Dr. Grazyne Tresoldi, Assistant Professor of Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University
In Part 1 of this series, we talked about colostrum as the foundation of calf health. Now we move into the weeks that follow and into a question that might change how you think about your feed bill: What if the milk you're feeding your calves is the single most profitable investment on your farm?
Providing calves with more milk increases average daily gain, and the long-term benefits are substantial. Gains above 1 lb./day, when paired with a solid weaning strategy and good starter intake, are associated with higher milk yield in the first lactation. Some studies found that every extra pound that calves put on before weaning translates to roughly 600 to 1,100 lb. more milk in her first lactation. Additionally, higher milk levels support earlier or on‑time age at first breeding without negative effects on fertility, provided heifers are kept within an ideal body condition score.
This is the most biologically sensitive stage of the animal’s life; many metabolic and developmental processes shaped during this window cannot be fully compensated for later. From an efficiency standpoint, milk is the most digestible and biologically appropriate feed the calf will receive. Restricted programs may lower daily feed costs, but they often increase the cost per unit of growth.
How Much Milk is Ideal?
The simplest answer: provide ad libitum milk. Calves will self-regulate their consumption based on energy needs. For group-housed calves, automated feeders can help ensure consistent access.
If that’s not an option, calves can safely handle milk at roughly 20% of body weight per day. For a typical Holstein calf, that means 8 to 12 quarts. At that level, calves can gain 1.8 to 2.6 lb./day and can be up to 22 l.b heavier at weaning.
Beat the Chill
When the temperature drops below 60°F, a calf’s maintenance requirements spike. They need that extra milk just to stay warm before they can even think about growing. For more on managing the environment alongside the diet, check out my previous article, Practical tips to improve calf welfare in cold weather.
Consistency is Critical
Animals appreciate routine. Calves perform best when milk volume, solids concentration, temperature, and timing are predictable. Variability is a common source of stress that can undermine even the best feeding programs.
Milk Quality Matters
Feeding strategies are only as effective as the quality of the milk delivered.
- Whole milk: Should be properly pasteurized to reduce disease exposure. Avoid feeding waste milk containing antibiotic residues, which can disrupt gut development.
- Milk replacer: Select a high-quality product (>26% crude protein and 18 to 20% fat). Inconsistent solids concentration is a common issue that increases digestive upsets.
- Temperature: Regardless of the source, aim for a feeding temperature of 100°F to 104°F.
Feeding Frequency and Delivery
Aim for at least three feedings per day in the first 2 to 3 weeks. Smaller, more frequent meals promote smoother metabolic responses and better nutrient absorption. Delivering larger meals less often can increase the risk of digestive upsets.
Calves have a strong innate behavioral need to suckle. Pairing frequent meals with slow-flow teats satisfies this urge. When we satisfy that suckling motivation at the teat, we see a significant drop in "non-nutritive" sucking on other calves or surroundings.
Weaning
Weaning is one of the most stressful transitions in a calf's life. To protect your investment, the goal is to "step down" the milk, not "cut it off." Research shows:
- Timing: Better long-term growth is observed when calves are weaned at later ages, ideally after 8 weeks of age.
- Readiness: A calf is ready to wean only when she is consistently eating 2.5 to 3 lb./day of starter for several days in a row.
- Duration: A gradual weaning period of 7 to 14 days allows the rumen to catch up to the calf's energy needs.
- Strategies: Effective approaches include fewer feedings per day, smaller volumes per feeding, or automated-feeder step-downs tied to starter intake.
- Minimize stress: Avoid pairing weaning with other high-stress events like disbudding/dehorning, moving to new groups, or vaccinations.
Take-home Message
Everything we do in the first two months builds on the foundation established by that first feeding of colostrum. Feeding for "excellence" rather than just "survival" shifts your milk program from a daily expense to a long-term performance strategy.
You don’t have to overhaul your system alone. Your veterinarian, nutritionist, and Extension educator are your best allies in tailoring these benchmarks to your specific facility.
In our next article, we’ll focus on the solid diet and how to maintain growth momentum.
Key Benchmarks: Milk feeding for preweaned dairy calves
|
Management Area |
Target / Benchmark |
Why it Matters |
|
Milk allowance |
Ad libitum or ~20% of body weight daily. Higher when temperatures < 60°F |
Supports maximum gain and future milk yield |
|
Milk quality |
Pasteurized whole milk or well-mixed milk replacer (≥26% CP, 18 to 20% fat); fed at 100 to 104°F |
Reduces disease transmission, supports lean growth and optimal digestion |
|
Feeding frequency |
3+ times daily, using slow-flow teats |
Improves absorption and satisfies suckling drive, reducing non-nutritive sucking |
|
Weaning readiness |
After 8 weeks, when consistently eating 2.5 to 3 lb/day of starter |
Ensures rumen is developed for solid feed |
|
Weaning method |
7 to 14 day gradual step-down |
Allows the gut to adapt; minimizes stress |
Selected References
Gelsinger, et al. 2016. A meta-analysis of the effects of preweaned calf nutrition and growth on first-lactation performance. J. Dairy Sci. 99:6206–6214 https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-10744
Jasper and Weary. 2002. Effects of ad libitum milk intake on dairy calves, J. Dairy Sci. 85:3054–3058. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(02)74391-9
Khan, et al. 2011. Invited review: Effects of milk ration on solid feed intake, weaning, and performance in dairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 94 :1071–1081. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3733
Prado et al., 2021. Influence of milk feeding levels and calf housing on subsequent performance of Holstein heifers. JDS Commun. 2:277-281. https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2021-0077
Rosenberger et al., 2017. The effect of milk allowance on behavior and weight gains in dairy calves. J. Dairy Sci. 100:504–512. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-11195
Soberon & Van Amburgh, 2013. Lactation biology symposium: The effect of nutrient intake from milk or milk replacer of preweaned dairy calves on lactation milk yield as adults: a meta-analysis of current data. J. Anim. Sci. 91:706-712. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2012-5834
Welk et al., 2024. Invited review: The effect of weaning practices on dairy calf performance, behavior, and health-A systematic review. J. Dairy Sci. 107:5237–5258. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-24521