January 2026

We all dream to win the lottery, and I can proudly say I have.. unfortunately only a measly $4.00 of winnings. Not exactly the “jackpot”, it didn’t benefit my finances in any impactful way. We can think of calf colostrum management as the lottery as well. Are all your calves receiving colostrum? Is it excellent and maximally impactful? Like my lottery winnings, just receiving any colostrum does not mean a calf has received impactful nutrients and immunity. Luckily, unlike playing the lottery, we have control over the quantity, quality and impact of our colostrum management. Calves are born with no antibodies (the basis of what makes up an immune system) as they do not pass to the calf through the bovine placenta like they would in other animals.

December 2025
Neonatal Calf diarrhea (NCD), also known as scours, remains one of the most significant health challenges in pre-weaned calves contributing to high treatment rate, risk of death, and decreased future productivity on both dairy and beef operations. Even mild cases can have long-term impacts on growth and overall performance. While diarrhea is often seen as an unavoidable part of calf rearing, most outbreaks can be linked to management factors that can be improved with the right attention to detail.

Here are 4 steps you can take when dealing with diarrhea to improve calf outcomes:

1. Review colostrum management. Ensure the colostrum being fed has at least 50g of immunoglobulins (IgG) per liter and limit bacterial contamination through clean handling practices such as feeding as soon as possible and IgG safe pasteurization (140 °F or 60 °C for 60 min). Calves should receive colostrum within the first 6 hours after birth.

December 2025
Diarrhea consistently throws a wrench into an already busy time of the year for calf managers whether said calves are black and white spotted, red, white, blue or any other variation. Preventing diarrhea before it strikes is one way to ensure animals can perform to their potential and reduce the already abundant workload during calving. A recent case study investigating a diarrhea outbreak on a UK dairy operation provided key insight on how refining colostrum management can make a major impact. When a dairy farmer noticed 100% of his calves aged 8 to 21 days were showing signs of diarrhea, they worked with their veterinarians to see what the cause could be and explore management changes to prevent future outbreaks.

November 2025

The first 24 hours of a calf’s life are the most critical. As we prepare for calving, taking inventory of the tools that need to be on hand should be top of mind before the first calf hits the ground. Make sure everything goes smooth this calving season by being prepared with our veterinarian-approved checklist.

Vet contact information: Add this number to your favorites list! Make sure they can be called as soon as possible if things so sideways.
Helpful tip* post the name and number of your vet on the fridge in the calving barn alongside your address or land location so anyone can acquire help during an emergency.
Post calving protocol: Talk to your vet before calving and develop a plan to deliver essential vaccines, vitamins, minerals or medications that should be given immediately post-calving or may be needed in the busy weeks to come. Be sure that any decided protocols including dosages, and medication/vitamin/vaccine names are clearly displayed for you and any staff or calving help to ensure consistent calf care.

October 2025
Farmers face growing pressures, and mental health is often overlooked in the conversation. But just as early intervention matters in mental wellness, it’s equally critical in calf care. This article explores how proper colostrum management not only builds stronger herds but also supports farmer wellbeing—highlighting prevention as a shared path to resilience.

September 2025
As the dairy industry continues to evolve under the pressure of antimicrobial resistance, producers are seeking alternatives to traditional antibiotic therapies, especially for common calfhood diseases like diarrhea. One promising solution is colostrum, not just as a preventive measure, but as an intervention during cases of diarrhea. Diarrhea remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in preweaned calves, often triggered by a complex interplay of environmental, management, and pathogenic factors. While prevention is paramount, ensuring adequate colostrum intake at birth, maintaining hygiene, and minimizing stress, supportive therapy is critical when diarrhea does occur.