Cow & Calf Care

Dairy farmers work around the clock every day to care for their cows and calves.

Their commitment to producing high-quality milk begins with taking good care of the cows and treating them with respect. Dairy farmers provide their cows with a nutritious diet, good medical care and healthy living conditions.

Animal Wellbeing

Animal care is a top priority for dairy farmers. Dairy farmers work closely with a team of specialists to help keep their cows healthy and comfortable.

Who is on a Dairy Farmer’s Team?

Veterinarian - Dairy farmers work with veterinarians to provide their cows routine checkups, vaccinations and speedy treatment of illness.
Nutritionist - Professional animal nutritionists help dairy farmers develop a balanced and nutritious diet for their cows. They periodically visit the farm to assess the animals and make dietary adjustments for growth, development, milk production and health changes such as pregnancy.
Hoof care specialist – Regular hoof care is essential for maintaining cow comfort and mobility. Hoof care specialists assess cows’ hooves and cater to their individual needs, ranging from preventive maintenance to corrective measures.

Cow Care Resources

Safe Housing for Calves & Cows

For the first 2-3 months of their lives, most calves live in individual pens. These pens have ample space for the calf to move about and protect them from bad weather. Individual housing allows farmers to closely monitor each calf’s health and ensure they are receiving good nutrition.

When calves are around 3 months old, they are moved into a group pen with other calves of similar age and stay with these pen-mates until they are about 2 years old and have their first calves.

Many of Ohio and West Virginia’s dairy cows live in freestall barns, a type of climate-controlled barn where cows are free to move about as they choose. Barns are commonly equipped with fans and misters to keep the cows cool in the summer and have curtains that can be lowered to block the wind and keep cows warm in the winter.

What bedding is used for dairy cows?

Why are some dairy cows kept in barns instead of out on pasture?

Cow & Calf Nutrition

All cows and calves have continuous access to clean water and food. Dairy farmers work with animal nutritionists to develop balanced and nutritious diets, making dietary adjustments for growth, development, milk production and health changes such as pregnancy.

Dairy Cow Nutrition

Dairy cows eat about 100 pounds of feed and drink 30-50 gallons of water (about a bathtub full) each day. The ingredients in the cow’s feed vary by season and geography. They are typically a combination of:

Hay and grains such as corn, wheat and barley
Proteins like soybean and canola
Vitamins and minerals
By-products from food and fiber industries like citrus pulp and cottonseed can also be included in cows' carefully balanced diets and converted to milk rather than being sent to landfills, thanks to cows’ unique, 4-chambered stomachs.

Dairy Calf & Heifer Nutrition

Dairy calves are fed colostrum (a mother’s first milk) within their first 24 hours of birth to ensure they get all the antibodies, nutrients and minerals needed for a healthy start. For the next 2-3 months, they will drink milk or a specially formulated milk replacer. Then they are weaned off milk and fed a diet of grain, hay and water. Calves are picky just like most children, so most calf grain is coated in molasses to make it sweeter and taste better.

Cow Nutrition Resources

Use of Technology in Dairy Farming

Dairy farmers are utilizing modern technology to help care for their cows and calves.

What technology is used on a dairy farm?

Robotic feed pushers help keep feed within reach of dairy cows at all time
Robotic milking systems allow cows to be milked when they choose
Milking systems with automatic take-offs have a milk flow sensor that gently removes the milking unit when each cow is finished
Automatic calf feeders provide access to fresh milk all day long
Activity trackers found in special neck collars, ear tags and leg bands digitally track daily activity of each cow to help farmers evaluate cow comfort and health