Calf Housing

Keeping calves cool: New ideas for hutch-housed heifers

jvanos@wisc.edu — Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Providing active heat abatement during the preweaning period can create a cleaner hutch microclimate, help keep calves cool, improve their immune responses and even increase herd longevity through the first lactation. Our group has been exploring a solar-powered fan system for calves in outdoor hutches.

Youngstock facilities: From concept to conception

lkrentz@vitaplus.com — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Today’s producers have options for housing calves, options that account for calf comfort, employee efficiency and operational success. There’s no one right way to raise calves, but there are many ways to do it well, as attendees learned recently at the Vines and Bovines event hosted by Vita Plus.

Seven pillars of successful calf raising

tiago.tomazi@merck.com — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Just as solid structural pillars form a strong foundation for the barn, these seven pillars of calf raising are powerful steps to help build a solid foundation for the future milking herd.

Maternity barn: Setting the stage for healthy beginnings

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Many dairy operations are reexamining their maternity barns and calf holding areas. In this article, we will explore five benefits of modernizing these facilities and the positive outcome improvements can bring for both your calves and your entire dairy operation.

The three most common calf-care challenges I see on farms

seck@immucell.com — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Autofeeders: Time-tested management and emerging solutions

bdado-senn@vitaplus.com — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Many farmers who have implemented automated calf feeders (autofeeders) describe the process as a steep learning curve followed by fine-tuning and the occasional mechanical or health hiccup. This article highlights focus areas that can help calf managers mitigate challenges with autofeeders.

From hutches to barns: How calf housing is changing

rrobertshaw@canarm.ca — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Raising healthy, high-performing calves starts with the right housing system. As calf care practices have evolved, many dairy and veal producers are now exploring how indoor housing systems can better support their operational goals.

Can beef teach us how to better raise dairy replacements: Calving environment and newborn management

jamesre60@gmail.com — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

What’s normal for beef cattle? The pastoral scene is common in many beef cattle systems in the eastern U.S. Calving occurs outdoors, where the air is fresh and the environment is clean. What is the message for dairy, and can we do better? What are the focus areas we should consider?

Calf management – beef vs. dairy

jamesre60@gmail.com — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:49:51 -0500

Seeing beef cow-calf pairs on pasture caused me to consider how we have raised dairy calves. Granted, most of our commercial dairy management systems don’t allow this kind of environment for the cow and her newborn calf, but what can be done to make our systems better?

[Podcast] Colostrum management, winter calf care and benefits of pair housing calves with Bethany Dado-Senn

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Bethany Dado-Senn of Vita Plus joins host Matti McBride to discuss calf care. Learn from Dado-Senn as she discusses the importance of colostrum quality and management, general sanitation, calf management in the winter months, the benefits of pair housing calves and more.

Are calf hutches still the ‘gold’ standard?

jamesre60@gmail.com — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

For many years, the calf hutch has been considered the “gold” standard. Is it time to reevaluate this standard? Let’s consider the benefits and challenges of the calf hutch system compared to other alternatives.

Getting cozy: Pair-housing calves as a potential solution to cold stress

jvanos@wisc.edu — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

A less-studied strategy to help calves cope with cold stress could be through having a companion. Pair or group housing of calves has become a popular topic of discussion over the past few decades. We conducted a study to measure if pair-housing calves in a dual hutch system could help reduce the effects of cold stress during winter. Read about the study's results.

The weather forecast for today is hot and cold: Tips for nurturing calves in fluctuating weather

seck@immucell.com — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Have you ever found yourself begging Mother Nature to give you a break? For example, this past winter, Wisconsin experienced several 50-degree temperature swings in one day. It was nice and sunny one day, and then 12 hours later, chilly and damp. Those fluctuations can make calves more vulnerable to scours and respiratory illnesses.

4 tips to foster a positive impact on calf stress

curt.vlietstra@boehringer-ingelheim.com — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

When calves face stress, it often threatens their respiratory health. Mitigating risk, including stress management, is a key component of a larger bovine respiratory disease (BRD) battle plan, which also includes building immunity and managing infection.

Can your calves pass these tests?

jonathan.townsend@merck.com — Wed, 08 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In the realm of calf raising, the adage holds true: "You can't manage what you can't measure." From birth to weaning, a variety of tests and measurements can help you evaluate the success of your calf-raising protocols, provide insights into calf health and highlight areas for improvement.

Calves can vote too: Preferences for hutch ventilation during summer

jvanos@wisc.edu — Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

A potential consequence of the dual hutch housing system is that when calves choose to share a hutch, this could increase the risk of heat stress during warm weather. We conducted a study at the University of Wisconsin – Madison to see if this concern is warranted and to measure how calves use hutch ventilation.

Calves under the sun: Navigating heat stress challenges

rodrigogarcia@techmixglobal.com — Wed, 01 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

As the temperatures soar, managing heat stress in dairy and beef calves becomes key for ensuring the health and future productivity of the herd. Heat stress not only affects the immediate well-being of the animals but can also have long-term implications for their growth and development.

Ventilating repurposed structures for calf housing

alex@crystalcreeknatural.com — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Building a new calf-raising facility is an expensive investment and not always an option. Converting an existing structure, whether it’s a pole shed or an old stanchion barn, to house and raise calves can be a great option – if proper ventilation practices are followed.

Maximize the effectiveness of calf barn ventilation with computerized calculations

drnele@crystalcreeknatural.com — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In this article, we investigate how advanced airflow software, commonly referred to as computational fluid dynamics or CFD, and 3D visualization software can help when planning a new calf facility.

Managing natural ventilation in your calf barn

rmcbay@canarm.ca — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

By prioritizing proper ventilation system design and operation, you can successfully house your calves indoors without compromising their health.

Completing a calf hygiene audit

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

If you are consistently having problems with your calves, consider having a third party complete a calf hygiene audit and ask about using an ATP meter.

The first 60 days sets the course for later lactation

matt_dodd@diamondv.com — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 09:32:51 -0400

That newborn calf looks pretty helpless nestled down in that clean, fresh straw. But don’t let looks deceive. She’s a powerhouse of genetics and opportunity just waiting to demonstrate her potential.

Calf barn ventilation

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Many calf housing options exist, but important system fundamentals need to be incorporated into the design related to ventilation, calf comfort, labor efficiency, cost effectiveness, and group versus individual housing strategies, for the system to be successful.

Mycoplasma bovis: Answers to common questions and tips for treating it

donald.sockett@wvdl.wisc.edu — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Mycoplasma bovis is a bacterium lacking a cell wall, which causes it to be resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillin, ampicillin, cephalosporins). Its unique metabolism also makes it resistant to sulpha drugs.

Simple goals in calf care position NexGen Dairy for the future

jenn@agproud.com — Tue, 30 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The milking herd at NexGen Dairy is a mature group of cows who have proven themselves in milk production and in overall cow health. Achieving such a distinct herd begins with the calves and the farm’s protocols – starting at birth.

The economic impact of calfhood pneumonia

alex@crystalcreeknatural.com — Wed, 03 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Calf raising is an area where producers may be tempted to cut corners in an effort to save money. Incorporating a least-cost mentality when raising calves often results in calves that are more susceptible to developing health complications.

7 tips for designing the right calf barn

bradley.biehl@amsgalaxyusa.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Abundant information and opinions are available on design for cow barns; but there’s much less information available for designing calf barns – especially calf barns with group housing and automatic feeders.

Group housing for pre-weaned calves: Research on health outcomes

bmkarle@ucanr.edu — Thu, 19 May 2022 16:32:38 -0400

Research is generally mixed on the feasibility of group housing for pre-weaned calves, especially relative to calf health.

3 common calf barn ventilation questions answered

drryan@crystalcreeknatural.com — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 19:23:07 -0500

I have been fascinated with calf barn ventilation for more than a decade, to the point where I have made its study the focus of much of my professional career. Calf raisers around the world often have the same questions when it comes to ventilation, and this article will discuss the three most common calf barn ventilation questions I receive.

Winter calf care

kfb3@cornell.edu — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 22:09:32 -0500

Keeping calves warm in winter is good for calves and good for the farm. Calves that are not cold stressed are healthier and more productive throughout their lives.