Calves & Heifers

Calves are future producers in a dairy farm, and many studies demonstrate the animal’s health and growth in early life influence its future productivity. The impacts of both pre- and post-natal heat stress on pre-weaning calves need to be recognized because they significantly influence calves’ growth, health and future performance.

Understanding the basic principles of calf barn ventilation is essential in evaluating the many different ventilation options available today. There is no single ventilation system that will work for every situation because each calf barn is unique in its structure and layout.

The best way to save on calf starter without sacrificing growth and performance is to limit waste. These seven steps can help you save money on calf starter.

For decades, scours has been on record as the most common cause of death for preweaned dairy calves. Beyond the economic loss from death, scours increases treatment and labor costs, and reduces growth rates, thus affecting future production.

The more we learn about the birth process and what happens when calves enter the world, the more we realize how critical those first moments of life are.

Mother Nature does an excellent job of transitioning calves for life outside the womb.

Heifer raising is a major expense for the U.S. dairy industry, accounting for 15 to 20 percent of the total cost of milk production. Respiratory disease will significantly increase that cost, at up to $16.35 per pre-weaned calf and $2.22 for a weaned calf.