When raising replacement heifers, cost per pound of gain is a far more important metric than daily feed cost, according to Tamilee Nennich, dairy nutritionist and board member for the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association.
Spring, summer and fall typically mean higher humidity and fluctuating temperatures. Milk replacer should be stored in areas with controlled temperature and humidity to prevent spoilage.
On-farm research performed last winter in upstate New York provides new insights into how to keep calves healthy in even the most brutal cold-weather conditions.
Pregnant heifers are one cohort on dairies that don’t need nutrient-rich diets. In fact, over-feeding mature heifers can lead to excess fat deposition, which may cause calving difficulties and challenging lactation transitions.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has requested that animal drug companies voluntarily revise the labels of drugs intended to treat certain internal parasites in livestock and horses.
Keeping accurate calf health records; following written management routines; and observing medical treatment protocols all can enhance animal welfare, farm efficiency, and consumer confidence.
AgDay national reporter Betsy Jibben talks with Dr. Jan Shearer, a Professor and Extension Veterinarian at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University to break it down scene by scene.
