Most of the focus during the dry period is on preparing the cow for calving and her next lactation. However, emerging research suggests that dry cow ketones may also influence the calf’s rumen development and future performance. One important indicator is BHB (β-hydroxybutyrate), a ketone produced when cows experience negative energy balance. Even when cows […]

Get Ready for Total Calf 2026! Good Calves Don’t Happen by Accident-Unlocking Lifetime Value in Every Calf Following the success of last year’s Total Calf conference series, Total Calf is returning this October with an expanded line-up of practical calf-focused events across the UK and Northern Ireland.

Evidence-based practical guidance for dairy calf health, immunity, and performance  Inside this guide: ✔ Colostrum protocols✔ Transition milk research✔ Feeding schedules✔ Hygiene SOPs✔ Passive transfer monitoring✔ Practical calf health recommendations 1. Why Colostrum Matters Calves are born with little or no immunity and depend entirely on colostrum for passive transfer of antibodies. Good colostrum management […]

All the questions and answers from Dairy-Tech 2024, from weaning to how to prevent bullying behaviour amongst your calves.

Maintaining colostrum hygiene in robotic milking systems is vital for calf health and immune development. This article explores the risks of bacterial contamination, highlights research findings, and offers best practices for collecting and storing colostrum and transition milk in automated dairy operations.

Managing calves during Bluetongue movement restrictions requires strict hygiene, proper housing, and strong colostrum protocols. Learn how to protect your herd under movement restrictions.

Calf nutrition goes beyond crude protein levels. This article explains why amino acid balance, milk replacer ingredients, and processing methods are key to healthy growth. Learn how to choose a high-quality calf milk replacer that boosts early development and long-term dairy herd performance.

The awareness and importance of testing and feeding good-quality colostrum has become increasingly popular over the last few years. However, the colostrum storage and handling process is sometimes overlooked [...]

In a recent survey by Bonanza Calf Nutrition of 153 farmers, it was found that over 57% of the farmers only feed transition milk up to day five of the calf’s life, which aligns with the first 5-6 milkings after colostrum.

Growing numbers of farmers are understanding the value of transition milk to the health and future potential of their calves. A recent survey by Bonanza Calf Nutrition found that more than three quarters of the farmers who responded – 94 out of 123 participants – fed transition milk, the highly nutritious and immune-boosting milk produced […]