WEBVTT 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:15.060 Breaking free from the chains of the past Where 00:00:15.060 --> 00:00:18.820 truth moves faster than a Holstein calf No law 00:00:18.820 --> 00:00:21.660 waiting on some printed page We're charting new 00:00:21.660 --> 00:00:25.300 ground in the digital age From genomic codes 00:00:25.300 --> 00:00:29.120 to robot facts We cut through the noise, no hold 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:32.460 them back not your daddy's dairy news tonight 00:00:32.460 --> 00:01:02.969 we're sparking Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast, 00:01:03.450 --> 00:01:05.950 where we tackle the dairy industry's biggest 00:01:05.950 --> 00:01:09.569 challenges with bold insights and evidence -based 00:01:09.569 --> 00:01:12.469 solutions. If you're tired of conventional wisdom 00:01:12.469 --> 00:01:14.730 that's keeping your operation from reaching its 00:01:14.730 --> 00:01:18.569 full potential, you're in the right place. Today, 00:01:18.750 --> 00:01:21.090 we're diving deep into what might be the most 00:01:21.090 --> 00:01:24.489 overlooked profit center on your dairy, your 00:01:24.489 --> 00:01:26.950 pre -weaning calf program. We're talking about 00:01:26.950 --> 00:01:29.810 research that shows how those first 60 days can 00:01:29.810 --> 00:01:32.530 literally add over a thousand pounds of milk 00:01:32.530 --> 00:01:36.189 per lactation to each animal. That's not hype. 00:01:36.290 --> 00:01:39.349 That's hard science from Cornell University and 00:01:39.349 --> 00:01:42.209 industry leaders who've cracked the code on maximizing 00:01:42.209 --> 00:01:45.510 calf performance. If you've ever wondered why 00:01:45.510 --> 00:01:48.049 some operations consistently outperform others, 00:01:48.250 --> 00:01:51.069 or if you're ready to turn your calf barn into 00:01:51.069 --> 00:01:54.890 a profit engine instead of a cost center, This 00:01:54.890 --> 00:01:57.209 episode is going to change how you think about 00:01:57.209 --> 00:02:00.849 early calf management. Let's get started. Welcome 00:02:00.849 --> 00:02:03.469 to the deep dive. Today we're tackling something 00:02:03.469 --> 00:02:06.469 really foundational for your dairy's bottom line. 00:02:06.489 --> 00:02:09.150 That's the, well, the often underestimated power 00:02:09.150 --> 00:02:12.349 of early calf performance. We've got a really 00:02:12.349 --> 00:02:14.370 interesting article here from The Bullvine that 00:02:14.370 --> 00:02:17.090 digs into the science. And we're going to pull 00:02:17.090 --> 00:02:19.349 out the key insights for you. Our mission today, 00:02:19.530 --> 00:02:22.610 really unpack the research in this piece. It 00:02:22.610 --> 00:02:25.129 argues pretty convincingly that those first 60 00:02:25.129 --> 00:02:27.710 days, they're not just about raising a calf. 00:02:27.830 --> 00:02:29.610 They're about building a future profit engine 00:02:29.610 --> 00:02:32.150 for your operation. Might challenge how you think 00:02:32.150 --> 00:02:34.590 about things, but the data is strong. Let's get 00:02:34.590 --> 00:02:36.490 into it. Yeah. And what's really fascinating 00:02:36.490 --> 00:02:38.810 looking at this Bullvine article is how clearly 00:02:38.810 --> 00:02:41.300 it draws that line. That line between early calf 00:02:41.300 --> 00:02:43.599 performance, specifically average daily gain 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:47.199 or ADG, before weaning and, well, actual dollars 00:02:47.199 --> 00:02:49.919 and cents years later. It really shifts the view, 00:02:49.979 --> 00:02:52.360 doesn't it? Calf raising isn't just a cost. It's 00:02:52.360 --> 00:02:54.180 maybe one of the smartest investments you can 00:02:54.180 --> 00:02:56.400 make right now. OK, let's unpack that connection 00:02:56.400 --> 00:02:59.280 then. The article puts pre -weaning ADG right 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:02.000 out front. calls it the key driver for milk production 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:05.800 for profit. That's a pretty bold claim. What's 00:03:05.800 --> 00:03:07.560 the research actually showing? Well, this is 00:03:07.560 --> 00:03:08.819 where it gets really interesting. The numbers 00:03:08.819 --> 00:03:11.659 they cite, particularly from some long -term 00:03:11.659 --> 00:03:13.919 work out of Cornell, they show this incredible 00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:17.500 relationship. Get this. For every one kilogram 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:20.900 increase in pre -weaning ADG, that's about 2 00:03:20.900 --> 00:03:24.919 .2 pounds. For us, those heifers produced an 00:03:24.919 --> 00:03:29.129 extra 850 kilograms of milk. in their first lactation 00:03:29.129 --> 00:03:32.409 alone. Wow. Hang on, let me translate that. So 00:03:32.409 --> 00:03:35.250 for every pound of extra daily gain you get before 00:03:35.250 --> 00:03:39.069 weaning, you're looking at, what, roughly 1 ,870 00:03:39.069 --> 00:03:41.449 pounds more milk in that first lactation. That's 00:03:41.449 --> 00:03:43.129 the number. It's pretty staggering when you think 00:03:43.129 --> 00:03:45.030 about it that way. Incredible. Yeah. And the 00:03:45.030 --> 00:03:46.750 Bullvine article pointed out something else interesting. 00:03:46.930 --> 00:03:48.990 In commercial farm settings, the effect seemed 00:03:48.990 --> 00:03:51.110 even stronger. They mentioned studies showing 00:03:51.110 --> 00:03:53.949 over 1 ,100 pounds more milk per pound of pre 00:03:53.949 --> 00:03:57.759 -weaning ADG. So the real -world impact. It might 00:03:57.759 --> 00:03:59.939 be even bigger than the controlled studies. And 00:03:59.939 --> 00:04:01.840 it's not just the milk check, is it? The article 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:04.500 mentioned other economic benefits, too. Oh, absolutely. 00:04:04.939 --> 00:04:07.479 Calves that grow faster, they hit breeding size 00:04:07.479 --> 00:04:09.280 sooner, right? So you can get them bred earlier. 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:12.780 That shortens the time to first calving, cuts 00:04:12.780 --> 00:04:15.000 down that whole nonproductive rearing period, 00:04:15.080 --> 00:04:17.519 which, you know, costs... real money every day. 00:04:17.779 --> 00:04:21.180 Plus, the research is clear. These faster -growing, 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:24.079 healthier calves, they're much, much less likely 00:04:24.079 --> 00:04:26.100 to be culled before they even get a chance to 00:04:26.100 --> 00:04:28.660 milk and pay you back. Okay, so just how much 00:04:28.660 --> 00:04:31.620 sway does this early period have? What percentage 00:04:31.620 --> 00:04:33.779 of our future production is kind of locked in 00:04:33.779 --> 00:04:36.819 early? The Cornell research cited. It concluded 00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:40.480 that pre -weaning ADG alone explained about 22 00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:43.399 % of the variation in first lactation milk yield. 00:04:44.009 --> 00:04:46.350 Think about that. Almost a quarter of her production 00:04:46.350 --> 00:04:49.569 potential. Heavily influenced, maybe even set, 00:04:49.730 --> 00:04:53.029 before she's even weaned. 22%. Wow, that's huge 00:04:53.029 --> 00:04:55.829 for just, what, 60 days? Exactly. It really highlights 00:04:55.829 --> 00:04:58.490 the leverage you have in that early phase. So 00:04:58.490 --> 00:05:00.350 what should farmers be shooting for then? What's 00:05:00.350 --> 00:05:02.829 the target ADG according to this research? Well, 00:05:02.910 --> 00:05:05.290 the NIHMS dairy study findings mentioned in the 00:05:05.290 --> 00:05:08.009 article, they suggest that excellent growth means 00:05:08.009 --> 00:05:11.189 exceeding 1 .8 pounds per day. That's about... 00:05:11.610 --> 00:05:15.050 1 .82 kilos, falling consistently below that. 00:05:15.149 --> 00:05:17.670 The data indicates they're just much less likely 00:05:17.670 --> 00:05:20.589 to hit their genetic ceiling for milk. 1 .8 pounds 00:05:20.589 --> 00:05:23.730 a day. Yeah. And it really raises a key question, 00:05:23.810 --> 00:05:26.470 doesn't it? Are you actually tracking your calves 00:05:26.470 --> 00:05:29.930 ADG, weighing them? Because, you know, if you 00:05:29.930 --> 00:05:32.269 don't have that number, it's really hard to know 00:05:32.269 --> 00:05:34.649 if you're hitting that target or where you might 00:05:34.649 --> 00:05:37.110 need to improve. You can't manage what you don't 00:05:37.110 --> 00:05:39.930 measure. Very true. Okay, let's shift to the 00:05:39.930 --> 00:05:42.610 foundation. If you want that growth, the Bullvine 00:05:42.610 --> 00:05:45.129 article, like pretty much everyone, points straight 00:05:45.129 --> 00:05:48.149 to colostrum, calls it liquid gold. And rightly 00:05:48.149 --> 00:05:50.790 so. The article makes a great point. Good colostrum 00:05:50.790 --> 00:05:52.350 management is not just about immunity, though 00:05:52.350 --> 00:05:54.230 that's obviously critical. It actually helps 00:05:54.230 --> 00:05:56.689 program metabolic pathways, growth pathways, 00:05:56.829 --> 00:05:59.370 things that affect that calf's health and productivity 00:05:59.370 --> 00:06:01.930 for her entire life. It's like setting the defaults 00:06:01.930 --> 00:06:04.810 for future performance. And with colostrum, timing 00:06:04.810 --> 00:06:07.230 is, well, it's everything, right? Absolutely 00:06:07.230 --> 00:06:10.279 critical. The research they discuss hammers this 00:06:10.279 --> 00:06:13.259 home. One gallon of quality colostrum within 00:06:13.259 --> 00:06:15.500 the first four hours. That absorption window 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:18.079 closes fast. One gallon, four hours. And then 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:20.339 they recommend following up. Another two quarts 00:06:20.339 --> 00:06:22.959 at the second feeding. just to really make sure 00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:25.319 you've established that strong base. Okay, but 00:06:25.319 --> 00:06:27.980 it's not just volume. Quality matters, too. The 00:06:27.980 --> 00:06:30.540 article mentions bricks testing. Exactly. You 00:06:30.540 --> 00:06:32.379 can give the volume, but the quality isn't there. 00:06:32.500 --> 00:06:34.680 So yeah, measuring bricks with a refractometer 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:37.439 is key. The standard you're shooting for, based 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:41.040 on the research, is at least 22 -23%. That tells 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:43.639 you about the concentration of those vital immunoglobulins. 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:46.399 Higher bricks, more protective power. Precisely. 00:06:46.649 --> 00:06:49.209 More antibodies, more growth factors. And interestingly, 00:06:49.370 --> 00:06:52.170 the article even cited a study where giving a 00:06:52.170 --> 00:06:54.610 supplemental colostrum feeding like 12 to 16 00:06:54.610 --> 00:06:57.949 hours later actually improved serum protein levels 00:06:57.949 --> 00:07:00.470 in the calves. Ah, so better transfer even later 00:07:00.470 --> 00:07:02.550 on? Yeah, suggesting maybe that window isn't 00:07:02.550 --> 00:07:04.889 quite as hard closed as we sometimes think or 00:07:04.889 --> 00:07:07.350 that topping them up helps. Point is, healthier 00:07:07.350 --> 00:07:09.310 calves have more energy to put towards growth, 00:07:09.470 --> 00:07:11.959 not fighting off bugs. And there was some really 00:07:11.959 --> 00:07:14.699 intriguing stuff in there about colostrum maybe 00:07:14.699 --> 00:07:17.040 doing more than just prevention. Yes, this is 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:19.459 quite exciting. There's emerging evidence cited 00:07:19.459 --> 00:07:21.600 in the article that suggests colostrum might 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:24.720 play a dual role, not as preventing scours, but 00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:26.800 potentially acting as a treatment, too, which 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:28.759 could, you know, help reduce antibiotic use. 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:31.819 A treatment? How so? Well, think about what's 00:07:31.819 --> 00:07:34.959 in it. Over 100 times the antibodies of regular 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:39.560 milk, sure, but also vitamins. minerals, bioactive 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:42.800 compounds, things like lactoferrin, oligosaccharides. 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:45.019 These components can actively fight pathogens, 00:07:45.220 --> 00:07:47.759 reduce inflammation in the gut, support beneficial 00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:49.959 bacteria. So it's got this therapeutic potential 00:07:49.959 --> 00:07:52.220 built right in the tool you already have on farm. 00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:54.879 That's fascinating. OK, but even with perfect 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:57.980 colostrum, calves get sick. And the article points 00:07:57.980 --> 00:08:02.540 to scours and respiratory disease as major roadblocks 00:08:02.540 --> 00:08:04.500 to that ADG. Oh, they're huge profit killers. 00:08:04.699 --> 00:08:07.420 The numbers cited are pretty stark. Scours accounts 00:08:07.420 --> 00:08:09.360 for something like 56 percent of illness before 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:12.319 weaning and worse, 32 percent of deaths. Almost 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:15.259 a third of deaths from scours. Wow. And even 00:08:15.259 --> 00:08:17.959 if they survive, the impact lingers. It absolutely 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:20.040 does. That's a crucial point the article makes. 00:08:20.860 --> 00:08:23.399 The long -term cost is significant. Research 00:08:23.399 --> 00:08:26.720 shows heifers that had scours early on, they 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:29.759 gained about 50 grams less per day throughout 00:08:29.759 --> 00:08:32.240 their entire growing period. 50 grams less every 00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:35.899 day? Yeah, and then about 10 % lower milk in 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:38.379 their first lactation. And they're three times 00:08:38.379 --> 00:08:41.460 more likely to calve after 30 months old. Think 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:43.419 about the cost of feeding that heifer for extra 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:46.580 months with no return. Ouch. Okay, and what about 00:08:46.580 --> 00:08:49.559 antibiotics for scours? The article had some 00:08:49.559 --> 00:08:51.759 thoughts there. It did. It noted that in the 00:08:51.759 --> 00:08:54.460 U .S., something like 75 % of Scour's cases get 00:08:54.460 --> 00:08:57.620 antibiotics. But the concern is many cases aren't 00:08:57.620 --> 00:08:59.980 bacterial. They're viral or protozoal, like crypto. 00:09:00.100 --> 00:09:01.879 So the antibiotics aren't hitting the cause. 00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:03.879 Right. And meanwhile, they can mess with the 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:06.399 calf's gut microbiome, which might impact digestion 00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:08.460 and growth later on. But there is a positive 00:09:08.460 --> 00:09:11.740 note, too. Yes. Again, pointing back to colostrum, 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:14.259 a study mentioned showed that adding dried colostrum 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:16.159 to milk replacer cut the need for antibiotic 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:19.360 treatments by more than half. So another potential 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:22.279 benefit there. Okay. The other big one was respiratory 00:09:22.279 --> 00:09:26.360 disease. The silent profit killer. Yes, silent 00:09:26.360 --> 00:09:28.799 because you might not see dramatic signs, but 00:09:28.799 --> 00:09:32.179 it's dragging down performance. The article highlighted 00:09:32.179 --> 00:09:34.919 studies showing just how common lung consolidation, 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:38.279 basically lung damage is, even subclinically. 00:09:38.829 --> 00:09:41.309 And calves with uncured or chronic pneumonia, 00:09:41.649 --> 00:09:43.950 they're ADG tanks compared to healthy pen mates. 00:09:44.090 --> 00:09:47.509 We're talking like 930 grams a day versus over 00:09:47.509 --> 00:09:50.129 1 ,100. Big difference. And if they come in with 00:09:50.129 --> 00:09:52.470 lung issues already, they're kind of set up for 00:09:52.470 --> 00:09:54.820 failure. That's what the data suggests. One study 00:09:54.820 --> 00:09:56.879 showed they were over four times more likely 00:09:56.879 --> 00:09:59.279 to end up with chronic pneumonia later. And their 00:09:59.279 --> 00:10:01.960 starting ADG was lower, too. So management right 00:10:01.960 --> 00:10:04.740 at arrival or maybe sourcing becomes critical. 00:10:04.940 --> 00:10:06.860 Exactly. And the article mentioned tools that 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:09.399 can help, like using quick thoracic ultrasonography, 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:12.799 QTUS, to screen calves. Find those subclinical 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:15.000 lung issues early. Intervene proactively before 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:17.539 that growth potential is just gone. Protecting 00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:19.500 lung health is absolutely vital for hitting those 00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:22.049 ADG targets. Okay, so we've covered colostrum, 00:10:22.110 --> 00:10:24.789 we've covered battling disease. What about the 00:10:24.789 --> 00:10:28.110 day -to -day, the practical feeding and management 00:10:28.110 --> 00:10:30.649 stuff the article suggests for really boosting 00:10:30.649 --> 00:10:34.070 that ADG? Right, the nuts and bolts. Precision 00:10:34.070 --> 00:10:36.429 feeding is a big one. The research is really 00:10:36.429 --> 00:10:39.350 clear here. Calves need way more than just maintenance 00:10:39.350 --> 00:10:41.509 calories if you want that kind of growth. The 00:10:41.509 --> 00:10:45.009 article recommends aiming for levels like one 00:10:45.009 --> 00:10:48.129 gallon twice daily. Or maybe three quarts three 00:10:48.129 --> 00:10:50.669 times a day, right from day two. You've got to 00:10:50.669 --> 00:10:52.809 fuel the growth, not just keep them alive. And 00:10:52.809 --> 00:10:55.210 does what you feed make a difference? Whole milk 00:10:55.210 --> 00:10:58.190 versus replacer? It seems to, yeah. The Bullvine 00:10:58.190 --> 00:11:00.590 article discussed findings where calves on whole 00:11:00.590 --> 00:11:03.149 milk gained about 0 .1 kilos, or that's 0 .22 00:11:03.149 --> 00:11:05.929 pounds more per day compared to standard replacer. 00:11:06.009 --> 00:11:08.990 Okay. Likely the higher fat, harder solids. That's 00:11:08.990 --> 00:11:11.590 the thinking. Just more nutrient dense. Now, 00:11:11.629 --> 00:11:13.450 if you are using a replacer, the protein level 00:11:13.450 --> 00:11:15.029 is really critical, according to the article. 00:11:15.149 --> 00:11:17.629 The research suggests aiming higher, like 25 00:11:17.629 --> 00:11:20.610 % protein or even more, those standard 20 % protein 00:11:20.610 --> 00:11:22.590 replacers. They just don't support that optimal 00:11:22.590 --> 00:11:24.309 growth rate as well, even if you feed the same 00:11:24.309 --> 00:11:27.610 volume. Good point. So higher protein if using 00:11:27.610 --> 00:11:31.389 replacer. What else? Pasteurization. Even for 00:11:31.389 --> 00:11:33.669 whole milk, it provides a small but measurable 00:11:33.669 --> 00:11:38.190 ADG boost about... 0 .03 kilos or 0 .066 pounds 00:11:38.190 --> 00:11:40.490 per day, according to the data cited. Interesting. 00:11:40.570 --> 00:11:42.610 And what about the environment, the calf housing, 00:11:42.830 --> 00:11:45.889 bedding? Does that stuff actually impact gain? 00:11:46.269 --> 00:11:48.350 It absolutely does. It's easy to overlook, but 00:11:48.350 --> 00:11:50.490 the environment plays a real role in growth efficiency. 00:11:50.750 --> 00:11:53.529 Remember that NAHMS study they mentioned? It 00:11:53.529 --> 00:11:56.070 showed bedding type mattered. Calves on straw 00:11:56.070 --> 00:11:59.070 actually had better ADG than calves on sand or 00:11:59.070 --> 00:12:02.980 no bedding. Huh. Stroh wins. Seems so. And temperature's 00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:05.820 massive, especially in colder climates or during 00:12:05.820 --> 00:12:08.019 winter. Calves burn a lot of energy just staying 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:10.700 warm. If you don't increase their feed intake 00:12:10.700 --> 00:12:12.659 to compensate, where does that energy come from? 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:14.879 Comes from potential growth. Exactly. Gets diverted 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:17.220 away from ADG. So adjusting feed for temperature 00:12:17.220 --> 00:12:19.299 is crucial. And consistency. That seemed to pop 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:22.750 up a few times. Oh, completely vital. Consistency 00:12:22.750 --> 00:12:25.610 is king with calves. Same feeding times, same 00:12:25.610 --> 00:12:28.230 milk temperature, same concentration every single 00:12:28.230 --> 00:12:31.009 time. It reduces stress, improves digestion, 00:12:31.309 --> 00:12:34.070 cuts down on upsets. The article really emphasized 00:12:34.070 --> 00:12:36.830 that having and following standardized protocols 00:12:36.830 --> 00:12:40.049 for everything. It really pays off in hitting 00:12:40.049 --> 00:12:42.990 those growth goals consistently. Okay, so pulling 00:12:42.990 --> 00:12:45.269 this all together, this deep dive into the bullvine 00:12:45.269 --> 00:12:47.909 article, it makes it crystal clear. Those first 00:12:47.909 --> 00:12:50.620 60 days. They're not just a waiting period. They're 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:53.019 absolutely foundational. The evidence really 00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:54.820 stacks up, doesn't it? When you approach cap 00:12:54.820 --> 00:12:57.139 raising strategically using this kind of research, 00:12:57.360 --> 00:13:00.000 it stops being just a cost line item. It really 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:02.320 becomes one of your dairy's most powerful ways 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:04.679 to drive future profit. Let's just quickly bullet 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:07.159 point those key takeaways, again, based on this 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:09.120 Bullvine article. Things for you to really keep 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:12.159 front of mind. Okay, number one. Higher pre -weaning 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:14.460 ADG directly translates to more milk, potentially 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:16.700 over 1 ,100 pounds more in first lactation for 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:19.200 every pound of gain. That's huge leverage. Two, 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:22.440 colostrum, non -negotiable. Focus relentlessly 00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:25.519 on the four Qs, quality, over 22, 23 % bricks, 00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:28.039 quantity, one gallon plus two quarts, quickly, 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:30.679 within four hours, and maybe squeaky clean feeding 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:32.980 equipment. It sets the stage for immunity and 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:35.279 growth programming. Three, feed for growth, not 00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:37.399 just maintenance. Higher volumes, like one gallon, 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:39.899 twice daily. Consider whole milk or bump up that 00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:42.480 replacer protein over 25%, and crucially, adjust 00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:44.399 for cold stress. Give them the fuel they need. 00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:47.139 Four, health is wealth. Scours and pneumonia 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:49.559 are thieves. They steal ADG and future performance. 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:51.539 Proactive monitoring, good hygiene, and maybe 00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:53.659 exploring those colostrum -based supports to 00:13:53.659 --> 00:13:56.059 reduce impact and antibiotic reliance. And five, 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:59.299 invest early, profit long -term. The goal, double 00:13:59.299 --> 00:14:01.200 birth weight by weaning. That means hitting that 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:04.340 1 .5 to 1 .8 pound ADG target. And you got to 00:14:04.340 --> 00:14:05.840 track it to know if you're getting there. That's 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:08.639 a fantastic summary. A real roadmap pulled straight 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:11.059 from the research analyzed in that Bullvine article 00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:13.659 gives you concrete things to look at on your 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:16.259 own operation. And you can find more great stuff 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:20.860 like this over at www .thebullvine .com. Definitely. 00:14:20.940 --> 00:14:24.480 And remember, applying these strategies, it's 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:27.259 not just about healthier calves today. It's about 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:29.600 setting up your whole herd, your whole business 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:32.750 for... better efficiency, lower replacement costs, 00:14:32.870 --> 00:14:35.649 and yeah, ultimately better profitability down 00:14:35.649 --> 00:14:37.690 the line. So we'll leave you with this thought 00:14:37.690 --> 00:14:39.549 based on everything we've unpacked today from 00:14:39.549 --> 00:14:42.009 the Bullvine article. Knowing how much that early 00:14:42.009 --> 00:14:45.710 ADG impacts your future revenue, what's one specific 00:14:45.710 --> 00:14:47.909 thing in your calf program right now? Maybe it's 00:14:47.909 --> 00:14:49.950 colostrum timing, maybe it's feed volume, maybe 00:14:49.950 --> 00:14:51.649 it's weighing calves more often, maybe it's bedding 00:14:51.649 --> 00:14:53.090 management in the cold. What's one thing you 00:14:53.090 --> 00:14:55.129 could realistically adjust, maybe even starting 00:14:55.129 --> 00:14:57.370 this week, to better capture that incredible 00:14:57.370 --> 00:15:00.039 potential? We really hope this deep dive has 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:02.399 given you some valuable perspective, some practical 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:04.860 ideas to take back to the farm and help you build 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:08.080 that future profit engine one healthy, fast -growing 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:11.019 calf at a time. That's a wrap on today's deep 00:15:11.019 --> 00:15:13.259 dive into the million -dollar investment sitting 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:16.220 right in your calf barn. The research is crystal 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:19.720 clear. What happens in those first 60 days determines 00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:22.200 whether you're building future profit or just 00:15:22.200 --> 00:15:25.519 raising expensive pets. Here's your action plan. 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:30.129 Start measuring ADG on every calf. Get your colostrum 00:15:30.129 --> 00:15:33.330 protocol dialed in. And remember, doubling birth 00:15:33.330 --> 00:15:36.470 weight by weaning isn't just a nice goal. It's 00:15:36.470 --> 00:15:38.889 your ticket to animals that produce over 1 ,000 00:15:38.889 --> 00:15:42.309 pounds more milk per lactation. Want the full 00:15:42.309 --> 00:15:44.549 breakdown with all the research, citations, and 00:15:44.549 --> 00:15:46.649 implementation strategies we discussed today? 00:15:47.009 --> 00:15:51.370 Head over to www .thebullvine .com. That's T 00:15:51.370 --> 00:15:55.620 -H -E -B -U -L -L -V -I -N -E dot com. You'll 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:57.600 find this episode's show notes plus hundreds 00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:59.940 of articles challenging conventional dairy wisdom 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:02.539 with the data to back it up. Thanks for listening 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:05.320 to the Bullvine Podcast. And remember, in this 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:08.039 industry, the operations that question everything 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:11.340 are the ones that profit from everything. Until 00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:14.340 next time, keep pushing boundaries and demanding 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:18.440 better from your business. The Bullvine, where 00:16:18.440 --> 00:16:19.500 dairy meets disruption.