Heifers are the most fertile females on a dairy, and also possess the most up-to-date genetics. Thus they often are the targets of the most valuable genetic investments.
Learning from their peers, tradition, and strategically embracing new technology were three prominent themes among western Canadian dairy calf raisers.
Habits formed early in life – whether good or bad – often carry through to adulthood. Like little children, calves, too, need to be trained on positive behaviors, including the way they eat.
When a cow aborts or has a stillborn calf, it’s a source of both frustration and worry. Was it an isolated incident, or a sign of a major problem in the herd?
The recent, meteoric rise in dairy markets have dairy producers feeling cautiously optimistic, but high feed costs are tempering that optimism for those who purchase much of their feed.
Breakdowns in the global supply chain are hitting home for U.S. livestock producers and the veterinarians who serve them, in the form of shortages of commonly used medications.
