Many dairy replacement, dairy bull and beef-on-dairy calves are transported very early in their lives from the dairies where they are born to calf-raising operations and often moved substantial distances. These transport events present considerable challenges which potentially affect the calves for the rest of their lives as lactating cows or feedlot animals. Machuca et al. (2026)¹ evaluated common practices in calf transportation and developed future recommendations regarding calf health, production and well-being.
In 2023, the researchers contacted dairy producers, calf raisers and haulers through digital advertisement, email, and extension agents to complete an online survey. Dairy producers (n = 69) were surveyed for colostrum management, health evaluations, and marketing channels, while those receiving calves (n = 29) responded to questions about calf condition at arrival, preweaning disease incidence, and preconditioning requirements. Calf haulers (n = 25) replied regarding travel distances, number of stops, and destinations.
Survey results indicated dairy replacement heifers were transported at older ages than beef-on-dairy calves, with dairy bull calves falling intermediate between the other two groups. More replacement heifers were vaccinated at the dairy than were calves entering the beef chain.
Respondents receiving calves reported substantial variability in preweaning morbidity and mortality rates. Calf raisers indicated they do not require source dairies to follow a preconditioning protocol when sending calves, and no source dairy had consistent fit-for-transport criteria. All respondents indicated the need for greater communication throughout the production chain and the need for best practice recommendations.
While both source dairies and calf raisers indicated a willingness to standardize practices to improve morbidity and mortality rates, the challenge lies in which party provides an incentive, financial or other otherwise. In addition, there is very little agreement on which practices should be implemented and followed by either party. Further research is needed to determine best practices for preconditioning protocols to improve calf health after transport and further into life.
These findings reinforce the importance of early-life management and their long-term impact on performance. At Agrarian Solutions, our calf philosophy is simple, “Whatever happens day one, week one, month one affects the calf the rest of its life.”
Building on that philosophy and in agreement with our Defend and Protect™ philosophy, Agrarian Solutions has developed the CONVERT™ family of calf products to bolster calf health and performance from birth past weaning and then utilizing other Agrarian products to continue from freshening to entering lactation. The CONVERT calf program focuses on strengthening gut integrity through the cell wall-deficient bacteria and probiotic expertise and IgY technology targeting specific digestive pathogens.
Reference: ¹Machuca et al. 2026. Preweaning calf transportation practices in the United States: A cross-sectional survey of dairies, haulers, and calf raisers. J. Dairy Sci. 109:4307-4322.
