| Hubbard Feeds

By Ellan Dufour, M.S., Jun 30, 2022

The summer heat is here, and it’s time for the cows to kick back with some icy drinks by the wading pool or sit inside under the protection of air conditioning units. Unfortunately, our cows don’t have an easy way of avoiding the heat and sun. Unless we offer them some heat abatement technology, such as fans, soakers or misters, they are stuck handling the heat throughout the day until…READ MORE ›

Calf Success: Setting calves up for a successful transition-monitoring calf starter intakes

By Ellan Dufour, M.S., Feb 08, 2022

What is an area you would like to improve in your calf raising? The chances are that the post-weaning transition phase comes to mind. The calf goes through many changes in the transition phase. READ MORE ›

Calf Success: Milk Replacer Ingredients and Additives

By Ellan Dufour, M.S., Oct 19, 2021

In the Unites States, most dairy heifers in the pre-weaning phase are fed milk replacer rather than whole milk. Some of the major considerations behind this management decision include convenience, consistency, biosecurity and economics. READ MORE ›

Calf Success: How do our heifers measure up? Comparing University of Minnesota–Waseca heifers to industry benchmarks

By Ellan Dufour, M.S., Feb 16, 2021

heifers represent the future potential of a dairy operation. Raising heifers is costly and labor-intensive, so improving efficiency can no doubt have a significant impact on the overall profitability of a dairy operation.READ MORE ›

Calf Success: New recommendations on passive immunity in dairy calves

By Ellan Dufour, M.S., Oct 21, 2020

Passive immunity in dairy calves is evaluated by measuring the serum total protein (STP) within the first 1 to 7 days of life. This measurement offers us information directly correlated to an individual calf’s immune status, their likeliness of morbidity and mortality, and the effectiveness of the colostrum management programs in place. READ MORE ›

Calf Success: Feeding whole milk to calves: Is this option right for you?

By Ellan Dufour, M.S., Jun 17, 2020

Whole milk can be an excellent source of nutrition for calves if managed correctly. Some of the most common questions we receive from producers using a whole milk program are: How much whole milk can I feed my calves? When and how should I be weaning my calves? And what can I expect in terms of calf performance? READ MORE ›

Calf Success: Newborn calf care - The first 72 hours

By Ellan Dufour, M.S., Feb 19, 2020

Superior calf performance begins during the birthing process and is followed by quality care of the newborn calf. READ MORE ›

Umbilical cord care for newborn calves

By Ellan Dufour, M.S., Nov 25, 2019

As is true for all mammals, the umbilical cord serves as the pathway from the dam’s bloodstream to the calf’s bloodstream and liver, offering nourishment and waste removal during gestation.READ MORE ›

Research update: Supplementing immunoglobulins in calf milk replacer

By Ellan Dufour, M.S., Aug 27, 2019

For both ethical and economic reasons, the push to reduce antibiotic use in calf-raising facilities continues to increase, and new research attempts to illustrate various ways that calf managers can implement realistic and sensible disease-prevention strategies in their calf raising programs.READ MORE ›