Good heifers are the future of a dairy, so it is important to raise them to grow optimally—to become healthy, high-producing cows. Dr. Bob James, a dairy consultant and owner of Down Home Heifer Solutions, Blacksburg, VA (Former Extension Scientist at Virginia Tech), specializes in calf health and nutrition. He works with many dairies across the country, helping them do a good job with their young stock. He was a founding member of Professional Dairy Heifer Growers, now called Dairy Calf and Heifer Association.
“I got to know a lot of heifer growers, from California to Florida. There are many ways to raise dairy heifers. My specialty was the babies, and this is still what I’m doing. I work with pre-weaned calves, from birth to about 90 days of age,” he says.