From the moment a calf is born, its journey to becoming a productive member of the herd begins. According to Noah Litherland, dairy technical services specialist at VitaPlus, growth during this early stage sets the foundation for future success, influencing everything from milk production to overall animal health.
“Calf growth is so important because it sets the foundation for the herd in terms of the replacement animals coming in,” Litherland said at a recent Growing the Modern Calf workshop in Fond du Lac, Wis. “We want them to roll up their sleeves, be good quality heifers, and get to work.”
The Importance of Early Nutrition
Like so many calf feeders know, good nutrition starts on day one—there are no do-overs.
“You can’t get that day back, so you have to ensure that the calf gets off to the best start,” Litherland emphasized.
The first 24 hours are especially critical since colostrum delivers essential antibodies, nutrients, and energy to jumpstart the immune system. A calf’s ability to absorb these antibodies declines rapidly after birth, so timely feeding is essential.
Litherland noted that colostrum quality matters just as much as timing. Assessing antibody levels using a Brix refractometer or colostrometer ensures calves receive the best possible start.
After colostrum, consistency and quality in milk feeding are key to steady, lean growth. Providing a balanced, high-quality milk replacer or pasteurized whole milk at consistent volumes and temperatures helps minimize digestive stress and supports calf development.
“We want good growth, but lean growth as well,” he said.
The Building Blocks for Early Growth
Water
According to Litherland, water is the most important nutrient for calf growth, followed closely by energy. Clean, fresh water should always be available, as it plays a vital role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall hydration. Even in the early weeks, when calves rely primarily on milk, easy access to water encourages proper digestion and helps establish healthy feeding habits.
Milk
Milk serves as the primary source of nutrition in a calf’s first few weeks, supplying essential proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals that support muscle and bone development, immune function, and energy needs.
For the first six feedings after colostrum, Litherland recommends using bottles instead of buckets. This approach helps:
- Reduces the risk of aspiration
- Maintains better hygiene
- Ensures calves receive their full feeding
- Encourages proper suckling behavior for an easier transition to bucket or automated feeding
A good milk feeding program sets calves up for success, but sometimes, adjustments are needed. Too much milk can cause digestive problems, while too little can slow growth and leave calves hungry. Knowing the signs of overfeeding and underfeeding helps ensure calves get the right nutrition for steady growth and an easy transition to solid feed.
- Signs of Overfeeding:
- Nutritional scours occurr in the majority of young calves
- No interest in calf starter by 30 days of age
- Most calves not following the expected milk intake curve
- Calves are overly vocal before feeding, indicating hunger
- Calves finish milk quickly and continue searching for more
- Signs of Underfeeding:
- Calves are overly vocal before feeding, indicating hunger
- Calves finish milk quickly and continue searching for more
Starter
Introducing a high-quality calf starter early-ideally within the first week of life-is critical for proper rumen development. Early access to starter encourages microbial activity, helping calves transition to a solid diet.
Providing fresh, dry calf starter daily encourages intake, and as consumption increases, it’s a good indicator that the calf is preparing for weaning. Calves that consume adequate starter before weaning tend to:
- Gain weight more efficiently
- Experience a smoother transition off milk
- Show improved long-term growth and performance
Building a Strong Growth Curve
The goal of feeding calves extends beyond just providing nutrition; it is about establishing a solid growth trajectory. As calves grow, their nutritional needs evolve, requiring a balanced feeding strategy that promotes steady development. This structured approach lays the groundwork for a strong growth curve, ensuring calves transition smoothly through key developmental stages.
According to Litherland, a well-structured feeding program should:
- Provide a plane of nutrition that establishes the growth curve
- Establishes a healthy feeding behavior
- Minimizes the risk of inflammation
- Compliments the weaning timeline
- Encourages GI tract maturation
Tracking Progress with Nursery KPIs
Keeping track of calf performance might feel like a chore, but it’s a key part of making smarter decisions for your herd’s health and growth. According to Litherland, “Having solid data to look back on helps you understand what’s working and what needs improvement.”
He provided the following key performance indicators to monitor during the nursery phase:
- Birth date and weight
- Respiratory treatments and dates
- Mortalities, if any
- Weaning weight and date
- Average daily gain (ADG) pre-weaning
- ADG post-weaning
By staying on top of these records, you can spot trends and tweak your approach for better results down the road.
In addition to growth metrics, Litherland highlights the importance of monitoring the health of a calf’s digestive system. One often overlooked yet valuable indicator of calf health is manure consistency. Regular evaluation of manure provides insights into the calf’s digestive function and can help identify potential issues before they become more significant concerns.
When evaluating manure, the goal is for it to be mostly firm and dark in color. Causes of loose manure may include:
- Pathogens
- Disruptions in milk fat
- Poor hygiene
- Inconsistent feeding volume
By staying attentive to these details, producers can improve calf health and reduce the risk of more serious health issues down the line.
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