Calf Distinction

06/19/2026

Microbiome colonization begins at birth but needs to be cared for and cultivated throughout life. Prebiotics are non-digestible feed ingredients that selectively support beneficial gut microbes, while probiotics are live microorganisms that provide a health benefit to the host. When fed together as a synbiotic, the prebiotic acts as a substrate for the probiotic, helping the introduced microbes survive, establish, and function more effectively. That complementary relationship helps explain why synbiotics often show a larger response than either ingredient alone.

Click the link below to read more about how this impacts lifetime milk production!

One of the hardest things I face as a nutrition consultant is helping producers understand and quantify investments made in early life, and the payback they will bring later on when that animal enters the lactating herd. When we talk about early life investments we are typically talking about qualit...

06/18/2026

Ingredients that Impact! We believe that the products we supply to our farmers and ranchers should be composed of ingredients in their purest forms and nothing else. We are proud to feature nutritional products which contain no artificial colors, flavors and most importantly, fillers. Each ingredient comes from a credible source and has been researched and selected for its functionality, efficacy and safety. Only the best ingredients and nothing else, can provide our customers with the peace of mind that they deserve. Learn more about what we make: https://bit.ly/4e1xRDM

06/17/2026

A synbiotic is a combination of prebiotics and probiotics that are fed together. The effects of a synbiotic are much more powerful than when either ingredient is fed alone.

This is about more than gut health. Sure, there are health benefits to the calf when we feed a synbiotic in early life. However, the effects are lasting and can impact milk production out to even the third lactation.

A recent study published in the Journal of Dairy Science by Muhffel et. al, showed increases in milk, milk fat, and ECM across lactations 1,2, and 3 when calves were fed a synbiotic in the preweaning phase.

06/16/2026

Calves = Your Future Herd! 🐮 Take the time to focus on their gut health. It pays off!

06/11/2026

Nutritional Technology that sets you free from antibiotics. Every product has a purpose. Every ingredient solves a problem. Just like nature. MicroBasics' Distinction is a comprehensive range of products addressing specific needs of today’s food producers. Our Distinction product ingredients work in synergy with one another to help improve and maintain the health of your animals and as a result, the health of your enterprise. Learn more about what we make: https://bit.ly/4e1xRDM

06/10/2026

Better health starts in the gut. Surveillance Calf supports immune function, gut health, and calf performance from day one through weaning. Feed daily. Build stronger calves. See the difference. https://bit.ly/4xhEzOH

06/09/2026

Happy National Dairy Month! Thank you to the dairy farmers and teams who work every day to keep calves healthy, cows productive, and communities fed. We’re proud to support the industry with solutions focused on immunity, gut health, and performance. Healthy animals. Stronger operations. A better tomorrow.

06/05/2026

Heat stress in calves is a bigger issue than most people realize. While cows often get the most attention in summer because of the impact heat stress has on milk production, don't forget about the calves!

Click the link below to read more about how calves are affected by thermal stress and what you can do about it!

Heat stress in calves is a bigger issue than most people realize. While cows often get the most attention in summer because of the impact heat stress has on milk production, don't forget about the calves! Young calves can also be strongly affected by hot weather, especially when heat combines with h...

06/04/2026

“Snake oil.” That’s usually what people say before they see the outcomes. At MicroBasics, we focus on the microbiome, immune function, gut integrity, and pathogen control using research-driven nutritional technologies that work with the animal. And yes… this “snake oil stuff” works. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4e1xRDM

06/03/2026

A recent study in the Journal of Dairy Science investigated water intake of Holstein heifer calves in the first week of life. Regardless of season, within the first week of life 20% of calves were voluntarily drinking some water.

Offering water to calves in the first week is often an over-looked practice, but the data from this study argues that we should view it as a non-negotiable.

Offering water early to calves is a low-cost and positive measure for animal health and welfare, especially when it comes to early-life heat mitigation.

When do you first offer water to your calves?



Source: Effect of birth season on Holstein calves’ voluntary water intake. Antenucci et al. U Bologna.