Expert’s Corner: The nutrients in your calf starter
By Lucas Mitchell, Ph.D., Vita Plus | Carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water are all absolutely necessary to produce a high-quality calf starter. Let’s explore the functions of these...
View ArticleWhat does weather do to your calves?
By Bethany Dado-Senn, Ph.D., Vita Plus | Weather impacts a calf's environment as well as the nutrition and management strategies needed to maintain health and performance. The post What does weather do...
View ArticleVideo: Calf chat with Noah: What does a calf smell?
In this edition of Calf Chat, Noah Litherland, Ph.D., explains how olfaction can impact calves' reactions to their feed and environment. The post Video: Calf chat with Noah: What does a calf smell?...
View ArticleVirtual Farm Tour: Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy, LLC
Between 20 and 40 calves are born each day at Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy, LLC in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. With exceptional animal care as a top priority on the farm, the team continually looks for...
View ArticleNutraceutical approach to pathogen control
By Noah Litherland, Ph.D. | Nutraceuticals are feed ingredients that have medicinal benefits such as supporting the immune system. In youngstock diets, nutritionists look for ingredients that increase...
View ArticleWhole milk versus milk replacer
By Lucas Mitchell, Ph.D., | We frequently compare whole milk and milk replacer when discussing dairy calf nutrition. It is difficult to offer sound advice or make appropriate decisions on which liquid...
View ArticleFeeding colostrum: Esophageal tubes versus bottles
By Bethany Dado-Senn, Ph.D. | Both science and field work demonstrate that getting colostrum into calves within 2 hours of birth is a key part of ensuring adequate passive transfer of immunity....
View ArticleVirtual Farm Tour: McAllister Family Dairy
The owners of McAllister Family Dairy in New Vienna, Iowa, wanted to build a new calf care facility that could provide the best environment possible for raising healthy calves. When designing the...
View ArticleBalancing nutrition and agronomy for improved heifer diets
By Noah Litherland, Ph.D. | Heifers have specific nutrient requirements for maintenance, growth and eventually pregnancy. Forages serve as the foundation for the heifer diet and must be selected with...
View ArticleWhat’s in colostrum?
By Bethany Dado-Senn, Ph.D., Vita Plus | When a calf consultant talks about the importance of colostrum, it’s reminiscent of the “eat vegetables” lecture from the doctor or the “floss daily” reminder...
View ArticleWhy is that in my milk replacer?
Have you ever found yourself reading a milk replacer tag and trying to understand what additives are included, what those additives do and whether or not they are right for your calf program? The post...
View ArticleHow to introduce forages to youngstock
I am often asked, “How should forages be introduced to youngstock?” My answer is that it depends. The post How to introduce forages to youngstock appeared first on Vita Plus.
View ArticleCalf facilities of high-performing dairies
What facilities provide the best environment to raise calves and heifers? Answering that question requires us to first consider each farm’s specific needs and management systems. In March, two Midwest...
View Article7 ways to save money on calf starter
The best way to save on calf starter without sacrificing growth and performance is to limit waste. These seven steps can help you save money on calf starter. The post 7 ways to save money on calf...
View ArticleCalf care checklist: 3 steps for good water hygiene
Everyone knows water is one of six essential nutrients. However, the magnitude of its importance is often unrealized and, in some situations, downplayed. The post Calf care checklist: 3 steps for good...
View ArticleAutofeeders: What have we learned?
We have learned many things along the way as autofeeders become more popular in the calf raising world. On the dairy, we tend to learn most things through experience – good or bad. While that makes...
View ArticleEnsure that transition calves are ready for takeoff
As calves begin the weaning process and transition from milk to solid feed as their sole source of nutrition, producers may observe stalled growth and deteriorating health performance. The reasons for...
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