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Nutrition and Management of Automatic Calf Feeding Systems
Since dairy calves are the only mammalian neonates that are limit-fed milk, producers have been challenged to find ways to keep them alive, healthy and growing. Automatic calf feeding equipment has been around for decades but due to improvements in technology and the desire to “find a better way” their popularity has increased. Seven years of research on over 2100 calves at our facility as well as research done at academic institutions will be covered. The positives such as the appearance of improved welfare, potential labor savings/flexibility, higher nutrition levels provided and more frequent meals will be discussed. The negatives such as maintenance & cleaning, biosecurity and potential increase in respiratory challenge will also be reviewed.
Keywords: dairy calves, automatic calf feeding equipment