The University of Guelph has just completed the data collection phase of a large study designed to increase understanding of clinical and subclinical pneumonia and its long-term effects in dairy calves through the use of ultrasonography. This study comes as a follow-up to a pilot project in which roughly 14 percent of calves with pneumonia showed minimal or no signs of illness (like the calf pictured at right). Unfortunately, identifying cases of subclinical pneumonia and measuring its effects are impossible without tools that specifically detect consolidated, pneumonic lung – such as ultrasonography.

Even though the snow and ice may have mostly melted, we can’t forget that calves can experience cold stress at temperatures well above freezing and, therefore, will be susceptible to cold stress for months to come.

Calf raising is a unique enterprise (some would say art). Rearing calves requires specialized knowledge, great attention to detail and a good amount of patience. Many dairy farmers consider raising heifers to be a “necessary evil” and would prefer not to raise heifers if they could run their dairy without the calf enterprise. Indeed, the development of specialized calf raisers is a testament to the idea of success through specialization.

Although the dairy industry has struggled for several years, there are still those who pursue a life on the farm and try to find a balance in running a successful dairy business. Seth and Kaia Darling are no different. They currently raise 575 dairy heifers on their farm near Round Lake, Minnesota.

In downtown New York City, men in business suits talk about cows. Actually, they even talk about killing cows – the sacred cows in their businesses. These figurative sacred cows are things that have been immune to criticism and need to be culled. In the real dairy world, one of the sacred cows is, oddly, the heifer.

Like young humans, calves are more susceptible to bacterial infections than their adult counterparts. And just as you wouldn’t serve your children’s dinner on a dirty plate or allow them to sleep in dirty beds, it’s important for calf-feeding operations to ensure that proper sanitation methods are in place to prevent calves from being exposed to potentially harmful contaminants in their food or bedding.