The 2013-2014 winter season is shaping up to be a rough one for much of the U.S., with the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicting below-normal temperatures and above-normal snowfall for much of the U.S.
On the plus side, the additional precipitation should help to alleviate drought conditions that have plagued many farmers for the past few years.
However, all of this cold weather means a little extra TLC is needed for calves. Luckily, this issue has you covered with plenty of tips for helping your youngstock thrive this winter.
Author Curt Cupp provides handy advice for meeting caloric needs in his article . But Mark Hill points out that it is possible to go overboard on milk replacer, noting that much research indicates that more milk replacer solids don’t necessarily improve immunity. Housing and management trumps nutrition, he says. Read more here .
Clean bedding – ideally long, dry straw – and proper ventilation, such as that obtained through the popular positive-pressure ventilation systems featured here , should be a priority.
These are all things that the Winch brothers of Fennimore, Wisconsin, already know about caring for calves. Check out their new lyrics below to “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” in a video they uploaded to the Proud to Dairy network right before Christmas.
Oh, the weather outside is frightful
I’ve got 24 calves to feed full
As long as I feed them more,
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
It doesn’t show signs of stopping,
And I’ve brought some milk for mixing
As long as I feed them more,
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
They finally drink all right
How I’ll hate going out in the storm
But they really need fed tonight
But with some straw, they’ll be warm
The sun is finally shining
And my calves are still drinking
As long as I feed them more,
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
Be sure to check out the video at the Proud to Dairy website , and while you’re there, visit our compilation of “12 photos of calves that don’t even know how cute they are.” PD
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Emily Caldwell
- East Coast Editor
- Progressive Dairyman
- Email Caldwell
