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I have heard that there are cases where a cow conceives twins but loses one sometime early on. If it were a heifer/bull twinning the heifer is likely sterile with no evidence of a twin at birth. I doubt it would happen 3 times in the same year but just something interesting I heard. I don't even...

Curious where you got your information. It sounds nothing like what my vet told me.

I've been told that Land O Lakes is a top notch replacer. Nobody around my area handles it because it was quite expensive. Like all things though, you usually get what you pay for. Cutting corners on milk replacer will likely result in reduced gains and more sick calves.

The liquid feeds I have used use phosphoric acid as the limiter. It has a very bitter taste and discourages over consumption.

While that should be obvious I suppose it shouldn't be assumed that all would know that. The point I was making is that in most cases the calf is underfed and doesn't grow out well as a result. In order for a bottle calf to do well they need a good environment along with a proper nutrition...

Have you checked with your local feed mill? My local feed mill has a beef nutritionist hired and as long as you buy mineral and that sort of thing from them the nutritionist will do rations at no charge.

I realize you were successful in raising calves with your method. I've talked to many people that feed some sort of forage very early on and claim to have no problems. If that works, great. Everything I have read is saying that the first 56 days of life will determine the productivity of that...

I was simply making a point when I brought up the VFA's. Many times on these boards it is simply opinions that are stated. I agree nobody should have to worry about VFA's but it is proof that feeding forage too early is counterproductive. Contrary to what you say, forage is not what truly...

Generally speaking forage does less good and more bad for a calf. I just read a study that said a very small amount of forage didn't hinder growth but calves have no problems with straight grain so why bother with forage? The rumen develops when volatile fatty acids (VFA's) are produced from the...

Usually you get what you pay for. Yeah it's a lot of money and only you can decide if it is worth the added cost or not. Personally I don't see it as that out of line. I'm probably biased as I like my chelated minerals though. I am assuming it is the full package of chelated minerals though.

I would use nothing but a good chelated mineral. Inorganic forms work but are not nearly as bioavailable as their chelated counterparts. $5 may sound like a lot but if the recommended consumption is 4 ounces, that amounts to 2.5 cents more per cow per day.

Umm cost would be a pretty good reason to use it sparingly. Any good colostrum replacer is going to run $25-30 a pop. While I wouldn't hesitate to give colostrum replacer to a calf that obviously needs it, there is no way I would be running after 10, 20, 100 calves feeding them colostrum just in...

If you want a bottle calf to grow you have to give them the feed to do so. Calves will never grow well on 14% feed. They should be eating at the minimum 3 pounds of feed before weaning should be considered. The feed should be 18% protein as calves need lots of protein to grow properly...

I would say what is done is done. Can't do anything about it now. My concern would be acidosis from the grain, not only because they likely got a lot but because their rumen probably wasn't adjusted to it. Could have some feet problems as a result of laminitis. Then again they might show no...

I have always left the placenta alone. I've been told horror stories about cows getting pretty messed up in the uterus from pulling before it detaches. I guess I figure it is easier to treat an infection than it is to mend a tore up uterus.

I give them warm water. It seems they take to warm faster than cold since it is closer to the milk they are used to getting. Plus cold water would freeze up in no time this time of year. Keep fresh calf starter in front of him from day 1. Put just a small amount in and replace it every day to...

Give oxytocin if you catch them early on after calving. If it has been a day or so since they calved give them a shot of prostaglandin.

I had a high of 9!

I am assuming you are feeding 2 quarts per feeding? I have gone to 3 quarts for the first couple weeks and than 4 quarts and the calves do absolutely great. It is obviously more expensive but I have much healthier and faster growing calves. They seem to get onto starter similar to the way they...

Hey TB, would adding Zinpro make for issues with copper getting tied up, assuming he is using an inorganic form of copper? I use Zinpro but I also have a chelated version of copper. I have been told that zinc and copper should be fed at a ratio of 3:1 so that is why I ask since the zinc should...