Our Story

The 1980’s were an exciting time. Rapid developments in computing technology meant that computing resources previously available only at large corporations or universities suddenly were becoming available to everyone. IBM and Apple introduced “microcomputers” – with limited resources at the time, but with enough computing power to allow users to formulate simple diets, group animals, and predict economic returns on the farm. There was a lack of modeling data to develop prediction models for calves and heifers, which became the topic for Jim’s Ph.D. disseration. Soon advanced ration formulation software was available and the consulting nutritionist industry was born. Computer technology on the dairy farm became the thread of this saga.

From the humble beginnings of a model 5150 IBM personal computer with floppy drives and 64K operating systems to today’s turbocharged laptops with gigabytes of RAM and terrabytes of disk space, Calf Notes has been a constant source of calf management information for one and all. We began in 1997. Spanish translations began in the early 2000’s, followed by translations into Portuguese in the mid-2000’s and Russian in 2020. Russian translations were sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The NC-119 Connection

The NC-119 Regional Research project, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was a program to fund research and outreach at Land Grant universities and improve large dairy herd management. Members of this project conducted collaborative research at their universities to assist the rapidly changing dairy industry become more profitable. Dairy herds were disappearing, but cows were moving to larger and larger herds. Milk production per cow increased constantly with improved genetics, nutrition, and management. Calves were being raised on dedicated “calf ranches”. NC-119 had a strong group of calf-focused members, and as a member from the University of Tennessee in the 1990’s, I participated in research on how to help producers become more efficient in calf raising.

The advent of the internet in the early 1990’s created a need and opportunity to use this new technology to provide dairy management information through this “new” medium. Many members of NC-119 volunteered to develop websites to provide farm management information through the “world wide web”. I volunteered to write articles on calf rearing and managment. Calf Notes was born in 1997.

Since those humble beginnings, Calf Notes has always been a source for scientifically sound calf management information. It remains so today.

To stay relevant in this more rapid, video-based medium, Calf Notes needs to change and grow. Thus, we introduce What’s Happening? in 2025. Also, Calf Notes Consulting, LLC, was founded in 2024 to provide the industry with consulting services based on Jim’s 40+ years of experience working with calves.

Our newest endeavor – GPS – was rolled out in 2025 as a science-based growth model for calves to 4 months of age. It extends the capability of the NASEM calf model and adds many options and adjustments to the model to make it more flexible – and accurate.