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Most people like consistency in life and work. Consistency should be a major goal in how we feed our baby calves. Here we will discuss how feeding consistently can improve your calf-rearing program.
In a study we published in the Professional Animal Science Journal, calves were fed a low-fat milk replacer (17 percent fat) more typical of the industry and a high-fat milk replacer (30 percent fat) more typical of cow’s milk at an average rate of 1.5 pounds of solids daily.
Dairy calves are extremely susceptible to gastrointestinal disease during the pre-weaned period. The risk for enteric disease decreases as the calf ages.
When a calf is born, it has been exposed to very few if any micro-organisms, and some aspects of its gastrointestinal immune system are not fully developed.
Recent research by Cornell University is taking a fresh look at the first 60 days of the calf’s life. The focus of the research is on perinatal programming, or what happens after birth that determines the ability of a calf to achieve its genetic potential for growth and production. The research has concentrated on three areas:
How much does dealing with manure cost you? Many dairy producers can’t answer that question, and seldom do producers consider their manure management costs per hundredweight (cwt) of milk like they do with their other costs.
When removing manure from a storage pit, it typically must be agitated to minimize solids accumulation and create a uniform fertilizer for field application. However, the act of agitation can destroy certain storage liners if its features aren’t taken into consideration.
I have lived long enough to have traveled down life’s road, to be able to look back and say, “I know how to avoid the dead ends, the dangerous detours and the shortcuts that turn into superhighways to nowhere.”
While generally not considered part of your equipment line, your cattle-handling facilities are one of your most useful and profitable tools if constructed properly.
Safety in the handling of cattle translates into not only fewer injuries to the handler but fewer injuries to the animals as well. While high cattle prices drive home the price of mishandling animals, the fact is: Safe and smooth cattle handling always pays dividends.
Dear Editor,
The National Dairy Producers Organization Inc. (NDPO) is the only national dairy farmer organization comprised entirely of dairy farmers with the goal of dairy farmer-sustainable profitability. Today, dairy farmer-owned processing co-ops claim to control more than 80 percent of the milk produced on our nation’s dairy farms.
Summer has arrived, and with it comes heat and humidity. Now is the time to prepare your heat stress and fly control measures. Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine whether or not you are ready for this summer’s heat:
