Calves & Heifers

When you hear the word “transition,” do you automatically think of your pre- and post-fresh cows? Most dairymen do, but there’s another important transition group that requires your attention. That group is made up of calves transitioning off milk and onto a diet made up of dry feeds.

Editor’s note: This is the second of two articles about managing the maternity area and newborn calves using a team approach. Click here to read the first article "Putting more 'Ma' in your maternity: The cow's perspective".

Consistency is one of the most important things calves need. They like their diets and schedules to be the same each day. The first step in achieving consistency is ensuring everyone understands calf care procedures and protocols. They should be clearly written, posted and easy to follow.

A calf’s digestive system is a battleground between good and bad bacteria. Nutritional additives can bolster good bacteria or diminish bad bacteria to improve gut health, leading to efficient nutrient digestion.

Have you ever wondered how valuable feeding a high-quality feed was on calf performance and the impact on your cost of production? We assembled a controlled research study to address this practical topic that was recently published in the Journal of Dairy Science.

Probiotics aren’t new to the dairy industry. In fact, they’ve been around for a long time. However, with a recent focus on antibiotic use, there’s a renewed interest in feed additives that support calf health. Probiotics are one option.