Would it surprise you that a critical difference between success and failure in raising calves is the attitude of the people taking care of the calves? How we view the calves and how we view our time are critical to success of the calf operation because they impact calf performance.

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.

Healthy calves and a successful group of youngstock teammates (employees) can set the tone for morale across the entire dairy.

We have gained tremendous momentum in dairy calf nutrition research, with publications tripling over the last 20 years. And rightfully so, since dairy calves are the future of the milking herd, and how they are fed and managed during early life influences their future reproductive efficiency, capacity for milk production and health.

A newborn calf is the most vulnerable animal on a dairy. Born with an immature immune system, the calf can’t effectively handle pathogen challenges in the environment until 3 to 4 weeks old. In the meantime, young calves are bombarded with a host of stressors and disease-causing pathogens.