Management strategy defines the success of calf programs. Calves are challenged from birth with an immature immune system, and at the same time they are programmed to grow quickly. A large part of managing young calves is their feeding program. It is an important first step to ensure that the milk replacer has been formulated with good-quality milk ingredients for optimal digestion and growth. However, other ingredients in the form of additives can also be used as part of the milk replacer program to strengthen calf health and growth.

Like any newborn, calves need to be nurtured early so they can thrive and compete later in life. Her digestive system at birth is designed for milk. She is frequently challenged with digestive sicknesses in her first two weeks of life – followed by respiratory sicknesses in her second and third month of life. Frequently, she is raised in naturally ventilated, unheated or uncooled housing. Often, she is moved from individual housing to large groups of 20 to 100 calves soon after weaning and she needs to be able to compete. Between birth and weaning she must transform her digestive system and nutrient metabolism almost 180 degrees to use dry feeds. This includes developing a functional rumen.

Have you heard of anyone rushing in to become a custom heifer raiser? Didn’t think so. Custom heifer raisers and dairy producers with replacements know there is little wiggle room in heifer raising for profit. Higher milk prices generally don’t help the enterprise. There isn’t a lot of room for improved efficiency on well-run operations.

As producers experience the losses of 2012, I hear many talking about exploring opportunities to maximize their production and be more cost-effective. As we approach the winter season, many question how successful are their calf-raising programs. Raising calves in the winter is always a big challenge, for both the animals and the people who work with them. Now is a good time to evaluate your program. Identifying areas of success as well as areas that need improvement – and what changes and adjustments need to be made – will result in a more successful calf-raising program this winter.

Food, water, shelter, clothes and sleep are all things we take for granted. Without any of these basic things, life itself becomes difficult for us, if not impossible. The basic needs of calves are not much different than ours. Simply put, three basic things are required: an ample supply of draft-free fresh air, a dry comfortable rest area and sufficient food and water to meet their energy requirements. To be successful in ventilating calf barns, we must ensure all three basic needs are covered.

In this new series of articles from Progressive Dairyman, three forward-thinking operations share protocols and lessons learned as well as what’s on the horizon. The first article in this series focuses on calf and heifer raising. Watch your mailboxes in 2013 for future discussions featuring A.I. and breeding decisions, feed and nutrition management and manure handling.