Calf nutrition and care are paramount to the future success of a dairy operation. However, we often take a straightforward approach – only for growth and development – but do not realize the larger impact it can have on the calves' genetic potential and their ability to be optimal calves that will later become productive milk cows.

Calf hydration isn’t just for hot weather. A year-round plan for feeding water and electrolytes can help calves stay healthy and productive through all seasons and temperatures. Water is key to hydration and for calves, has major effects on starter intake, rumen development and overall health.

An automatic calf feeder is a great tool for many calf programs. As with any piece of equipment, management is a key contributor to the success or failure of your autofeeder.

If the wide array of mycotoxins present in our dairy feed can have such an extreme impact on cow health and production, then we can assume they can also impact the growth, performance and health of calves and heifers.

Over the last few years, producing dairy-beef crossbred calves has not only been talked about more, but it has also become a common production practice for dairy producers across the country.

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.

Maximizing the value of automated calf feeders goes far beyond putting together a feeding plan and pushing calves to the feeder.   Autofeeders can provide helpful insight into daily calf management as well as overall trends of the calf feeding program.