Hydration isn’t just a summer strategy—it should be part of calf management 365 days a year. Proactive hydration is a simple, cost-effective way to support calf health and reduce morbidity and mortality.

Minnie Ward, Feedworks USA technical calf specialist, says keeping calves hydrated year-round can help lessen the impact of scours, reduce treatment and labor costs, and support a stronger immune and vaccine response.

Ward says the more she learns about preloading hydration during the first 21 days of life, the more convinced she is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. In a recent Progressive Dairy article, she shares how a cost-effective proactive hydration strategy can strengthen immunity, reduce treatment needs and improve overall calf welfare.

This article originally appeared in Progressive Dairy magazine.