How to Minimize Stressors in Dairy Calves During the Preweaning Period

Dairy calves are faced with numerous stressors throughout the preweaning and weaning periods. This can contribute to increased morbidity, mortality, and suboptimal growth during prior to weaning, but can also impact later production performance and health. These animals include replacement heifers that are future members of the lactating herd. They should be the highest genetic potential animals on the farm. However, this potential can be compromised if special care is not taken to minimize stressors in the preweaning period. In this presentation, nutritional and management strategies will be discussed to help mitigate or reduce the effect of stressors on farm that will set calves up for future success within the herd.