Modeling Preweaning Dairy Calf Performance

The development of modeling concepts with the 2001 NRC (National Research Council Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle represented a big step toward understanding and applying the underlying mechanisms associated with young calf growth. Factors such as the plane of nutrition being provided (protein and energy), breed and environmental stressors impact calf growth. Investigation into delivering the proper amounts of energy and protein through the liquid and dry feeds to optimize growth needs to continue as well as further defining the most effective means to transition from the nonruminant to ruminant phase while minimizing postweaning lag.