Group housing calves is becoming a more common way to house and manage calves. Part of managing a group of calves is being able to scan the herd effectively for individuals who need more attention. Monitoring the behavior of individuals and of the group by assessing the herds reaction to…

It’s that time of year again!  Along with the cold weather and warm fires, winter brings New Year’s Resolutions.  Set (and keep) some New Year’s Resolutions for your calves! Calving The calving process is extremely influential on the success of the calf in early life.  Dystocia or difficult calving frequently…

The most efficient rate of growth a calf experiences is in the first month of life. Strong growth and good calf health has been linked to improved performance of heifers with a trend toward earlier first breeding and increased milk yields. However, calves are at a disadvantage in the winter…

Digestive and metabolic upsets are just some of the challenges in pre-weaned calf rearing. Rumen drinking is a condition that occurs when milk is ingested into the rumen in large quantities. Rumen drinking has been linked to decreased passage rate, reduced digestion and absorption of nutrients, and abnormal metabolic and…

The USDA estimates that 95,000 calves die each year of hypothermia. It may be more common in calves than is recognized and proper diagnosis, treatment and prevention are critical to calf survival. Mild Cold Stress or Hypothermia At this stage of cold stress we observe vigorous shivering. If we look…

The dam’s colostrum has the potential to set calves up for success, so why should you consider supplementing or replacing it? There are many times when Mother Nature may fall short either in the quantity or quality of maternal colostrum, in the vigor of the newborn or in the mothering…

Management strategy defines the success of calf programs.  Calves are challenged from birth with an immature immune system and at the same time they are programmed to grow quickly.  A large part of managing young calves is their feeding program.  It is an important first step to ensure that the…

The Grober Young Animal Development Center opened its doors in 2009 with the mission of uncovering and presenting best rearing practices for young animals.  Over the past three years, approximately 300 calves, 40 lambs and 40 kid goats have resided at our Woodstock facility for the purpose of conducting nutritional…

Water is the nutrient required in greatest quantity by young animals accounting for 70-75% of a young animal’s body weight. It is often overlooked as an essential nutrient. Water is needed daily for the transport or nutrients, the excretion of waste products (urine and faeces), the digestion of feed, the…

As weather gets cooler, often with large temperature swings between night and day calf feeding programs need to be adjusted. Maintenance requirements must be met for growth and development; however ensuring strong growth has been linked to improved performance (earlier breeding and increased milk yield). In order to continue with…