CALVES & HEIFERS

During these hot summer months, you are likely aware of heat stress and the effect it has on your lactating herd. However, are you aware of the effect it has on your calves?

Keeping calves clean, warm and dry is essential to maintain their health and productivity. From the moment the calf is born, what are the best steps to get the calf from wet and gunky to clean, warm and dry?

Successful colostrum management requires careful attention to cleanliness. Colostrum, while it is still in a healthy cow, should have a bacteria count of essentially zero. However, by the time it gets into the calf, bacteria counts are often very high.

Protecting the investment in your heifer herd has never been more important. We tend to put a lot of emphasis on genetic progress with our breeding programs, but we fail to partner that with a quality heifer management program to allow our heifers to express their full genetic potential.

“The dairy producer plays a critical role in veal production,” said Dr. Jessica Pempek, animal welfare specialist and assistant professor at Ohio State University.

Day in and day out, dairy farmers provide the best in animal husbandry. There are occasions when animals get sick and need antimicrobial therapy to overcome a specific disease challenge.