Cold weather will add stress to newly born calves in both dairy and beef operations. Taylor Leach reminds us that the most critical, and most expensive, period of calf growth in raising dairy calves is the pre-weaning period. She offers some tips to address cold weather stress during the first weeks of a calf’s life.
Source: Dairy Herd Management, October 28, 2019. Link. One key to feeding calves in cold weather is to provide all liquids at 105°F target temperature for consumption. Always offer calves clean, fresh water in addition to milk or milk replacer. Even with free-choice water, offer warm water several times per day in cold weather.
INSIGHTS: Producers with crop farms are busy harvesting. Consider using this article to help them move to cold-weather calf care tactics sooner than later. The temperature tip for liquids is valuable to use in social media, newsletters or targeted communications with producers.