Drew A. Vermeire

Wanted: Producers needed to care for 450,000 free calves

Calf mortality due to scours costs the American dairy industry between $270 million and $483 million per year. Focusing on proper newborn care and transportation is key to reclaiming these free calves.

June 3, 2025

Drew A. Vermeire

More than 10 million calves have been given away since 1996, and free calves are currently available nationwide. You see, these “free calves” have already been bought and paid for but die every year due to scours.

Some surprising research results from our calf facility

Increasing milk replacer mixing temperature has a positive impact on calf growth, and feeding IgYs could be a good way to reduce mortality numbers in the calf herd.

March 29, 2024

Drew A. Vermeire

Mixing temperature and feeding calves IgYs can have a bigger impact on calf weight gain and health than expected.

Améliorer la performance des veaux : tout est dans l’attitude

November 1, 2022

Drew A. Vermeire

Seriez-vous surpris d’apprendre qu’une différence majeure entre la réussite et l’échec de l’élevage des veaux réside dans l’attitude des personnes qui en prennent soin?

To weaning and beyond!

Weaning calves early pays dividends in better calf performance and in saving money by feeding less milk replacer per calf. Here are some guidelines about weaning and taking care of calves after weaning.

May 20, 2022

Drew A. Vermeire

Weaning calves early pays dividends in better calf performance and in saving money by feeding less milk replacer per calf. Here are some guidelines about weaning and taking care of calves after weaning.

How to keep calves growing when the weather turns cold (Hint: Fat is not the answer)

November 29, 2021

Drew A. Vermeire

Imagine that your car will go 60 miles per hour in the summer but only 30 mph when the temperature is freezing, and it will not run at all when the temperature falls to 0ºF. This is an accurate illustration of how cold temperature adversely affects rate of gain in calves.

Improve your grades: Transfer of passive immunity is no longer pass or fail

September 13, 2021

Drew A. Vermeire

The value of adequate colostrum intake to the health and well-being of calves cannot be overstated.

Improving calf performance: Attitude is everything

June 7, 2021

Drew A. Vermeire

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.

The light side of calf performance

November 6, 2020

Drew A. Vermeire

Many people know the length of the daily photoperiod signals chickens and other birds to start or stop laying eggs.

Milk replacer percent solids, osmolarity … What in the concentration are we talking about?

May 6, 2020

Drew A. Vermeire

I read mixing directions on a milk replacer tag recently, and it said “mix at 15% solids” which seems simple enough. But what does “15% solids” mean? Is it 15% by weight or 15% by volume?

What’s in a milk replacer and why?

November 6, 2019

Drew A. Vermeire

Milk secretion is a defining characteristic of mammals. Milk composition varies by species, by stage of lactation, age and there are dietary influences, as well.

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Progressive Cattle Canada

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Drew A. Vermeire

ARTICLES

Wanted: Producers needed to care for 450,000 free calves

Some surprising research results from our calf facility

Améliorer la performance des veaux : tout est dans l’attitude

To weaning and beyond!

How to keep calves growing when the weather turns cold (Hint: Fat is not the answer)

Improve your grades: Transfer of passive immunity is no longer pass or fail

Improving calf performance: Attitude is everything

The light side of calf performance

Milk replacer percent solids, osmolarity … What in the concentration are we talking about?

What’s in a milk replacer and why?

How daily decisions shape long-term herd performance

[Webinar] Dairy Market Update June 2026: Protect What You've Built Before July 1

Another summer of water worries

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