When it comes to ensuring the future success of a dairy operation, raising good replacement animals is essential. One of the most crucial steps in this process is colostrum management.

The future of a dairy farmer’s herd is dependent on the health and care calves receive as newborns. Ensuring a strong immune system buildup in the first few weeks of life is imperative to the animal’s longevity and overall herd success.

While there seems to be general agreement on the benefit of having heifers calve at 24 months of age, according to 2014 National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) data, it’s not happening.

The importance of maintaining proper hydration in animals is widely understood; it has been instilled in us as a fundamental component to calf raising and maintaining life. However, oral rehydration electrolyte solutions (ORES) have walked the path of tradition for decades. The World Health Organization recommends salt, sugar, potassium and chloride be components of an ORES. Mix it with water and voila! Seemingly, the only real assessment to gauge the effectiveness of an ORES supplement required simply checking the box next to one question, “Did they drink it?”

To be successful with autofeeders, farms must determine the best settings and feeding program for their operation. Observing calf behavior can help further finesse the program to meet calf needs and farm goals.

From operation to operation, dairy farmers across the nation perform the same duties to ensure their cows are adequately cared for. However, the methods for how those duties are performed may differ from farmer to farmer. The best way to learn alternative methods is through other dairy peers.