Being prepared and having a calving kit can make dealing with dystocia, a calf not wanting to nurse, a cow not producing colostrum or some other situation much easier.

In this article, we will explore a real-world case that illustrates the hazards of improper colostrum handling and provide guidelines for optimizing your colostrum bank to ensure the highest quality colostrum reaches your calves.

Just as expecting parents prepare for the arrival of a new baby, producers embarking on the journey of raising beef-on-dairy calves must understand the unique challenges and joys that come with this endeavor.

When you combine the IgG in colostrum with IgY fed in milk or milk replacer, you can boost the level of antibodies in the calves’ gastrointestinal tract so that they can better resist pathogen challenges during the first few weeks of life.

The FARM Program’s latest Animal Care standards released July 1 reflects current science-based industry standards for cow and calf care and provides best management practices for participants.

This year’s ADSA meeting was a bounty for calf enthusiasts. The conference boasted over 170 calf-focused abstracts from nearly 70 institutions. Here are the overarching themes to take back to the farm, customers or colleagues.