Calves & Heifers

Everyone can use a little less stress in their lives, especially farmers. Fortunately, there are unlimited options to help you relax and de-stress.

After the time and attention that has been invested in raising and breeding heifers, it can be easy to transition heifers to the pregnant pen and put them on autopilot until calving. However, there are some critical things that need to be monitored during this time period to ensure we are on target to meet dairy goals, and that those goals align to being a profitable dairy farm.

In 2015, MGD Farms in Union Grove, Wisconsin, added onto their calf barn to accommodate their growing herd. The 500-cow dairy is co-owned and managed by cousins Myron Daniels and Dave Daniels with help from their now semi-retired partner, Gene Weis.

After growing their milking herd from 300 cows to 500, Myron Daniels, co-owner of MGD Farms in Union Grove, Wisconsin, had too many calves for their 25-pen calf barn.

The value of consistency, doing the little things right every day, these are always good ideas, but even more so in the current dairy climate. Cold weather calf care is a great example of how recommitting to the basics, and consistently doing things right, pays off in improved calf health and down-the-road cow productivity.

No matter the situation, follow these steps to properly tube a calf.