Lean into your consultants and fellow producers to troubleshoot and come up with solutions. Every operation is unique and will require unique solutions that work for your employees, facilities and budget.

The early days of a calf’s life can be perilous. With limited immune function of their own, they are reliant on the protection provided by maternal colostrum. That protection goes beyond antibodies (immunoglobulins or IgG) and remains an area of active research.

Just as solid structural pillars form a strong foundation for the barn, these seven pillars of calf raising are powerful steps to help build a solid foundation for the future milking herd.

A calf’s gut is a blank slate at birth, but bacterial microbes quickly establish themselves within the first weeks of life. During this narrow window, the calf’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract is rapidly colonized by bacteria from equipment, colostrum and bedding – both beneficial as well as harmful.

Recent research has shown the epigenetic influences of colostrum feeding practices on the long-term productivity and health of dairy cows. This article delves into the importance of timely colostrum feeding and its epigenetic impacts, providing insights for dairy farmers and dairy consultants.

Through our experience of working with numerous dairies to troubleshoot early calf health challenges, we’ve identified several critical, nonnegotiable colostrum management practices.

What’s normal for beef cattle? The pastoral scene is common in many beef cattle systems in the eastern U.S. Calving occurs outdoors, where the air is fresh and the environment is clean. What is the message for dairy, and can we do better? What are the focus areas we should consider?