How to Reduce Calf Mortality Directly After Calving
Here are a few check points, food for thought! If the calf is not breathing directly after birth, remove as much mucous from the nostril area. Most of us find a piece of straw and tickle the nostril passageway. This usually does the trick. If not, try pouring cold water over the calf’s head to […]
Winterizing Your Calf Area
Facilities and newborn careLets start in the maternity area as that is where the calf’s life begins. Lets provide that calf with clean, deep-bedded straw for the calf to nestle in after birth to prevent loss of heat. The quicker we can get the newborn wet calves dried, the better. With temperatures becoming colder every […]
AdLib Feeding Results
So here I am, in constant turmoil of what and how I should feed calves this winter. So, based on last months blog on AdLib feeding trails, my results are below. Both Control group & Trial group, both were weaned and weighed at 60-65 days. Both received a 13% solid 24/20 Milk Replacer diet – Average Daily […]
My Take on an AdLib Feeding Program
I sure hope you all have enjoyed cooler temperatures the past few days This summer has been like no other. High temps, lots of flies and no time to get all the things done on my list. One of the items I had on this “To Do List” is trying an AdLib feeding program. We […]
Heat Stress in Prenatal Calves
This months blog focuses around continued heat and how it effects the unborn calf. Research continues to show that prenatal stress can affect metabolism of the offspring. This appears to hold true for many different species of animals, including calves. One stress that consistently affects pregnant dairy cows is heat stress. Research has shown that […]
WHY WOULD YOU SELL YOUR COLOSTRUM?
This question of why you would sell your colostrum has always stumped me. For the life of me I can never understand why people would sell their colostrum and buy back powdered colostrum. I understand if you struggle with disease pathogens that it is a great alternative. My thoughts have always been why aren’t you […]
Mycoplasma and Auto Feeders
In my opinion auto feeders have gotten a bad rap over the past years. Illnesses that happen when using an auto feeder suggest that it is a feeder issue when this is the farthest from the truth. It has nothing to do with the feeder, the feeder does what it is asked to do, the […]
Why Would We Need to Test pH in our Whole Milk?
So Why Would We Need to Test pH in our Whole Milk You Ask? The answer is very simple: We need to know the quality of milk that we are feeding our calves. The easiest way to evaluate milk spoilage seems to be estimating the pH of the milk using pH strips or a pH […]
Winter Feeding Strategy Guidelines
Winter Feeding Strategy Guidelines We are still focusing on winter feeding strategies; here are a few guidelines to follow. Dairy heifers account for about 30% of the feed costs on a dairy farm, and the most costly period for raising heifers is during the preweaning period. The animal’s susceptibility to disease is greatest during this period, […]
March 2020 Calf Blog
Acidified Milk And/Or Pasteurized Milk….? SO the question for me this month is Acidified milk and or Pasteurized milk? As group housing or paired housing systems for calves have gained popularity in recent years, interest in acidifying milk systems has also been renewed. This blog describes reasons for acidifying milk or milk replacer and examines […]