Calf
Diagnostic strategies help identify gestational nutrient gaps linked to stillbirths and weak calves.
Experts say it’s time to feed colostrum according to quality not habit. When it comes to calf immunity, more volume isn’t always better.
A growing population of younger cows in most dairy herds brings a hidden risk to calf health. Fortunately, it’s also a manageable one.
Veterinarian David Renaud’s research highlights how careful planning before, during and after transport can significantly improve calf health, reduce disease and support long-term growth.
Can pasteurized whole milk be enhanced with added milk replacer powder? If so, is it possible to add too much of a good thing?
It is important that dairy industry stakeholders work together to further understand the complexity and underlying mechanisms of heat stress impacts and develop alternative strategies to mitigate the risks.
Researchers continue to seek methods of monitoring animal health and welfare to anticipate health setbacks and improve the animals’ lives. The latest tool to do so: saliva.
Could a cow’s birth season impact its longevity and productivity? University of Florida researchers say yes—discover how heat stress at birth could shape a cow’s future.
With temperatures rising from coast to coast, now is the time to wash and put away all of the calf jackets used over winter.
Soon after the discovery of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain H5N1 in dairy cattle, scientists learned that milk was a primary vector in spreading the disease from cow to cow.
What is normal for calf body temperature, and when should they be treated for fevers? Industry experts weigh in on making temperature monitoring a routine part of daily calf care.
Research shows feeding frequency has less impact on preweaned dairy calves’ performance than the total nutrients provided, despite logic suggesting more frequent feedings would help.
Calves need water year-around, including winter. Research evidence suggests 100°F should be the target temperature for calves’ water, matching their body and rumen temperature.
The essential oil from oregano is proving beneficial for calf diets. Two studies have shown it to have positive impacts on calf health and performance as an alternative to antibiotics.
Facilities, genetics, nutrition, stockmanship and marketing are some of the impotant factors to consider in the transition process.
It not just your diet that stands to benefit from less processing and higher fiber. According to Dr. Michael Ballou, researcher at Texas Tech University, calves also do better on a diet containing whole grains.
Bloody scours in calves is never a welcome sight, but diagnosing the source can help with treatment and prevent future cases.
Having the right tools for the job can improve any management scenario. When it comes to raising calves, 5 helpful tools were emphasized at the recent Dairy Calf and Heifer Association Annual Conference.
Cows are more prone to heat stress than calves, right? Not necessarily, according to University of Wisconsin researcher Jimena Laporta.
Skills learned in a beef feedlot serve dairy heifer grower Erik Mohrlang well as he manages 14,000 dairy heifers at a Colorado custom-rearing yard.
As temperatures begin to creep their way higher, consider these strategies to help keep calves cool and healthy during the heat of the summer.
The goal of formulating milk replacer is to as closely as possible duplicate – and even improve upon – whole milk. A team of researchers is exploring how to do that based on fat source choices and fatty acids.
Bacteria, viruses, and protozoa all have crafty methods of making preweaned calves sick. Veterinarian Don Sockett shares his advice on fighting these organisms through effective cleaning and sanitation routines.
The best-quality colostrum is thick, creamy, and has a beautiful golden color, right? Not necessarily, according to Danish veterinarian and researcher Hanne Skovsgaard Pedersen.
If you want to stay ahead of calf health and catch sickness in its earliest stage, University of Minnesota Graduate Student Abbigail Prins offers a handy detection tip.
Though maternity pens can sometimes feel chaotic to manage, there are additional ways to help minimize stress and create a calmer calving environment for both cow and calf.
Beef-on-dairy numbers in the U.S. will reach up to 5 million head – roughly 15% of the cattle harvested annually – as early as 2026. The sexed-and-beef model of production will play a prominent role in the process.