Youngstock Housing

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.

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?

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.

Win-win opportunities for calf welfare: Enhancing nutrition and social housing for optimal health and productivity

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Calf welfare has been a key focus area of Drs. Dan Weary and Marina (Nina) von Keyserlingk’s industry research chair in animal welfare at the University of British Columbia. In a recent episode of the Dairy Farmers of Canada’s research podcast series, Paths to On-Farm Excellence, Weary and von Keyserlingk discussed milk feeding and group housing – two key elements of their research surrounding calf welfare and management.

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.

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.

Improving calf rumen health during times of stress

louderdvm@gmail.com — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

While failures of the immune system are often seen, little is taken into account of what the immune system requires and if it is getting what it needs from the digestive system of the animal.

Investing in a contemporary calf barn positions Hammond family for future herd success

katie@agproud.com — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

An automated ventilation system, larger pens and automated feeders have contributed to healthier calves at Hammond Farms.

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.

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.

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.

5 reasons to consider cow-calf contact on your dairy

joelfox57@gmail.com — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

There are numerous benefits to both the cow and calf with cow-calf contact rearing. Animal welfare and consumer perception are key factors to consider.

Three reasons genomic testing can help improve calf programs

geoffreywilson.smith@zoetis.com — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0400

A dairy producer’s dream and goal is a low-maintenance herd with minimized disease instances, great fertility and longevity. Where can they achieve these results?

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.

Does your calf facility match your farm's needs?

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:43:37 -0400

Today’s calves and heifers will be your future milking herd. Pampering our replacements is not only the right choice, it's essential for the long-term health and productivity of our herds.

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.

Seasonality and optimal calf care

Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:00:01 -0400

Changing seasons and challenging seasonal extremes (cold, heat and humidity) add extra challenges for a young calf, and the caregiver’s management must be dynamic in order to provide optimal care.