A challenging start for newborn male dairy calves, including transportation and mixing with unfamiliar animals, can drive higher antibiotic use. Could better communication with livestock buyers help inform farmers’ calf care practices? That’s one idea. A new project with Dr. Jessica Pempek, associate professor in the Department of Animal Science, and PI Dr. Greg Habing, with The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine, hopes to show producers the benefits of improved newborn calf care before they're sold.