Water critical for rumen development

Providing clean, free-choice water to your calves, in addition to feeding a high-quality, high-protein calf starter, is essential for proper rumen development, says Susan Day, young animal technical manager with Land O’Lakes Purina Feed. Bacteria in the rumen require a wet environment to grow. These bacteria create byproducts that encourage the rumen to develop, which enables calves to absorb nutrients from the rumen and achieve optimal structural growth and weight gain. Calves will drink between 1 to 2 gallons of liquids per day, in addition to the water used to mix their milk replacer.

In these hot summer months, monitor water temperature throughout the day, especially in dark-colored or metal buckets, and provide cool, fresh water to your calves. Regularly clean water buckets to prevent mold and algae buildup.

1. Vilsack: Taking time to remember the fallen
2. Ag markets diverge just before the long holiday weekend
3. Study suggests dairy herd water quality linked to milk production
4. Wis. lawmakers question challenges to large wells
5. Traders evening up positions ahead of the weekend Friday
6. Bio-Vet and Keller break ground on new facility

1. Commentary: Milk faces branding dilemma
2. 4 rules for growing a business or industry
3. Salma Hayek: Milk part of 'perfect' breakfast
4. Chocolate milk a top post-workout food
5. Seven jobs more dangerous than farming
6. What do dairy exports mean for Minnesota?

1. Seven jobs more dangerous than farming
2. White House urges Senate to cut crop insurance in farm bill
3. Class III futures close out quietly last week
4. 4 rules for growing a business or industry
5. Drop in U.S. underground water levels has accelerated
6. Ongoing wave of Calif. metal theft prompts further legislation