Calf & Heifer Nutrition
A calf’s body is 70% water, and water intake is closely tied to rumen development and starter intake. To encourage intake, producers should provide clean water frequently. Providing warm water or water with electrolytes in a bottle may also encourage additional intake.
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Set up for success: 7 tips for getting the most out of your autofeeder
Automatic calf feeders certainly have many pros, but they are still a tool that must be managed properly to be effective. Managing calves correctly, maintaining the machines and feeding them appropriately are key to success.
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Mycotoxins: Not just a dairy cow issue
While some might think mycotoxins don’t affect calves, they can be present in calf starter. Concentrations must stay below 300 parts per billion in calf feed; otherwise, it is toxic.
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Myth busting: Feeding dairy-beef crossbred calves
Raising dairy-beef crossbred calves is becoming an increasingly popular production strategy in dairy. Feeding these calves high levels of nutrition for at least eight weeks sets them up for long-term success.
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5 things to stop doing if you want to get serious about your calf program
While a “good enough” mindset might work in some areas, it does not work in the calf program, where clear protocols are key to achieving excellence.
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6 metrics to manage calves in autofeeder systems
Colostrum, feed plans, consumption, drinking speeds, alarms and overall trends are key things to monitor to capitalize on the data and other insights autofeeders can provide.
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