In this episode, Hoard's Dairyman Associate Editor Jessica Miller reads the FARM-accredited article from the magazine titled, "Are you a calf feeder or a calf manager?" by Robert E. James.

The calf program has often been relegated to a lower priority for the dairy business, seen as a current expense with delayed impact on future income. However, with the use of genomics, sexed semen, and the increased value of dairy-beef animals and replacement heifers, there’s greater incentive to feed calves better to improve income and farm profit, whether from beef sales or improved health and production of females.

The episode explores the difference between a calf feeder and a calf manager. A calf feeder performs essential daily tasks, but a calf manager sets goals, analyzes data, evaluates resources, and allocates them successfully to raise calves that meet the farm’s economic needs. They identify bottlenecks, monitor performance, and may also perform feeder tasks but take responsibilities to the next level.

Key topics include setting goals using the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association Gold Standards, colostrum management, tracking health and growth, measuring daily gains, and adopting technology such as RFID tags and calf autofeeders to capture real-time data. Emphasis is placed on using timely, objective information to make decisions that improve calf health, survival, and long-term farm profitability.

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program helps to demonstrate dairy farmers' commitment to providing excellent care of their dairy cattle and producing safe, wholesome milk. Supported by Dairy Management, Inc. and managed by the National Milk Producers Federation, the FARM program details animal care guidelines using the latest science and the best management practices. FARM Animal Care standards outline annual continuing education requirements for family and non-family employees. Listening to these podcasts meets the continuing education standards. Farms can document their continuing education by using templates found on FARM's website. Visit nationaldairyfarm.com to learn more.

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