Abundant information and opinions are available on design for cow barns; but there’s much less information available for designing calf barns – especially calf barns with group housing and automatic feeders.

There are many clichés to represent the need for the right tool to do the job. Perhaps the best one that both relates to the subject at hand, as well as in a practical application, is “don’t bring a water pistol to fight a fire.” Oral rehydration electrolyte solutions (ORES) have garnered a reputation as being the water pistol in the fight to correct dehydration.

Calf nutrition and care are paramount to the future success of a dairy operation. However, we often take a straightforward approach – only for growth and development – but do not realize the larger impact it can have on the calves' genetic potential and their ability to be optimal calves that will later become productive milk cows.

Calf hydration isn’t just for hot weather. A year-round plan for feeding water and electrolytes can help calves stay healthy and productive through all seasons and temperatures. Water is key to hydration and for calves, has major effects on starter intake, rumen development and overall health.

There is no doubting that colostrum management is essential in early life to achieve transfer of passive immunity. In fact, if calves achieve passive immunity, they will have a lower risk of developing diarrhea.

An automatic calf feeder is a great tool for many calf programs. As with any piece of equipment, management is a key contributor to the success or failure of your autofeeder. There are several common areas that are overlooked within many calf feeder programs.