Poor feeding management practices during the postweaning period, especially the first month after weaning, can be detrimental to the calves' growth. In general, heifer nutrition is all too often neglected between weaning and 6 months of age. During the preweaning period, calves, for the most part, are usually consuming a very high-quality liquid diet. Problems can arise when quality standards are overlooked in the grain and forage portion of the diet. Calves need a quality calf starter that is nutritious and palatable.
Sufficient amounts have to be offered to promote rumen development and to keep the calf growing.
Weaned dairy calves should be consuming 5 to 6 pounds of a grain mixture daily. The preweaned and immediately postweaned calf consume larger amounts of grain and smaller quantities of forage. Even though forage may not constitute the majority of dry matter intake, high-quality hay or silage still need to be offered. The hay should be fine stemmed and mold free. Poor quality, stemmy, or moldy hay reduces forage intake and inhibits animal growth.