Calf and Heifer Feeding and Management

Dear Colleagues,

From birth to first calving, the replacement heifer undergoes tremendous changes anatomically as well as in feeding and management practices. The calf changes from a pseudo-mogastric to a full ruminant within a period of two months. During the same time, the calf is fed colostrum, milk or milk replacer, and starter with or without hay. Notably, lifetime milk production and the health of a dairy cow is highly dependent on early life nutrition and the management of the calf and subsequently the heifer. Hence, animal scientists continue to investigate critical areas such as colostrum feeding, the level of liquid feeding, gut microbial succession, energy and protein level, housing, health management, and their interactions with the animal in an effort to help dairy producers raise successful and sustainable dairy enterprises. Emerging research techniques have opened new frontiers to understanding the whole animal better and how its diet and environment might influence its microbial, endocrinal, immunity, and metabolic systems. The integration of existing and current knowledge will help refine replacement heifer feeding and management practices. The aim of this Special Issue is to publish current and relevant information related to the nutrition, metabolism, housing, and health of replacement heifers. Therefore, this Special Issue welcomes submissions, including reviews or original research studies.

Assoc. Prof. Zhijun Cao
Prof. Michael Van Amburgh
Guest Editors

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