Heifer prices steady
For the past couple of months, heifer prices have been charting a relatively stable course, says Greg Scheer, dairy analyst with Doane Advisory Services in St. Louis. Our most recent check of prices around the country shows supreme-rated springing heifers range from $1,300 to $2,025. Medium classified springing heifers range from $800 to $1,700. Calf prices topped out at $585; however, the reported low was $75.

	Springing heifers		Heifer calves
	Supreme/top grade	Approved/medium grade	90 to 120 pounds
Escalon, Calif.	$1,600-$2,000	$1,200-$1,400	Not reported
Portales, N.M.	$1,700-$2,025	$1,400-$1,625	Not reported
Ithaca, Wis.	$1,800-$1,950	$1,450-$1,550	$350-$585
Sulphur Springs, Texas	$1,300-$1,825	$800-$1,250	$75-$575
New Holland, Pa.	$1,750-$1,975	$1,575-$1,700	Not reported

Welcome to the April 23 edition of Calf and Heifer Adviser, published by Dairy Herd Management^® magazine.

Calf and Heifer Adviser and its core sponsors are committed to providing you with the information you need to make informed and timely business decisions.

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Study examines non-milk proteins
The price of milk replacer has gone up recently and that may have you looking at milk replacers with alternative protein sources. Formulations that include non-milk proteins may cost less, but they also can reduce gain. To see research that compares milk replacers with wheat protein or soy protein concentrate to all-milk protein, go to: www.dairyherd.com.

Serum protein profiles under study
Researchers at the University of Minnesota’s Waseca-based calf-and-heifer-rearing facility run a serum protein test on all incoming calves. Last year, the research center brought in 787 calves from three commercial Minnesota dairies. Average serum protein concentration of those calves was 5.5 grams per deciliter, which meets the facility’s goal. What’s more, 45 percent of those calves had profiles greater than 5.5. To see a chart that shows how serum protein levels of incoming calves have changed at the facility, go to: www.dairyherd.com.

Learn from your losses
When a calf dies, don’t stress over what you can’t control. Instead, use it as an opportunity to learn something. When you or your veterinarian posts a calf, it allows you to identify the culprits you are dealing with on your farm. And that can help you improve your calf care, says Johanna Laggis, of Laggis Brothers Dairy in East Hardwick, Vt. This was one of several ideas she shared with producers attending the National Dairy Calf and Heifer Conference last month.

Use all of your senses
“The better you are at detecting problems before a calf becomes sick, the better the prognosis for the calf,” says Johanna Laggis, of Laggis Brothers Dairy in East Hardwick, Vt. That’s why it is so important to use all of your senses when evaluating the health of your calves.
    For example, every time Laggis enters the calf area, she visually appraises each calf to assess its current demeanor against its “normal personality.” Then, when feeding, she sniffs each pen. If the calf’s demeanor seems off, or the smell of the pen has changed, she makes a note in that calf’s notebook and investigates. This, she says, helps her find calves that need attention before they show clinical signs.

Balance performance goals and economics
“Is it worth losing 5 pounds of growth to save $5 on a milk replacer?” Steve Hayes, technical service manager with Milk Products of Chilton, Wis., posed that question to producers during a recent calf workshop at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca, Minn. The answer will not be the same for everyone, Hayes says, but rather should depend on your goals and economics. When faced with a calf-feeding choice, balance your goals for calf health, growth and rumen development with a cost-benefit analysis.

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