Then, calves are mainly housed in group pens and transition from calf-starter to total mixed ration (TMR). Adequate starter intake at weaning is crucial for feed transition from pre- to post-weaning period, which occurs at approximately 2 months of age.
In addition to liquid feed, water and calf starter are offered ad libitum to calves. Milk-replacer is fed in more than 80% of operations, while milk (saleable or nonsaleable) is fed in approximately 30% of calf raising facilities (some operations fed more than one type of liquid diet). Approximately 80% of calves are individually housed, but the type of housing (e.g., outside hutch, inside a barn) varies based on location of calf-raising facilities. Most of the large calf raising operations, where the majority of dairy-beef animals are raised, are located in the Central Great Plains and West regions of the United States. Based on data on dairy animals, we hypothesize how early life experiences could impact the feedlot performances of dairy-beef animals. Given the growing importance of dairy-beef calves entering the beef production of the United States, we overview aspects related to housing, nutrition, and health events during the pre- and post-weaning period.
In this literature review, we overview some of the common management practices associated with calf rearing in specialized operations of the United States.
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