more efficiently. But precision is about understanding where your calves are today, where you want them to go and how consistently you can get them there.

Unlike lactating cows, where data flows constantly — milk weights, components, activity — calf systems require intentional effort to collect meaningful information. If we want to improve calf performance, we must measure it. That starts with understanding growth, intake and the factors that drive both.

I tend to think about four major drivers of calf growth. First is dry matter intake. For calves, this is a combination of milk and starter grain, and the relationship between the two is critical. Milk sets the early growth curve, supports health and fuels initial development. Starter intake, later in the nursery phase, is what prepares the calf for life post-weaning and drives rumen development.

Second is time on feed. This is one of the most underestimated factors. A calf at 56 days is different from a calf at 80 days. That extra time translates into real differences in physiological maturity, intake capacity and overall robustness. It’s the difference between a sophomore and a senior — you can’t shortcut maturity.

Third is inflammation control. Any stressor — disease challenge, poor environment, inconsistent feeding — diverts nutrients away from growth and toward immune function. That directly impacts intake, efficiency and average daily gain.

And fourth is comfort. If calves are not comfortable, they won’t use nutrients efficiently. Environment, bedding, temperature and consistency in care all matter.

From a feeding standpoint, consistency is one of the most powerful tools we have. Calves recognize routines. They respond to people, feeding patterns and even how milk is delivered. When those routines change, intake and performance can suffer. It’s not just what we feed — it’s how we feed.

Milk feeding programs should match the size and capability of the calf. Feeding too aggressively early on can overwhelm smaller calves, especially those born lighter or a bit early. When calves don’t finish their milk, it’s a signal — either volume is too high or something is compromising intake, such as inflammation. Gradual weaning is equally important. Abrupt changes can disrupt intake patterns and increase health risk. Managing the transition off milk, while encouraging starter intake, takes planning and attention to detail.

Milk quality and delivery also matter. Temperature plays a role in digestion — warmer milk promotes proper function and allows milk to bypass the rumen and enter the abomasum, where it should be digested. Even seemingly small variations in mixing or feeding can influence outcomes.

As we look toward the future, precision technologies are becoming increasingly valuable. Automated feeders already provide data on drinking speed, intake and visit patterns. These tools allow us to identify problems before they become visible — calves often reduce intake days before showing clinical signs of disease. That shift from reactive to proactive management is where precision feeding really begins to pay off.

Starter grain intake is another critical piece of the puzzle. Early in life, calves consume very little grain — that’s normal. Intake gradually builds, especially as milk is reduced. But peak starter intake before transition is one of the most important benchmarks we have. If calves are not consuming enough starter, weaning becomes more stressful, growth slows and health challenges often follow.

Growth, ultimately, tells the full story. Average daily gain isn’t just a single number — it’s a curve that changes over time. Periods where growth stalls or declines often point directly to underlying issues such as disease, poor intake or management disruptions. By identifying and eliminating those “flat spots,” we can achieve more consistent, efficient growth.