Melissa Cantor

Dr. Melissa Cantor, an assistant professor at Penn State University, specializes in calf health and housing. She discusses practical innovations to enhance calf welfare, such as pair housing and automated feeders. The conversation highlights the importance of meal sizes in preventing cross-suckling behaviors and the critical role of colostrum for immunity. Dr. Cantor also reveals how predictive systems using feeding data can signal health risks, showcasing the balance between technology and human expertise in modern dairy farming.

Dr. Melissa Cantor, an Assistant Professor at Penn State University, specializes in dairy calf and heifer management. She discusses innovative nutrition strategies to enhance calf health, such as the significant benefits of pair housing within two weeks of birth. Colostrum feeding's crucial role in early development is highlighted, along with the need for optimal weaning practices. Additionally, she emphasizes how proper early nutrition can prevent diseases and improve long-term growth outcomes for dairy calves.