For many of us, fly season is right around the corner. So it’s back to the routine of fly baits, traps, sprays and fly predators. Combine that with renewed efforts with calf bedding, mowing, feed management, sanitation and clean-up. Whew!… Continue Reading
~With downloadable energy calculator. Energy intake becomes a big concern during cold weather. As environmental temperatures change so does a calf’s need for energy. The graph below shows how a calf’s body heat production relates to temperature changes in its… Continue Reading
~ updated Aug 9, 2017. Milk replacer feeding rates have received much attention over the past several years. Calves grow bigger in a shorter period of time mainly due to consumption of more milk or milk replacer. This changes the… Continue Reading
~ updated Jan 15, 2015. Most operations that feed waste milk to calves use milk extenders or supplements to enhance their supply of whole milk, at least periodically. Their waste milk supply could be limited or they may have a desired… Continue Reading
This is a seasonal reminder about the importance of effective fly control in calf management. Actually, with the warm weather many of us have experienced so early this year, flies may already be a nuisance. When it comes to calves,… Continue Reading
~updated August 10, 2017. On a recent trip to Torreon, Mexico I came across a two day old calf whose showed a rapid shallow breathing pattern. It was still early in the day so environmental temperature wasn’t a factor. As… Continue Reading
If I were to pick the conversation I have most often with calf raisers, it would be about feeding electrolytes: how much and how often to feed oral electrolytes to scouring calves. Confusion often arises when trying to apply package… Continue Reading
~ updated August 10, 2017. Bottle feeding vs. pail feeding of calves is always an interesting and sometimes passionate subject. There are advantages to either feeding system, and I have personally been in both camps. This article is based on research… Continue Reading
Here’s a shout-out to all of the competitors, coaches, organizers, volunteers and sponsors whose efforts made the 25th Junior Dairy Management Contest at All-American Dairy Show such a success! Teams from Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, New Jersey and Delaware recently arrived… Continue Reading
Well, that depends… Certainly there are formulation differences among manufacturers that contribute to differences in nipple life. For example, each brand of calf nipple has a hardness characteristic that affects its performance. Put simply, the softer the nipple, the easier… Continue Reading