Feeding More Milk to Make More Milk
Alycia Drwencke, Dairy Management Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program
Dr. Valerie Smith with Dean Foods Dairy Stewardship Program is a licensed veterinarian and expert in dairy cattle health and welfare. Dr. Smith is certified by the National Milk Producers Federation as a F.A.R.M. auditor and trainer, and by PAACO(Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization) as a DairyWell auditor. As part of Dean's December update, Dr. Smith shared information on how feeding calves larger quantities of milk can result in greater production later in life.
Feed More Milk to Make More Milk, Dr. Valerie Smith
"Feeding more milk will result in the calf gaining more lbs per day, which will reduce the cost per pound gained. This will reduce the cost of raising dairy replacement heifers and the heifer will enter the milking string at a younger age, therefore increasing profitability. The amount of weight a heifer gains daily is directly correlated to milk production, so if a producer maximizes how much weight is gained early, then they will receive more milk when the animal enters the milking herd.
Calves that gain weight at a faster rate will have reduced medicine costs for disease treatments, will have lower mortality rates and actually require less labor. These heifers will reach breeding height and weight sooner, calve at an earlier age and produce more milk than heifers that are raised on 2 quarts of milk twice a day with calf starter, and thus result in a higher profitability. Calves fed a full-potential liquid diet versus a more conventional diet will eat as much or more starter at weaning than calves fed a lower amount of milk nutrition. Making calves eat too much dry feed at younger ages is actually detrimental to rumen development.
When can you start feeding at an increased rate? Immediately. Best practice would be 3 to 4 quarts colostrum within 1 to 4 hours after birth and 2 additional quarts within 12 hours after. On days two and three feed transition milk at 2 quarts three times daily. And while 3 quarts twice a day is better than the traditional 2 quarts 2x daily, it's still not enough to give calves the nutrition needed to reach their full potential for growth and development. Feeding a full potential diet of at least 8 to 9 quarts of liquid per calf per day - delivered in 3 quarts three times a day or 4 quarts twice day - can help calves achieve optimal performance. Not doing so will limit heifers from reaching their full potential.
A common misconception is that more nutrition can cause scouring: Manure may appear loose, but it is not truly scours. An increase in liquid manure is due to the higher level of milk nutrients consumed. It is always a good idea to consult your veterinarian before determining the cause of calf diarrhea.
Also, feeding through a bottle with a nipple rather than a bucket, will help slow down the passage rate and increase salvia. Having saliva adds more enzymes that promote protein and fat digestion.
If you want to know more about feeding heifers for their full potential contact your local Dairy Stewardship specialist."

*Dairy Herd Management, Robert B Corbett DVM, PAS May 18 2018
You can learn more about The Dean Foods Dairy Stewardship Program on their website.
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Avian Disease and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza - the latest updates and what it means for poultry health
March 18, 2025
In light of the state of HPAI across the country and in NYS, the Poultry Subgroup of the Livestock PWT has developed two webinars to assist small farms and backyard laying flock owners to make informed decisions around getting laying hens and managing disease, while keeping abreast of the current status of HPAI and how they can keep it out of their flocks.
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March 19, 2025
Andover, NY
Mike Hunter, Field Crop IPM Coordinator, will share his knowledge on managing weeds. The discussion will cover various management practices in both conventional and organic settings, including herbicide-resistant weeds.
NY Beef Producers Association (NYBPA) Region 2 Meeting
March 21, 2025
Lakewood, NY
Join is for a roundtable discussion with Jeff Hostetter of Select Sires, Phil Trowbridge of Trowbridge Farms, Dr. Shannon Carpenter DVM NYSCHAP Coordinator for NYSAGM, division of Animal Industry, Dr. Katie Card-Allen, DVM Regional Field Veterinarian on Best Practices for Cow-Calf producers. A proactive approach to animal health for mama and baby.
All are welcome. Membership in these beef producer groups is not required.
Following the buffet dinner, a short business meeting will kick off the evening. We will then move to the roundtable discussion.
Announcements
Transition Heifer Calf Program
Join us for this hand-on program and demos! We will be offering this program in English and in Spanish.Calf and heifer managers, dairy herdspersons, farm owners, and heifer raisers interested in learning more about how to better house and manage animals as they transition from the calf phase to the weaned heifer phase.
Topics covered:
Nutrition
Health
Housing Management
Inventory Management
Biosecurity: All attendees must wear clean clothes and boots. You will be required to scrub and disinfect footwear upon arrival to the program and before leaving.
Registration: $25 per person (includes lunch)