Calves are exposed to multiple pathogens, but whether they get sick depends on how much pathogen a calf is exposed to and how their immune system responds.  During the first two weeks after birth, the health and future productivity of a calf is at high risk. This is because during this time, a calf’s body...Read More

As the calving season approaches, now is the opportune moment to meticulously plan and prepare for the upcoming challenges in calf rearing. Reflecting on your past calf rearing performance, consider these six pivotal factors to ensure a successful and thriving environment for your calves in 2024. 1. Calf Rearing Facilities: A Sanctuary for Growth The...Read More

Thinking differently about colostrum and weaning can lead to greater life-long productivity By Lilian Schaer for Livestock Research Innovation CorporationThere is a strong relationship between health and growth in a calf’s early life and that animal’s total lifetime production. This means what happens to a calf in its first few hours and days is extremely...Read More

For those that missed our live seminar ‘Making Calf Rearing Easy’ at International Dairy Week, here it is. The panel session was facilitated by Adam Plant (MaxCare) and included: • Tom Newton: MaxCare Business Manager • Mike Ryan: Eagle Direct Managing Director • Annie Newton: Northern Victoria Calf Rearer Dairy farmers are always looking for...Read More

With the latest addition to its family, MaxCare looks to solidify its place as the leading calf milk replacer following the release of the new MaxCare CLASSIC. Rounding out the MaxCare range, the new CLASSIC fills a hole in the market that now enables MaxCare to compete on both value and quality at every price...Read More

In order for calves to get off to the right start they need to be fed at least 4L of good quality colostrum within the first few hours of life. This has been well known for decades, yet some producers still make their colostrum quality decisions based on myths instead of facts.  In a recent William...Read More

The colostrum you fed a heifer calf this morning is one of the main predictors of her health as both a calf and a cow. What factors influence the quality of that colostrum? Sheila McGuirk, retired Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin, discusses issues that can affect colostrum quality, and how it...Read More

Without a doubt, dealing with scouring calves is the biggest challenge for the calf rearer, and the biggest threat to calf survival. Understanding the causes of neonatal diarrhoea (scours) is important, so that appropriate prevention and treatment can be instigated. What are the main causes of early scours? Is there something wrong with the immune...Read More

Nobody wants to eat off a dirty plate or have their food prepared in a nasty kitchen. The same goes for calves! Here are five tips to help keep your calf kitchen clean and tidy: 1. A Triple Threat – Using the combination of a detergent, disinfectant and sanitizer is a great way to minimize bacterial growth in the calf kitchen....Read More

Frigid winter weather ushers in a host of challenges for dairy operations, including keeping newborn calves alive and thriving. Increasing liquid nutrients to young calves is widely recommended and implemented in cold climates. Because milk or milk replacer is the sole source of nutrition that can be digested by calves 3 weeks old and younger,...Read More