Continuous Innovation in Calf Housing

Continuous Innovation in Calf Housing

By Maura Keller

As one of the first lines of defense against inclement weather and predators, utilizing proper calf housing can significantly impact the safety and well-being of young dairy calves. Evaluating the ideal environment to house newborn and young calves can greatly benefit producers’ bottom lines, while keeping the animals happy, healthy and productive members of the herd.

“The livestock industry is moving towards a co-mingled or paired system approach. Whether this new initiative is being promoted into the industries from a regulatory or a researched approach, co-mingling does work and benefit on many different farms,” says Paul Prekop, sales manager at Agri-Plastics. “Many producers have told me that co-mingling with another animal produces a calming effect but also seems to enhance competitive behavior when it comes to feeding. We have the best of both worlds for optimal calf rearing. We have the systems where we can keep calves isolated from each other at a sensitive age.”

Loafing Sheds
For decades solidly built loading sheds, completed with roof, trim and metal sides have proven ideal options for smaller dairy producers looking to shelter several calves at the same time. Loafing sheds are seen as a great option for improving cleanliness, improving foot and leg health of dairy calves, and reducing the likelihood of infections in young dairy animals.

Based in Welton, Iowa, Kauffman Structures has been building loafing sheds and other livestock structures since 1980. These Amish Mennonite built loafing sheds boast 6×6 pressure-treated runners that allow producers to move the livestock shelters where they are needed to keep dairy calves out of the elements. Kauffman Structures’ three-sided sheds are customizable to provide the ideal size and layout for each producers’ needs and are strong enough to handle the abuse from dairy calves.

Of course, the goal of any dairy producer is to have happy, comfortable calves. When identifying the ideal type of loafing shed, producers should make sure the shed offers a dry protected area and a space to lie down. The shed should be properly spaced to allow for adequate airflow and elevated for rain runoff, eliminating saturation of the bedding materials. Proper ventilation of a loafing shed is also vital for the health of dairy calves, so that they receive fresh oxygen, while also keeping the temperature inside the shed comfortable.

Keeping calves safe and healthy is the cornerstone of Iron Ranch Manufacturing near Watertown, South Dakota. Featuring a walk-thru door, swinging gate, lifting bar, air vents, and skylights, the unique calf, the design of the Iron Ranch Manufacturing calf shelters are all about light and air-flow. The front entry allows for a more even distribution of air flow, resulting in an even temperature throughout the space. Skylights allow light to also penetrate the space, while helping keep the calf shelters warm and dry. During inclement weather vents can be closed to prevent moisture from entering.

Calf Hutches & Stalls
Depere, Wisconsin is home to Fritsch Equipment, a farmer-founded company that provides innovative agricultural machinery to meet a variety of needs. Fritch’s poly calf stalls have proven to be a favorite among dairy farmers. It boasts a quick set-up and modular interlocking panels, complete with stainless steel hardware. Available with or without the back panel, the poly calf stalls also feature rod swing gate fronts, making it easy to usher calves in and out of the area.

When selecting calf stalls and hutches, it is important to select a unit that is designed to be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. MN-based Leedstone offers calf hutches that are designed to keep dairy calves safe by isolating the newborn from other calves to mitigate disease transmission. One unique feature is the one-solid construction of high-molecular weight, polyethylene material to minimize crevices where bacteria and disease pathogens can grow. When calves are ready for group housing, Leedstone offers its Super Hutch Multimax Group housing that is ideal for three to five calves.

Of course, Agri-Plastics has long been celebrated as the calf housing specialists within the dairy industry. Throughout its history, the company is working closely with dairy producers in identifying the exact design specifications that they are looking for in calf hutches – issues such as feeding and bedding accessibility, durability, ease of use, and ventilation.

Recently Agri-Plastics has introduced some new options like the Open Air Flex-Pens, which are available in a variety of sizes and configurations. Optimal ventilation and versatile configurations are the cornerstone of this new product, as it allows for the connecting of multiple pens when calves are ready for group housing.

“Agri-Plastics engineers housing systems that are leading edge for individual calf raising and or using a co-mingled/paired calf system. Prekop says, “Agri-Plastics works toward helping the producer become the most efficient with enhanced calf growth.

Agri-Plastics also recognizes the vital role that a dry, clean environment plays in the health and well-being of young calves. That’s why the company has introduced its DryZon Slatted Flooring for use in both indoor and outdoor calf housing. While the paneled flooring offers a texturized design to prevent calves from slipping and getting injured, the flooring also features optimal drainage and airflow so that calves are not exposed to a build-up of harmful bacteria.

Agri-Plastics’ calf housing products boast many of the “must have” attributes including ventilation, bedding, temperature, feeding and management. Agri-Plastics calf housing units feature an All-in-One Rear Bedding Door to allow producers to have access to the rear of the hutch to change bedding, while also allowing for optimal ventilation and air-flow so the temperature can be consistent at all times for young calves. And when it comes to feeding calves within the hutch environment, Agri-Plastics has developed unique bucket holders with a splash guard to help prevent cross contamination of calves’ food.

The FlapDuct system works in synergy with Agri-Plastic’s UltraFle Pen indoor penning systems. The right amount of airflow, in the proper area and the right time is key to producing healthy animals.

“We help take that animal as efficient and grow it into a profitable revenue stream for that farm,” Prekop says. “The better job we do with our young stock pays dividends down the road as that animal grows.”