Colostrum serves as more than just the first feeding; it is the cornerstone of the calf's health and development. Addressing the challenges in harvesting and feeding colostrum requires a multifaceted approach, combining quality control, nutritional strategies and management practices to ensure calves receive the best possible start in life.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the leading health concerns impacting heifer calves, even on the best-managed dairies. These calves are the future of a dairy operation, and well-prepared farm care teams can ensure BRD is managed effectively for long-term success.

Seeing beef cow-calf pairs on pasture caused me to consider how we have raised dairy calves. Granted, most of our commercial dairy management systems don’t allow this kind of environment for the cow and her newborn calf, but what can be done to make our systems better?

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Bethany Dado-Senn of Vita Plus joins host Matti McBride to discuss calf care. Learn from Dado-Senn as she discusses the importance of colostrum quality and management, general sanitation, calf management in the winter months, the benefits of pair housing calves and more.

For many years, the calf hutch has been considered the “gold” standard. Is it time to reevaluate this standard? Let’s consider the benefits and challenges of the calf hutch system compared to other alternatives.

Not all milk replacers are the same. Sure, they differ by protein source, level of protein/fat and any medications or additives included. But milk replacers also differ on how well they support gut health and protect overall calf health. While you probably have a favorite milk replacer, new research shows that adding IgY, the avian equivalent of IgG (immunoglobulin G found in colostrum), can make a good milk replacer even better.