Calves & Heifers
Long-day lighting recommendations for heifers are the same as lactating cows: 16-18 hours of light and 6-8 hours of darkness in the barn.
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The hidden enemy: How oxidative stress impacts dairy calves and what you can do
Awareness of how common calf management practices can induce oxidative stress is the first step in managing for it.
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Calves under the sun: Navigating heat stress challenges
Heat stress can have lifelong negative impacts on calf health and performance. Shade, air flow, the THI chart and electrolytes are all essential tools for mitigating this issue.
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Calf scours prevention begins before birth
Twelve years ago, researchers estimated that a case of scours cost $56 per head, but that number is likely significantly lower than it should be. To minimize this, farms should focus on genetics, dry cow management, colostrum and transition milk.
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Some surprising research results from our calf facility
Increasing milk replacer mixing temperature has a positive impact on calf growth, and feeding IgYs could be a good way to reduce mortality numbers in the calf herd.
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Creating a win-win: Grazing heifers for economic and ecological returns
Grazing heifers in a rotational grazing system not only offers ecological benefits but may also offer cost savings and improve animal health.
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Counter the complexity of scours with a focused effort
While scours is a complex issue, a focused effort to provide calves with adequate antibodies, a clean environment and minimal exposure to older animals can greatly decrease a calf’s chances of falling victim to scours.
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Productive life starts with calves
Early life heavily impacts a calf’s future productivity. Focusing on good colostrum, proper nutrition and facility management is essential for building a profitable future.
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G.I. tract health is key in pneumonia prevention
Probiotics may help with pneumonia prevention, as they aid in keeping the microbiome in balance and preserving calf health.
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Ventilating repurposed structures for calf housing
Existing barns can often be retrofitted into excellent calf housing. However, care must be taken to ensure proper ventilation, pen layout and fresh-air distribution to promote good calf health and performance.
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