Calf and Heifer http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/calf-heifer RSS Feed for Calf and Heifer en-us Fri, 18 May 2012 03:13:08 GMT Breeding heifers by size can impact profit potential http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/calf-heifer/Breeding-heifers-by-size-151983475.html Over the last 10 years there has been more emphasis on growing heifer calves faster and better in order to maximize performance and health of the animal over its lifetime. However, these bigger heifers are not being bred early enough in many situations to take full advantage of the more aggressive calf growth. New technologies, outreach boost dairy cattle fertility http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/calf-heifer/New-technologies-outreach-boost-dairy-cattle-fertility-151912875.html Increasing the reproductive efficiency of dairy cattle by getting the highest possible number of cows pregnant in the same period of time has always been a challenge for the industry. Calves need free-choice water http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/calf-heifer/Calves-need-freechoice-water-151851925.html A Purdue Dairy Digest podcast discusses the importance of providing free-choice water to calves. Study looks at calf hutch conditions in summertime http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/calf-heifer/Study-looks-at-calf-hutch-conditions-in-summertime-151500495.html University of Florida researchers compared the performance and health of calves raised in polyethylene hutches with ridge top vents and rear adjustable doors to those raised in housing built of open wire during peak summer temperatures in Florida. Colostrum: More than meets the eye http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/calf-heifer/Colostrum-More-than-meets-the-eye-151322515.html Recent research suggests that other parts of colostrum – specifically, growth factors and hormones – may play an essential role in growth and development of the newborn. Stepping over dollars to pick up dimes http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/calf-heifer/Stepping-over-dollars-to-pick-up-dimes-150947915.html We all do it. We ignore the low-hanging fruit that will give us a better return and we go after the things that are riskier and often give us barely any return. We set ourselves up to fail when we ignore common sense practices that we know are good for the bottom line. Dairy calf expert Sam Leadley, PhD, Attica Veterinary Associates, sees that all too often on dairy farms where calf care is concerned. The latest on heat-treating colostrum http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/calf-heifer/The-latest-on-colostrum-pasteurization-151127435.html Researchers at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine have proven that colostrum can be heat-treated with successful outcomes in a university research setting, but can the practice be applied with equal success on commercial dairy farms? That question was addressed in the team’s most recently published work in the Journal of Dairy Science. Feed delivery methods studied http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/calf-heifer/Feed-delivery-methods-studied-151127065.html Well-balanced rations are important for heifer growth and development. But a group of Purdue University researchers conclude that how the nutrients are delivered also can influence dry-matter intake, weight gain and feed efficiency. Preparation key to post-weaning slump http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/calf-heifer/Preparation-key-to-post-weaning-slump-151126885.html Weaning is a stressful time for calves. But pre-weaning nutritional adjustments can help ease the transition for young calves. Heifer market steady, calves up slightly http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/calf-heifer/Heifer-market-steady-calves-up-slightly-151126735.html Springing heifer prices at four auction sites across the country were virtually unchanged compared to a month ago.