Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the most important management issues on dairy farms and calf ranches. It’s the most common disease in calves more than 30 days old and has long-term effects on the life of the animal.

Commercial milk replacers are often compared and evaluated based on the percentage of protein and fat on the label. Discussion rarely delves into what makes up the components of fat and its effects on digestion, absorption or growth.

Immunity in a healthy and strong calf begins before birth. Producers often focus on the pathogens that create disease in young calves, but the focus needs to shift to a holistic approach in building up immunity through colostrum, nutrition, the calving process, environment and management.

Is your heifer-raising operation a profitable one? How many heifers do you need to support your dairy herd’s turnover rate? Should you consider culling some of your youngstock?

Failure to maintain proper coolant can result in engine overheating, engine cylinder liner cavitation (pitting), water pump failures, corrosion, coolant contamination of the lube system and loss of coolant. Most manufacturers recommend testing annually or at specified hour intervals, such as every 500 hours.