Calves & Heifers
Extended colostrum and transition milk feeding: Pros, cons and implementation
While the initial colostrum feeding is still essential, feeding colostrum or transition milk for multiple days can help protect calves during their most vulnerable stage, resulting in fewer sick calves and better development.
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7 tips for designing the right calf barn
Just like cow barns, calf barn design matters. Ventilation, space, layout and cleanliness are all key to successfully raising calves in a barn.
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Meeting dairy welfare standards: Good for your animals and good for the dairy aisle
Thorough written protocols and implementing best animal care practices are important to improving farm management. Not only can this elevate animal care, it can also ensure farm staff know how to handle important situations.
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Setting calves up for a long-term, successful immune system
Setting up a calf’s immune system from the beginning impacts both her short-term and long-term health. This includes vaccinating dry cows, ensuring passive transfer and developing vaccination and immunostimulant protocols that align with the farm’s heifer-raising goals.
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Choosing the best employees to work with calves: It’s not for everyone
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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