What is the most economical method of raising young dairy steer calves? One school of thought suggests weaning them off milk as quickly as possible. Another is to adopt a milk-heavy, “accelerated” approach as many managers now are using to raise heifer calves. Still others use a more traditional, middle-of-the-road approach.
Frank Wardynski, ruminant educator with Michigan State University, recently published an analysis comparing calf performance and profitability from three such nutrition programs. In this comparison, Wardynski concluded that, although it required the largest up-front investment, accelerated milk feeding was the most profitable approach with the lowest break-even market price. Early weaning was second, followed by a conventional approach.
Read the full text of Wardynski’s research summary here.
