In the September 1 issue of Progressive Dairyman, we reached out to calf researchers and asked them to share their thoughts on the future of automatic calf feeding. For this issue, we’ve invited company representatives to talk about their automatic calf feeding offerings.

Calf management has become increasingly important for many dairy producers, as scientific evidence suggests that the early stages of a heifer’s development can have long-lasting effects on her future production. As such, more attention has been given to adequate colostrum feeding soon after birth.

As summer fades to a close, take steps to help prevent the costly effects of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Changing weather conditions can create respiratory challenges for calves. Cooling temperatures in fall and big temperature swings between day and night can lead to stress on calves’ immune systems. Colder weather requires closing windows and doors of calf housing, creating an environment at more risk for improper ventilation, minimized air exchange and, potentially, a buildup of BRD-causing pathogens – all contributing to a utopia for BRD infections.

It was a hot sunny day in southern California when I received a phone call to do a field postmortem. I immediately said yes – I like to do those farm visits because they give me a chance to see the surrounding area and to meet local producers and veterinarians.

California’s Cap-And-Trade Regulation took effect on January 1 this year and marks a significant shift in how carbon credits from dairy digester projects built throughout the U.S. will be generated and sold. We are now moving from selling dairy digester credits in a voluntary U.S. carbon market where business entities or organizations purchase carbon credits for corporate sustainability initiatives and general goodwill to a compliance market where large qualified emitters in California such as utilities, refiners and cement producers must meet their emissions reduction obligations or face financial penalties.