Calf Notes Academy was designed to meet people where they are in their learning journey. Over the years, we’ve worked with producers, employees, students, veterinarians, and nutritionists who all approach calf management with very different backgrounds and needs. Rather than forcing everyone into a single format or level of complexity, we developed distinct curricula—each with a clear purpose, audience, and style—while staying grounded in the same science-based philosophy that has always guided Calf Notes.
Calf Notes Basics is intended for people who are just beginning to learn about calves or who want quick, focused explanations of common topics. These short videos—typically less than two minutes—introduce foundational ideas in a simple, approachable way. The goal is not to cover everything, but to deliver clear concepts that can be easily understood, remembered, and shared. Basics is often the first step for new employees, students, or anyone looking for straightforward answers without technical detail.
What’s Happening? is built around real-world observations captured in photos taken over more than 40 years working with calves and farms. Each episode tells the story behind a single image and highlights the “teachable moment” it represents. Sometimes the lesson is about good management, sometimes about unintended consequences, and sometimes about asking better questions. This series is designed to slow things down, encourage critical thinking, and connect everyday scenes to broader principles of calf care.
Calf 101 is a structured, seven-unit introductory course that provides a holistic overview of calf nutrition and management. It is comparable to an introductory university-level course, but it is designed to be accessible to anyone—no college background required. The emphasis is on understanding how pieces fit together: nutrition, growth, health, housing, and management decisions. Calf 101 is ideal for those who want a solid foundation and a framework for making informed decisions rather than memorizing isolated recommendations.
Tech Seminars are long-form, in-depth presentations intended for advanced audiences who want the science in full detail. These seminars range from 40 to 90 minutes and are deliberately “no holds barred”—highly technical, data-driven, and unapologetically scientific. They are designed for veterinarians, nutritionists, researchers, and experienced professionals who want to dig deeply into mechanisms, assumptions, and evidence. While not for everyone, Tech Seminars reflect our commitment to transparency and rigorous discussion of the science behind calf management.