A successful calf program doesn’t happen by chance. It takes time, focus, attention and, of course, proper data collection. When gathering data, we should think about what we are measuring, our purpose and how we can improve upon these measurements.

Calf-raising systems are not necessarily one-size-fits-all. Not all raisers face the same challenges. Each operation has different approaches – from feeding methods (bottles, buckets or auto feeders), to housing strategies (group settings or individual pens), to the choice between whole milk or milk replacer – the differences are many. Despite contrasts in styles, calf raisers seek many of the same answers in their pursuit of excellence.