2021 Dairy Star Spring Calf & Heifer Tab

DAIRY ST R SPRING

Calf & Heifer Special Edition

March 27, 2021

PHOTO BY KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR

Page 2 • Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021

DAIRY ST R www.dairystar.com

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Sales Manager - Joyce Frericks 320-352-6303 • joyce@dairystar.com Mark Klaphake (Western MN) 320-352-6303 (ofce) • 320-248-3196 (cell) Laura Seljan (National Advertising, SE MN) 507-250-2217 fax: 507-634-4413 laura.s@dairystar.com Jerry Nelson (SW MN, NW Iowa, South Dakota) 605-690-6260 jerry.n@dairystar.com Bob Leukam (Northern MN, East Central MN) 320-260-1248 (cell) bob.l@star-pub.com Mike Schafer (Central, South Central MN) 320-894-7825 mike.s@dairystar.com Amanda Hoeer (Eastern Iowa, NE WI) 320-250-2884 • amanda.h@dairystar.com Megan Stuessel (Western Wisconsin) 608-387-1202 • megan.s@dairystar.com Kati Kindschuh (Northeast WI and Upper MI) 920-979-5284 • kati.k@dairystar.com Deadlines The deadline for news and advertising in the Dairy Star is 5 p.m. Friday the week before publication.

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JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR

Larry Lahr and Jennifer Wagner-Lahr with their three children – (from leŌ) Ella, Izzy and Liam – raise 450 Holstein and Jersey heifers for two dairies on their farm near Cold Spring, Minnesota. The Lahrs started raising heifers in 2008.

Lahrs strive to raise problem-free heifers

By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com

COLD SPRING, Minn. – What began as a short-term x to a family’s need for more space has become a fulltime enterprise for the Lahrs.

Larry Lahr and Jennifer Wagner-Lahr raise 450 Jersey and Holstein heifers for two dairy farms, Wagner Dairy LLC of Litcheld and Mill Creek Dairy of Kimball.

“We started out so organically and took it one step further,” Larry said.

In 2008, Jennifer’s family was looking for a solution to their growing

heifer population and limited housing capacity on the farm. Already feeding the family’s bull calves, the couple offered to raise a group of 25 Jersey heifers.

That agreement was the start of Larry and Jennifer’s heifer raising enterprise.

Today, Jersey heifers arrive on the farm at 5 months of age. For the rst 30 days, they are housed in a small calf barn and then transitioned into the farm’s original milking barn that was retrotted with a bedded pack. At breeding age, the animals are relocated to a loang shed where they will stay until returning to the dairy at 100 days conrmed pregnant.

In 2018, the Lahrs began working with the Gregorys as one of two heifer raisers for the Holstein herd.

For this dairy, heifers arrive at 5 months of age and move off the Lahrs’ farm at 100 days conrmed pregnant.

The animals are housed in different pens throughout the loang shed, similar to the Jersey youngstock.

“Our goal here is to be problem free for both farms; that’s how I dene success,” Larry said. “We work with two outstanding dairies. They bring us good heifers and it’s my job to send them back just the same.”

Jennifer agreed.

“These animals are not ours, and we always have to keep that top of mind,” she said. “We don’t ever want to make a decision that will veer away from the (dairy) farms’ expectations. We really have to be in sync with one another.”

Turn to LAHRS | Page 3

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Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021 • Page 3

ConƟnued from LAHRS | Page 2

Calf Powder

JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR

A drive-by feed alley separates a loang shed and old dairy barn where heifers are housed at the Lahrs’ farm near Cold Spring, Minnesota. The animals are housed in groups based on their age and the dairy farm they belong to.

All heifers arrive with initial rounds of vaccinations complete. At the Lahrs’, the animals are vaccinated again and then bred.

“There are a lot of similarities between the farms, like the same nutritionist and working with the same A.I. company, but breeding is one of the processes that is a different approach for each farm,” Larry said.

The Holstein herd is bred with conventional semen. They are pregnancy checked twice and if not conrmed pregnant by 17 months of age are removed from the herd. The Jersey herd is bred with sexed semen twice before using conventional straws. Larry also adheres to an aggressive breeding program which includes CIDRs, ovsynching and lutalyse.

Every pen is walked daily for signs of heat and herd checked every two weeks.

When Larry and Jennifer rst started taking on heifers, Larry was working as the city administrator for Cold Spring. In 2010, he began farming full time, raising animals and crop farming with his brother, Randy.

The years that followed involved massive changes to the heifer raising enterprise.

“We started with silos and feeding with a wheel barrow,” Larry said. “And now our most recent upgrade was a forage pad.”

In 2018, Larry and Jennifer built an addition to complete the 320- by 48foot loang shed which now includes a manure pit on the far end. The addition gave space for heifers from Mill Creek Dairy.

“We built that addition with a plan,” Larry said. “One of the Gregorys’ heifer raisers were retiring. We were given

plenty of lead time to make arrangements for their animals.”

The improvements not only accommodated the needs for heifer raising, but also distributed the workload between the Lahrs and the dairy farmers. For example, in 2016, Larry installed headlocks along the feed bunk of the loang shed and began breeding the heifers.

The Lahrs also hired an employee who helps Larry complete day-to-day tasks on the farm.

“I want to absorb as much of the work as I can for the farmers,” Larry said. “When they work with us, I want it to be a matter of dropping the heifers off and coming back to put them on a trailer.”

Both Larry and Jennifer grew up milking cows, although it was not the most enjoyed chore for Larry.

“I loved caring for the animals but not necessarily milking them, so it’s not a coincidence I’ve found myself working with animals again,” he said. “It’s rewarding to be back to raising dairy.”

Jennifer agreed.

“We stumbled into this and it’s fed into our passion,” she said.

While Larry returned to the farm full time, Jennifer has continued her work as the senior director of commercialization at Minnesota’s Agricultural Utilization Research Institute. On the farm, she provides insight to her family’s heifer raising operation.

As the Lahrs consider their farm and the contributions they are making to area dairy farms, Larry and Jennifer also hope this enterprise provides them with a lifestyle their children can appreciate.

“This has allowed our kids to get Turn to LAHRS | Page 5

ATTENTION DAIRYMEN AND CALF RAISERS Calf raising can be fun times and also frustrating times and is one of the most important parts of a successful dairy operation. Those heifer calves are YOUR FUTURE!!!

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RECAL CALF POWDER is a probiotic focused toward putting huge numbers of good bacteria into the digestive tract of that calf to overwhelm the bad bacteria. To produce high levels of vitamin B-12 naturally in the calf which in return boosts appetite, immune system, aids in reducing stress levels and boosts energy levels for a more energetic, healthier calf that wants to eat and perform. This leads to more fun times raising calves with less drug costs. Now RECAL Calf Powder is no magic powder – good management and protocols still have to be in place.

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Breeding technician JusƟn Blunt walks a pen of Jersey heifers March 12 at the Lahrs’ farm near Cold Spring, Minnesota. Both dairies that the Lahrs raise heifers for work with Blunt.

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Page 4 • Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021

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Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021 • Page 5

ConƟnued from LAHRS | Page 3

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Employee Gerry Spoden feeds TMR to a group of Jersey heifers March 12 at the Lahrs’ farm near Cold Spring, Minnesota. The heifers on TMR all receive the same raƟon. involved in youth programs and get excited about agriculture,” Jennifer said.

Larry agreed.

“It’s exciting to think of what agriculture will become,” he said. “This is

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The scourge of scours Page 6 • Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021

Farming is a way of life that is often based on traditions. For example, most people choose the color of their tractor based on the tractor color the generation before them selected. For years, farmers have set up protocols based on previous protocols that worked for their farm in the past. But what is the denition for what is working? Is it working if nothing is getting worse? Is it working if everything stays the same?

Change can be scary, and it can be hard to take that leap. But, when it comes to scours, it does not seem traditional prevention is doing the trick. Something has to change, because during the past 20 years, we have not had many improvements.

A persistent nemesis, scours has been the top

cause of pre-weaning death for more than two decades. Scours mostly occurs within the rst month of age. There are many types of pathogens that can cause scours, with the three most common being E. Coli, coronavirus and rotavirus. These pathogens are typically found in the maternity pen or calf housing environment. At low levels, these pathogens do not create much of an issue, but once they build to a level that overwhelms a calf’s immune system, we start to see sick calves. These infected calves then shed more pathogens back into the environment, creating a vicious cycle.

Vaccinating cows ahead of calving with a scour vaccine has been the traditional way of mitigating

junior “My goal was to raise a really nice heifer and a really comfortable heifer with as little maintenance as we could.

We don’t use a single ounce of bedding on the waterbeds.

I think the waterbeds are the best for the heifers to lay down on for comfort and maintenance, rather than go to sand and have those complications.”

- Majestic View Dairy, Lancaster, WI, 500 heifers 460 DCC Waterbeds Junior

scour risks, but is it optimal? Why are we having the same problems we had 20 years ago?

While the science is sound, studies Calf Chronicles show farmers do not always achieve accurate vaccine implementation.

In order for a dam-level scours vaccine to work, a cow has to be vaccinated in the correct window of time, she has to respond to the vaccine, and then she has to calve

By Ellen Cushing during a specic time Columnist frame. These steps leave a lot of room for protocol drift and error. Most dam scours vaccines are contingent on the fact that you have to give two vaccinations to your heifers and then one annual booster every year after that to your cows. Meaningful antibody generation typically takes about 7-14 days after vaccination, and the mammary gland receptors are most efcient 2-3 weeks prior to calving. Because antibodies are not transferred in utero, the only way the calf can absorb them is through drinking colostrum within the rst 12 hours of birth. On top of all these potential timing issues, cows only respond to a vaccine under perfect conditions 80% of the time. Even if you vaccinate cows when the weather is ideal, and cows are nutritionally sound and not stressed, 20% of your calves will receive colostrum with inadequate antibody levels. Some of the cows that do respond will calve early or late, and therefore, they will not be at peak antibody concentration when they are producing colostrum.

So, why do farmers continue to use a form of prevention with so much variability?

Our industry is built on traditions, and vaccines seem to be rmly entrenched as the No. 1 tool for scours prevention. For more than 25 years, we have

I encourage you to iinvestigate i your options, and ask your veterinarian, nutritionist and other consultants about new and effective ways to develop the best disease prevention programs.

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relied on vaccinations to prevent scours despite little improvements. Today, farmers and veterinarians are learning more about other types of prevention, like preformed antibodies. Products containing pre-formed antibodies provide a guaranteed level of antibody protection for calves rather than a variable vaccine response. They also offer immediate immunity with high levels of antibodies against specic diseases, and they are given directly to the calf at birth around the same time as colostrum.

As we look through farming chronicles, we have become more efcient with technology, science and capabilities. Farmers have faced remarkable challenges and have shown we are stronger together.

When it comes to calves, I encourage you to investigate your options, and ask your veterinarian, nutritionist and other consultants about new and effective ways to develop the best disease prevention programs. In the next 20 years, I envision improved calf health, including a decrease in the incidence of pre-weaning scours deaths. Let’s rewrite the next chapter for our calves.

Ellen is the First Defense regional sales and marketing manager for Wisconsin and Minnesota.

She’s a problem solver who loves walking calf hutches and diagnosing protocol drift. A great day is a day spent helping dairy and beef farmers keep their baby calves healthy! Ellen can be reached at ecushing@ immucell.com.

Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021 • Page 7

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Page 8 • Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021

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Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021 • Page 9

Feeding to grow right Hoesly relies on consistency of milk replacer

By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com

BRODHEAD, Wis. – Twenty-ve years ago, the Hoeslys switched from feeding their calves whole milk to milk replacer; a decision they have yet to regret.

Todd and Trish Hoesly milk 60 registered Holsteins on their Green County dairy farm near Brodhead.

At any given time, there are 15 to 25 calves on milk.

“With our breeding program, we really strive for tall, framey calves that have the potential to make show calves and to go on and be high-type cows down the line,” Trish Hoesly said. “It is very important for us to get them off to a good start to build on that potential.”

Biosecurity was at the root of the decision to begin feeding milk replacer in 1996. Prior, they were feeding unpasteurized whole milk, which Hoesly said was sometimes either treated waste milk or fresh-cow milk.

“At that time, we were milking a number of grade recipient heifers that were carrying embryos,” Hoesly said. “We did not want to pass on any pathogens from those recipients, and back then on-farm pasteurizers were not common.”

The Hoeslys feel they can justify purchasing milk replacer versus the investment and maintenance costs of a

DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR

Trish and Todd Hoesly milk 60 head of registered Holsteins on their dairy farm near Brodhead, Wisconsin. They began feeding their calves milk replacer about 25 years ago in place of feeding whole milk, and have been pleased with the results. pasteurizer.

For the Hoeslys, purchasing milk replacer is the best option for their farm.

“For someone feeding many calves, the cost and labor can probably be more easily justied,” Hoesly said. “We are

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happy with the results we have with feeding milk replacer.”

Choosing a high-quality milk replacer is paramount, and Hoesly said she has been happy with the results feeding Amplier Max, a 22/20 milk replacer from Land O’ Lakes.

“It is critical to use the best quality product you can,” Hoesly said. “I like the Amplier Max because it is high fat and high protein. Yes, it might cost more, but in the end, I know I am Turn to HOESLYS | Page 10

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Page 10 • Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021

CLEAN WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE

ConƟnued from HOESLYS | Page 9

W I T H T H E P O W E R O F C H LO R I N E D I OX I D E

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With CD-114, I trust that we are putting our calves in a cleaner environment. If I can get a calf past the first two weeks, she is golden. If she struggles in those first two weeks, she will have continual problems. We see less problems since we began using it.

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Trish Hoesly mixes milk replacer to feed calves on her farm near Brodhead, Wisconsin. Consistency of the milk replacer is one of the benets that Hoesly appreciates in using it. getting the best quality for my calves.

And in the last 25 years, calf growth and health has never been an issue.”

Consistency is the second key to Hoesly’s calf-raising and is one of the reasons she appreciates her milk replacer after 25 years of use.

“The calves absolutely thrive on the consistency,” Hoesly said. “I don’t have to worry about the change in solids from day to day or the effects of feed any treated or high (somatic) cell count milk to the calves. I love that it is always the same.”

Part of maintaining that consistency is ensuring the milk replacer is properly mixed each and every feeding, something Hoesly takes great pains to do.

“I have a pitcher marked off in the appropriate servings to measure out the powder,” she said. “I mix in 5 gallon pails that are also marked out in the number of servings. I use a thermometer to assure that I am mixing and feeding at the appropriate temperatures.”

Turn to HOESLYS | Page 11

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Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021 • Page 11

ConƟnued from HOESLYS | Page 10

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Trish Hoesly feeds grain to weaned youngstock. The Hoeslys milk 60 registered Holsteins on their farm near Brodhead, Wisconsin.

Each calf is fed 2 quarts twice daily, and the calves are housed in individual 4-by-8 pens in an open-faced shed.

The solid foundation the Hoeslys hope to provide their calves starts at birth. Calf Guard is administered at birth for rotavirus and coronavirus protection, as well as Inforce 3 for respiratory protection; and navels are dipped with 7% tincture iodine.

A gallon of colostrum is fed within the rst few hours of life and another 2 quarts at the next feeding, and then switched to milk replacer. Hoesly bottle

feeds calves for about the rst ve days before switching them to pails. Fresh water is made available and calves are introduced to an 18% calf starter during the rst week. Good quality, dry hay is gradually introduced at approximately 2 months of age. The calves are kept on milk replacer until they are weaned at 3 months of age.

“I love how vigorous and energetic my calves are and how good my overall calf health is,” Hoesly said. “In our size operation, I would denitely never go back to feeding whole milk.”

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Page 12 • Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021

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Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021 • Page 13

How to raise a cheaper heifer Heinrichs presents strategies to minimize costs

By Danna Sabolik Contributing Writer

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January 2009, there are a few years where prices were stable, but since then, the value of a calf or heifer has been in a steady decline,” Heinrichs said. “To buy calves, raise and sell them isn’t worth it right now without a special market.”

In addition to the poor outlook for heifers, cull cows are also of low value. In January, the cull market price indicated a range of $0.57 to $0.65 per pound.

“The bottom line is when you sell a cow and put a rst calf heifer Jud Heinrichs your herd, Pennsylvania State in University there’s a $900 to $1,300 difference,” Heinrichs said. “And, you’ll get 15% less milk production, given all else is similar.”

Based on a multiple component analysis Heinrichs contributed to in 2000, the No. 1 thing that effects prot is the herd culling rate.

“If I were to go from a 40% to 20% cull rate through my management, I can potentially reduce costs on my dairy by 25%,” Heinrichs said. “That’s a huge component that can be managed by the grower.”

Another component Heinrichs studied was the age at rst calving.

“If we reduce the age at rst calving by one month, that can reduce a little

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One of the highest costs on dairies is the cost to raise heifers. Fortunately, this is a cost that can be managed to better serve the farm.

Jud Heinrichs, professor of dairy nutrition at Pennsylvania State University, talked about strategies to improve heifer raising costs in a webinar Feb. 15 as part of the 2021 Carver County Dairy Expo.

He covered what it costs to raise an average heifer and the opportunities farmers have to minimize costs.

With data from 2019, Heinrichs calculated the average cost of raising a calf from birth to rst calving to be $2,025. All data was based off his home state of Pennsylvania, but looking at costs, he estimated the numbers in the Upper Midwest would be similar.

“Forage costs will vary, but based on market value, we could sell the animal or feed it out,” Heinrichs said about a calf’s value. “On average, a bred heifer will sell for $1,300, meaning you’re barely breaking even or losing money to raise it yourself.”

On a typical farm, raising and selling a heifer will lose the grower $800 to $1,000 per heifer, Heinrichs said. If the heifer is short bred or open, it will be of even lesser value.

“Overall prices, if I look from

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Page 14 • Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021

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ConƟnued from HEINRICHS | Page 13 over 4% of costs,” Heinrichs said.

He said there are studies and research that indicate heifers can handle a rst calving at 23 or 22 months, on average, and not lose any milk production.

“By all means, not every heifer should be calving at 22 months,” Heinrichs said. “But, if 22 point something months is your average, that’s a good number to shoot for.”

Increasing conception rates in cattle is another factor that is changing and affecting protability.

“Pregnancy rates are increasing, meaning calving interval is going down,” Heinrichs said.

“With reproduction management, that is something that won’t need to be culled for.”

Also, farms are investing more in feet and leg quality when selecting genetics for breeding as well as when focusing on cow comfort.

“Another place we’re seeing less culling is with feet and leg issues,” Heinrichs said. “Farmers are spending money on stalls, footbaths and oor mats.”

The reasons for culling are not what they were ve or eight years ago, Heinrichs said. Overall mastitis rates are declining, and a healthier, older herd is becoming more viable.

“With a lower cull rate and low age of rst calving, you’ll have a decreased number of heifers needed,” Heinrichs said.

This will alter a dairy’s breeding program and youngstock supply.

“There will be more room in the youngstock pens, calf housing like hutches can be left to sit empty for a few weeks to reduce the spread of bacteria and some issues we see like that when there is calf after calf in the same unit,” Heinrichs said.

Farms he works with are pushing under 60 heifers for every 100 cows. Heinrichs said any farm can handle raising under 70 heifers per 100 cows.

“Do not raise any more than you need,” he said.

The cost of raising calves varies depending on the age and stage of development of the calf.

“A pre-weaned calf is the most expensive cost on a dairy farm,” Heinrichs said. “If you look at a chart

“It used to be said the more you feed them young, the more production you get later in life. That’s not true anymore. So much of their production relies on their genetics and feed efficiency.”

JUD HEINRICHS, PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

based on age category and what it costs to raise a heifer, the young calf’s cost is outrageous.”

However, the next age category up of a calf just after weaning is the cheapest cost per day of a replacement animal. Heinrichs discussed how to bridge the gap and decrease the cost of the former, while increasing the age range of the latter.

“It’s a management decision on when to wean,” Heinrichs said. “I know farmers who wean at 12 weeks and others do at 6 weeks.”

According to the United States Department of Agriculture in 2014, most farms wean dairy calves at 8 weeks.

It costs, on average, $0.25 per calf per day for calf feed, and $1.70 for labor for pre-weaned animals.

When farms adjusted management to wean younger, there was a $3.23 per calf per day difference of saved cash.

“In 2014, 31% of operations were weaning at 9 weeks or later,” Heinrichs said. “Some at 12 weeks or more. That is more than $3 a day for that three to six more weeks.”

In addition to younger weaning, Heinrichs said feeding systems also matter.

“It used to be said the more you feed them young, the more production you’ll get later in life,” Heinrichs said. “That’s not true anymore. So much of their production relies on their genetics and feed efciency.”

It is important to feed a high component starch ration to give the rumen the best development, Heinrichs said.

Capitalizing on the ruminant nature of the animal will allow feed costs to be more economical and overall lead to better production, Heinrichs said.

Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021 • Page 15

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Page 16 • Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021

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Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021 • Page 17

Calves at the forefront

Panel shares ways they make youngstock care a priority

By Maria Bichler Contributing Writer

Caring for the youngest animals on the dairy farm often takes time, attention to detail and a commitment to offering superb management. That commitment, however, pays dividends throughout the productive life of a dairy’s newest members.

Ermith Ocampo and Stacy Jauquet spoke on calf care techniques, record-keeping systems and working with their employees during a virtual Professional Dairy Producers The Dairy Signal presentation entitled “All things calves” Jan. 20.

Ocampo is a livestock director at Milk Source LLC of Kaukauna, Wisconsin. Milk Source operates dairy farms in Wisconsin, Michigan and Missouri, and a Wisconsin calf farm and heifer-raising facility

where Ocampo oversees animal health.

“Those animals are the future of the company, and we want to be sustainable so we put a lot into trying to nd the best ways to care for that calf and raise a healthy calf,” Ocampo said.

Jauquet and her husband, Dave, milk 650 Holsteins at Jauquet’s Hillview Dairy LLC near Luxemburg, Wisconsin.

“We take great pride in our calves,” Jauquet said. “It’s almost like the world stops Stacy Jauquet turning when a calf is being born, and you make that pledge Hillview Dairy to be that calf’s mom. I do LLC everything in my part to make sure she can achieve her genetic potential and to live the healthiest life possible and the happiest life.”

At Milk Source, 10,500 calves are brought from

various farms to be raised at one site. The calves are raised until around 6 months old before being transferred to facilities out of state.

“It’s a lot of people involved in this, but we try to have a lot of communication and work together to raise this many animals and raise a healthy animal,” Ocampo said.

Newborn calves at Milk Source spend the rst 20 minutes after birth with their dam so the mother can stimulate and dry off the calf. Then, the calf is

“It’s a lot of people involved in this, but we try to have a lot of communication and work together to raise this many animals and raise a healthy animal.”

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separated into a hutch with a heat lamp, and a calf jacket is placed on the animal. Within an hour of being born, the calf is given 1 gallon of pasteurized colostrum, and eight hours later, the calf is given another half-gallon of colostrum. Calf jackets are worn for the rst 3 weeks of life and are switched as needed to ensure a dry jacket is used.

Calves stay in hutches for 68 days and are given pails of milk, water and starter grain. During cold winter months, milk is delivered at 112-115 degrees with the ideal temperature for drinking aimed to be 103 degrees.

“We try to stay very consistent on the amount we deliver, the timing and the temperature,” Ocampo said. “We try to minimize changes as much as we can. We feed different amounts based on age until the calf gets weaned.”

At Jauquet’s Hillview Dairy, newborn calves are attended to immediately after birth.

“Our goal is to get colostrum into them within 45 minutes,” Jauquet said.

The calf is stimulated and dried off before being placed in a heated hutch. The amount of time spent in the heated hutch depends on the season, the time of day the calf was born, and how long it takes for the calf to become dry. In severe weather, the Jauquets use ear muffs, ski masks and calf jackets to ensure calves regulate their body temperature.

During the brutally cold winter days, Jauquet said they deliver 180-degree water to the calves’ Turn to PANEL | Page 19

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Page 18 • Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021

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ConƟnued from PANEL | Page 18

pails to take the frost out of the pail.

Then, milk is delivered at 113-114 degrees.

“My goal for feeding temperature is 106 degrees so those calves aren’t using their body and their calories to warm up what I just fed them,” Jauquet said.

Jauquet said a handful of starter grain is given on day No. 3, and the amount is increased as the calves grow. The three-week weaning process begins at 56 days old.

development and easier transition to the weaning barn.”

Both Jauquet and Ocampo said their record keeping systems are an asset to their respective farms.

Jauquet enters information into DairyComp. This information is then able to be transferred to the grower when the animals reach 5 months of age.

Ocampo said BoviSync is used at all Milk Source sites, and all the animals wear RFID tags. He said the information is critical to “I am a rm believer in grain help monitor management health of the animals consumption. I’d rather see and as they move between housing stages. them eating more grain for various The two producers the critical rumen development and noted component their employees play in taking easier transition to the care of youngstock.

This includes adequate weaning barn.” training so employees can STACY JAUQUET, HILLVIEW DAIRY LLC reach their full potential.

“Our motto is that “They have two weeks of half they learn something new every feeding morning and night, and that day and keep adding value to last week they get a half feeding themselves,” Ocampo said. “They in either the morning or evening,” have an opportunity with us to learn Jauquet said. “I did denitely see and grow, … and we want them to an increase in grain intake in those feel they belong to a team. They can calves. I am a rm believer in bring ideas and have big impacts on grain consumption. I’d rather see the end result.” them eating more grain for rumen

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“One of the biggest benefits to us of having the automatic calf feeder has been being able to eliminate a person bottle feeding 90-100 calves twice a day. We are also able to wean the calves earlier and still produce larger calves at weaning since switching to the automatic calf feeder. Additionally, we have received great support from Fuller’s Milker Center.”

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Page 20 • Dairy Star Special Edition • Saturday, March 27, 2021

What you do for your calves today, will impact a lifetime.

We can help you with calf raising strategies and solutions for: Successful passive transfer T 5IF DSJUJDBM ȍSTU EBZT T Strategic liquid feeding programs T Management and environmental events T Preventative and treatment strategies T

Contact your local cooperative’s calf care specialist to learn more today!

Kayla Frieler

Minnesota and North Dakota 1IPOF

Email: kfrieler@mnss.coop

Kayle Jakus

South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois 1IPOF

Email: kjakus@ssmidamerica.com

Minnesota/Select Sires Co-op, Inc. 1IPOF

Select Sires MidAmerica, Inc. 1IPOF

®Build A Better Heifer and Your Success Our Passion. are registered trademarks of Select Sires Inc. Buyer assumes all responsibility for use, storage and handling of these products. All claims, representations, and warranties, expressed or implied, are made only by the company responsible for manufacturing and not by Select Sires Inc., its member cooperatives, its agents or employees.