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“That’s a lot of expensive feed.” This is a common initial reaction to feeding calves a higher plane of nutrition.
This approach to raising calves incorporates more nutrient-dense milk rations fed at a higher level to meet their needs early in life.
When a calf enters the world, it has no protection from pathogens. Unfortunately, calves are not born into sanitary environments, so the need to fight off these pathogens starts almost immediately.
Calves represent the future of every dairy herd, and delivering proper nutrients during their first critical hours of life is vital to their survival. It’s been well-documented that there are long-term benefits of feeding high-quality colostrum and feeding to a higher plane of nutrition.
Respiratory disease in calves continues to be an issue dairy producers across the country are dealing with.
According to the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) Dairy 2007 study, respiratory disease was the second leading cause of death in unweaned heifers and the single-largest cause of weaned heifer deaths. And, more often than not, poor ventilation is the root cause of the respiratory issue.
