Since calves are the animals most vulnerable and sensitive to change on a dairy, transitions are critical for calves. Just because they are weaned does not mean calves are now home-free without issues. In fact, the month after weaning is really a transition period for calves.

We weaned our calves in October. It’s a transition period for the farm, a literal metamorphism as the juvenile animals prove themselves to be an independent entity. They were weaned, branded and weighed, and they entered the record as the baseline of our future herd. We are always hopeful that these animals will thrive, but like anything, there is no guarantee no matter how well we attempt to manage the variables.

Dairy herds are looking for every advantage they can find these days. Diversifying into the beef market is one such avenue that offers multiple options to choose from.