You continually measure and review the performance of your lactating cow herd, but are you doing the same for your calves and heifers?

The Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) released the updated version of the association’s Gold Standards for raising quality heifers on the first day of World Dairy Expo 2016. Dr. Bob James, DCHA academia-at-large director, says he’s excited about the new standards and feels this version is much more science-based than the original standards, which were released in 2009.

In the current economic state of the industry, there is an understandable need to hunker down and tread water until milk prices and margins start trending in a positive direction.

From the perspective of an A.I. company, the strategic breeding and genetic decisions you make today have a huge impact on the profitability and bottom line of your future milking herd. However, it’s important to remember that the only way to realize the maximum benefits and effects of the genetics you use is to maintain top-notch, progressive, strategic management practices.

When Robert Gervais, founder of Gervais Family Farm in Bakersfield, Vermont, bought the original farm in 1960, his wife, Gisele, was seven months pregnant and he had to borrow $10 for the lawyer’s fee and a down payment on the then-220-acre, 35-cow tiestall dairy.

While sexed semen is often cited as the reason for the increased number of available dairy replacement heifers, another factor is helping create a larger pool of next-generation milk producers: U.S. dairy farmers are doing a better job keeping heifer calves alive and getting them off to a healthy start.

The latest USDA National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) study results show dairy producers are doing a better job of colostrum management (see related story NAHMS Diary 2014: Producers making progress on pre-weaned calf management).

The virtues of colostrum in successful calf raising cannot be overemphasized. This “liquid gold” not only delivers critical immune protection but also provides specialized nutrients, energy, fluid and warmth to newborn calves.

Feeding calves is much more than what is in the pail or bottle. The way milk, water and starter are delivered can play just as big of a role in the health and performance of the calf.

In just a few months, the use of medically important feed-grade antibiotics on your dairy will require veterinarian authorization. When the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) takes effect on Jan. 1, 2017, the classification of these medications will change from over-the-counter status to VFD designation.