An analysis was made from 993 individual calves used in 20 trials published in two U.S. peer-reviewed journals. Results of this analysis were presented at the Joint Annual Meetings of ADSA and ASAS, held recently in Denver, Colorado. Each trial used Holstein calves that were initially 2 to 3 days old and on trial for eight weeks. All calves in these trials were housed and cared for individually in an unheated nursery in Ohio.

Feeding calves to their potential is critical during the first 60 days. Research has shown that the nutrition a calf receives during its first 60 days of life has a lasting impact by affecting both her age at first calving as well as her first-lactation performance. An automatic calf feeder can be a great way to feed calves the nutrition they need to grow and perform to their full potential while providing the proper management and observation needed to raise a healthy herd. Because of increasing interest and use of automatic calf feeders on farms across the country, we purchased our own automatic calf feeding unit two- and-a-half years ago for the purpose of testing the usability and effectiveness of automatic calf feeders.

Most farmers thinking about consistency of performance have focused on the milking herd. How consistent is the milking process? How consistent is the dry cow management program? How consistent is the feed preparation process? What about the heifer program? Is it consistent for developing heifers to calve at an appropriate age? On many farms, heifers are probably the most frequently ignored part of the dairy operation. This is one reason more and more dairies have been turning to custom heifer raisers where someone else will devote specific attention to heifer management. Consistent management practices are very important in developing a high- quality heifer for the future milking string.

The statement “youth are the future of the dairy industry” is often used when referring to our future dairy producers. However, this statement is also very true as it relates to the youngstock, as replacement heifers are the future of the dairy herd. The future profitability of the dairy herd relies on a good supply of well-grown, genetically superior heifers to replace the market cows or to expand the current milking herd. Considerable time and cost is required to develop quality heifers from birth to first calving. The trend of increasing number of cows per farm has prompted many producers to examine the need to provide more labor for the milking herd. This may mean additional work hours per day, increased labor force to handle the extra workload or perhaps recognizing that a custom grower would be able to take over the heifer-raising responsibility. In some instances, a custom grower may be able to raise healthier heifers in a more cost-effective manner. A successful custom heifer-raising arrangement can free up the dairy herd owner to concentrate on other management and labor needs with the milking herd.

When I first feed water to my calves, they drink the water and then won’t drink their milk. This is a very common observation. Some farms do not feed water to calves until they are several weeks old or even older. Then, when water is introduced, there is a tendency for them to drink lots of water. This is accompanied by lack of interest in milk at the next feeding. This is interpreted as support for not feeding water to young calves. “See, I told you so. If I feed water to young calves, they will not drink their milk.” Actually, if water is offered from day two, it is not a novelty to the calf and gorging on water is rare. I admit it is extra work to provide fresh water at least daily for young calves. Then, it’s a bit frustrating when most of them drink such a small volume – often as little as only a cupful daily.

A new model for manipulating vitamin D levels in young calves has been developed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists who say it could help establish just how much of this important nutrient the young animals need to promote optimal growth and health. Newborn dairy calves get crucial Vitamin D in the colostrum from their mothers as they nurse during the first few days after birth. Later, the neonatal calf often receives Vitamin D in commercial milk replacers. But levels of Vitamin D in these supplements may need to be re-evaluated, given recent evidence suggesting Vitamin D status influences not only bone growth, but also immune function.

In many areas of the country it is currently costing between $1,400 to $1,500 to raise a dairy replacement heifer. The average annual culling per replacement rate for these same dairy herds is around 30 percent – almost one-third of the milking herd. Whether a dairy is milking 100 cows or 1,000 cows, herd replacement expenses represent a significant cost of doing business. Along with that, a first-calf heifer spends her first lactation paying for herself – not making you any money. The cost of replacements is typically second only to milk cow feed costs. Sooner or later everything on the farm wears out – including the cows. That’s why an aggressively managed replacement program is so important to the profitability of your dairy. Culling cows from the herd along with attrition through mortality is one of those aspects of dairy farm management that we’d just as soon not have to deal with. We’d rather that the cows would go on milking for many more years than they do. Planning, implementing and managing a replacement program becomes every bit as important as the milking, feeding and reproduction management on your dairy.

Raising healthy replacement heifers takes time, commitment, skill and knowledge. Today’s dairy economy has put a great deal of pressure on the cost of raising heifers. Since replacement heifers produce no daily income until they hit the milking string, viewing heifers purely as cost instead of an investment can set up your dairy for disappointment. The future of your dairy’s profitability lies in the care of whoever has fed, doctored and worked with these females. Whether heifers are raised on-farm or outsourced to custom-raisers, items of consideration for change usually fall within economics and management. Raising dairy females most economically – with the best nutrition – means nothing if their environment impedes growth, health and production. While nutrition costs make up a large portion of raising a replacement heifer, her health, labor and management make up the rest. The key is to focus on the areas that are most influential and make the most impact, and then evaluate if changes are needed.

The management practices and nutritional aspects of your heifer-raising program are essential to the long-term success of your dairy operation. A sound nutrition program – coupled with successful management practices – determines at what age a heifer can enter the milking string and begin generating revenue for your operation. To better understand the importance of a high-quality heifer nutrition and management program for long-term success, we have asked three progressive producers and heifer raisers to share their insights on taking heifer rearing to the next level.

As I travel the West visiting dairies, there is one thing I can say is true: Producers today are much more conscious about their colostrum management programs than in the past. Furthermore, they are always looking for ways to improve their programs. In this article, I will share with you the four most explored colostrum management systems used in the industry today. Collect and freeze The vast majority of Western dairies I visit are collect-and-freeze practitioners. Most farms follow a basic protocol, collecting colostrum from fresh cows (first lactation and higher), usually within 8 to 12 hours, on their regular hospital milking schedule. The colostrum is collected in stainless steel buckets in the parlor through the end of the milking period, which means more often than not, it’s held in the area for up to two hours. It then goes from the buckets into containers for storage.