Diary calf health is important for both the cow and the calf. Improving calf health will result in a healthier cow that will give you more milk, and a stronger, healthier calf that will have a better chance of thriving and producing healthy calves in the future.
There are several things you can do to improve cow health:
1. Feed high-quality hay: hay is an essential part of a dairy calf’s diet and should be high in quality, with a low concentration of straw. Hay should also be fresh since it has a short storage life. A good source of hay is alfalfa, which is high in protein and energy.
2. Supplement with minerals: mineral supplementation can help improve calf health by providing key nutrients such as zinc, copper, and selenium. Mineral supplements should be given at a rate recommended by your veterinarian or feed store manager.
3. Provide adequate water: calves need enough water to stay hydrated and healthy. Make sure there is plenty of clean water available at all times; provide water troughs or water bottles for your calves to drink from.
4. Vaccinate calves: some diseases, such as bovine tuberculosis (TB), can be fatal to calves if not treated early on in their development. Your veterinarian or feed store manager can recommend specific vaccinations for your herd’s climate and management practices.
If you're looking to improve calf health and performance, then it's important to understand the basics of diary calf development. By understanding how calves grow and develop, you can help optimize their growth and prevent common problems such as inflammation and poor blood flow.