It is often assumed that because Jersey cows have higher fat content in their milk, milk replacers for Jersey calves also need to be higher in fat. However, this has not been confirmed, as research in Jersey calves is limited.

Raising replacement heifers is the second-greatest cost on a dairy farm, and these animals will dictate the future success of the enterprise. To ensure future productive success, many considerations should be evaluated in terms of the liquid diet fed to young pre-weaned calves, especially when the liquid diet consists of whole or waste milk.

The crude protein (CP) concentrations and sources used in calf starters and growers are frequently questioned and debated today. Thirty-five (or more) years ago when the understanding of rumen-degradable and undegradable protein was developing, many nutritionists started adding sources of undegradable protein to calf starters and growers, beginning this discussion.

Fat is an energy-dense nutrient that is high in calf milk replacers. In North America, most of the fat in a milk replacer is from lard or tallow. Little comes from the milk ingredients as milkfat garners a higher price in the human food market than a calf feed market. The typical milk replacer fed in North America is 20 to 22 percent crude protein (CP) and 20 percent fat.

There has been a lot written about how feeding more milk replacer will improve the immune system and health of baby calves. Several laboratories have compared feeding calves conventional milk replacers at approximately 1 pound of solids daily to higher levels of nutrition. Higher levels of nutrition were frequently milk replacers that are approximately 28 percent protein fed at approximately 2 pounds of solids daily.

Everything in calf nutrition is debated these days. How much milk or milk replacer should be fed? Is pasteurized milk better than milk replacer? When is the best time to wean calves? Should starters be textured or pelleted? What approved drug should be included, if any? Should hay be fed?

A recent USDA survey reported that few custom calf raisers feed calves the large amounts of milk or milk replacer common with intensive feeding programs. Most custom calf raisers are feeding approximately one gallon per calf daily. Many want to know: Why?

Like any newborn, calves need to be nurtured early so they can thrive and compete later in life. Her digestive system at birth is designed for milk. She is frequently challenged with digestive sicknesses in her first two weeks of life – followed by respiratory sicknesses in her second and third month of life. Frequently, she is raised in naturally ventilated, unheated or uncooled housing. Often, she is moved from individual housing to large groups of 20 to 100 calves soon after weaning and she needs to be able to compete. Between birth and weaning she must transform her digestive system and nutrient metabolism almost 180 degrees to use dry feeds. This includes developing a functional rumen.

Heat abatement strategies during hot weather include water, fans, shade and elevation of hutches.