Calves & Heifers
Not all employees, even good ones, are right for the calf program. Carefully evaluate new employees and current ones to see if they’re the right fit and possess the skillset needed for proper calf care.
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Leave the needle in the haystack: Rehydrate with an oral electrolyte
Scours causes 60% of pre-weaned calf deaths. Knowing how to correctly rehydrate a dehydrated calf and which product is necessary in each situation is essential to minimizing calf mortality.
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Calf gut health and IgY antibodies
While IgGs might be the star of the show in colostrum, supplementing with IgYs could aid in lining the gut, adding an extra layer of defense through the first weeks of a calf’s life.
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Supporting a dairy calf’s microbiome for a strong immune system
Early life management affects a calf’s health and productivity, not only short-term but throughout its entire life. To help ensure success, farms should focus on nutrition, microbiome, immunity and gut integrity.
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Getting calves to drink water is a yearlong pursuit
A calf’s body is 70% water, and water intake is closely tied to rumen development and starter intake. To encourage intake, producers should provide clean water frequently. Providing warm water or water with electrolytes in a bottle may also encourage additional intake.
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Colostrum for calves with diarrhea? Exploring the potential of colostrum as an additional therapy
Calves with diarrhea could benefit from colostrum supplementation. Recent research shows that eight feedings over four days could reduce the disease to 2.75 days.
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Set up for success: 7 tips for getting the most out of your autofeeder
Automatic calf feeders certainly have many pros, but they are still a tool that must be managed properly to be effective. Managing calves correctly, maintaining the machines and feeding them appropriately are key to success.
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Colostrum can help control BRD: Build immunity early in replacement heifers
Controlling BRD is essential for raising healthy calves, but to do so producers and employees need to do a few key things: Know the signs of BRD, provide good-quality colostrum and vaccinate against it.
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Mycotoxins: Not just a dairy cow issue
While some might think mycotoxins don’t affect calves, they can be present in calf starter. Concentrations must stay below 300 parts per billion in calf feed; otherwise, it is toxic.
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