News
Core Values, Mental Health, and Sustainable Farms
This week I am excited to be summarizing an interview I did with someone who I consider a very good friend and mentor! His name is Bob Hostetler. Over the span of his career Bob has worked as a Dairy Nutritionist and a Life Coach. Bob got his start working with Milk Products, and overtime had experience working with Cargill and as an Independent Dairy Calf Consultant. Bob has always had a passion for youngstock and young people. Not only has been a great resource for raising calves, but he also enjoys being there to support and mentor those who are just beginning their careers in the dairy industry...
Early Life Microbial Colonization and Effects on Immunity
In the calf world we talk a lot about average daily gain and the effects that better gains early on in life have on lifetime production. Although gains early on in life are important and do affect productivity, much of the growth and development affecting lifetime productivity may be taking place in utero, even before the calf is even born...
Feeding Beef-On-Dairy Calves
Beef-On-Dairy breeding has proved to be a win-win strategy for both the beef and dairy industry. A decline in national cattle numbers has sent beef packers looking for additional cattle sources. These cross cattle also provide a year-round supply of meat to processing facilities as compared to the seasonal supply provided by traditional beef herds...
The Cost of an Activated Immune System
The Immune System is a complex network that protects the body from foreign invaders. Do not underestimate the importance of maintaining a strong and healthy immune system. Every second of everyday animals, birds and aquaculture wage a silent war against billions of viruses, bacteria, pathogens and parasites. This system is made up of different organs, cells, and proteins that all work together in the immune response. There are 2 main parts of the immune system. The innate immune system and the adaptive immune system...
NEW NASEM REQUIREMENTS FOR CALVES
This week’s blog is a summary of a presentation given by Dr. Jim Quigley during a previous webinar of the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association. Dr. Quigley is a well-known calf researcher who has helped improve the well-being of calves for more than 30 years...