New on-farm research shows that providing electrolytes daily at a lower maintenance rate can help preweaned calves stay hydrated and better manage stress. During a scours outbreak, the study showed that proactively hydrated calves experienced less severe effects and rebounded faster, reducing the need for treatment.

According to Minnie Ward, Feedworks USA technical calf specialist, daily hydration can also benefit calves beyond the first 21 days. In a Progressive Dairy article, Ward explains that encouraging greater water intake supports starter intake and average daily gain while helping calves better manage stress and reach their genetic potential.

The goal: healthy, thriving calves with fewer hands-on interventions.

This article originally appeared in Progressive Dairy magazine.