The cover

Good calf rearing practices are the foundation of building out a good performing dairy replacement herd. Farmers should always think from the calf’s point of view! That means that the farmer needs to think: “what does my calf need”. Calves have different primary needs which need to be taken care of, if you want to raise calves in a good way. 

     - Feed
     - Water
     - Environment
     - Comfort

The farmer should have a critical eye, observe the calves’ behavior and react on the signals the calves give. A good farmer understands what a calf is “telling” him. A farmer needs to observe analyze, improve and react.

“A good calf rearer knows which calf will get sick tomorrow”

Calves need to receive individual attention and care from the early beginning, which means right after birth. Not enough attention has been given by trainers to make farmers aware of the importance of calf care. There is a direct link between good calf care and a higher milk production when the calf becomes an adult cow.

“Good calf rearing practices is having long term ambitions”

The experience learns that in Vietnam calf mortality is often too high and that calves get all sorts of diseases during the rearing period. Obviously this affects the productivity and the durability of the herd.

“A good start is half of the work done!”

In this practical manual we will explain the techniques of good calf management, point out some innovations and give guidelines to raise healthy and high performing calves. Throughout this manual the reader can find “boxes” and notes. The “boxes” are summarizing what has been said in the last paragraph, while the notes give additional information.

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The Vietnam Belgium Dairy Project