Dairy Herd Management's Calf and Heifer Adviser

Limit-feeding resources
Even with higher corn prices, limit-feeding a high-concentrate diet is still a viable option to help heifers achieve an optimum average daily gain of 1.76 pounds. Although limit-feeding comes with its share of considerations, several studies show it can reduce heifer feed cost, among other benefits. Geoff Zanton, a graduate researcher at Penn State University, shared the findings of several studies at the annual Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop in November. To view a PDF of the research presented at the workshop, follow this link (PDF format).

Crossbred calves show greater immunity
Many commercial calf raisers will testify that crossbred dairy calves have greater survivability than purebreds. University of Kentucky researchers recently conducted a study to assess whether that anecdotal information could be quantified. Follow this link to learn their findings.

Panels protect waterers
Poly panels surround each waterer in this Minnesota heifer facility. This prevents animals from slopping water onto the pack and creating a muddy mess. The panels slide into a slot on each side, and are easily removed in case the waterer requires servicing. The waterers were placed in the bedding area so that they are not a barrier during alley scraping.

Dairy beef quality tips debut
Injection-site blemishes that begin as early as calfhood may remain with the animal through its life. To help you gain a better appreciation of your role in the beef-quality chain, we are pleased to bring you tips sponsored by the Dairy Beef Quality Assurance Program. This month’s tip covers injection-site strategies that you can use to protect beef quality. Watch for new dairy beef tips each month at the Calf & Heifer Resource Center.

Send your calf and heifer tips
Dairy Herd Management is planning a special calf and heifer tips section in its March issue.
   Please submit your heifer- or calf-management tips by Jan. 31 to be considered for this special section.
    Some of the tips may be presented at the Dairy Calf and Heifer Conference, April 1-3 in Rochester, Minn. If the judges select your tip as one of the top three, you will receive free registration and one night’s lodging at the conference.
   In addition, Dairy Herd Management will pay $75 for each tip that is published in the magazine, and another $25 if the tip is accompanied by a magazine-quality photograph.
   Send your tips in care of the editor, Dairy Herd Management, c/o Vance Publishing Corp., 10901 W. 84th Terr., Lenexa, Kan. 66214, or e-mail them to: tquaife@vancepublishing.com.

Water wisdom

Feeding free-choice water to wet calves year-round is an important priority to Mike and Patty Strayer, owners of Strayer Dairy, Wadena, Minn. Trouble is, it can be a cumbersome task.
The Strayers contract-raise wet calves for seven dairies plus their own lactating herd, with 300 calves on milk in hutches at any given time. They use a cart pulled by a four-wheeler to distribute water among the hutches. To speed up the filling process, they store water in a 600-gallon recycled bulk milk tank. A 0.5-horsepower sump pump rigged up with PVC pipe and discharge hoses fills the water cart in approximately five to six minutes.

(Courtesy of Mike Strayer)

“In the winter, we install a heater in the bulk tank to warm the water for feeding,” adds Mike. “It heats it to about 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, and keeps it cooler in the summer than a poly tank would, even though we don’t use the refrigeration unit. It’s an invention that has saved us countless labor hours and headaches.”

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