Calves & Heifers

To be successful with autofeeders, farms must determine the best settings and feeding program for their operation. Observing calf behavior can help further finesse the program to meet calf needs and farm goals.

The majority of dairy producers are familiar with coccidiosis – a disease that has the potential to inflict significant economic losses on a dairy operation.

Heat stress is a crucial concern when it comes to lactating dairy cattle, both from a welfare and economic standpoint on our dairy farms. Much research has been conducted to elucidate the effects of heat stress on lactating cows and to develop effective heat abatement strategies.

How do you know if your calf-raising program is producing high-quality, healthy calves that are set up to meet their genetic potential for milk production in the future?

Some say the secret to success lies within, and Dr. Brandon Debbink would agree that statement rings true when it comes to pre-weaned heifer calves.

When are heifers “all grown up?” Not really until at least the end of their first lactation. And cows are not considered mature until around their third lactation. Look at the data in Table 1 from a herd database.