Meet Dr Drew “The Calf Guru”
Drew A. Vermeire, Ph.D., PAS, Dipl. ACAN
Dr Drew VERMEIRE has been called “The Calf Guru” by many clients over many years. Dr Drew brings clarity, structure, and science-based insight to calf nutrition and management.
Bringing together decades of experience in research, consulting, and field application, Dr Drew works with multiple companies and client partnerships. The goal is simple: to improve calf health, well-being, and performance through informed decision-making, practical guidance, and customized strategies to lower the cost of production under the real-world conditions of each operation.
“I’m not in the feed business, I’m in the calf business!”
Background & Experience
Dr. Drew Vermeire has spent decades working in the fields of animal nutrition and calf management. His career spans academic research, corporate consulting, field program development, and education. Originally from Kansas City, he has worked with producers and organizations across the United States, as well as in Canada, Mexico, France, and Italy.
He is widely recognized for his hands-on approach and focus on applying research to real-world production challenges. In addition to his consulting work, he continues to lead independent research efforts and write on topics related to early-life nutrition, calf survivability, and growth.
- Working professionally with calves since 1988
- Consulting nutritionist with calf ranches and feedlots ranging from approximately 1,000 to 100,000 calves
- Corporate work with milk replacer and feed ingredient companies in the United States, France, Canada, Mexico, and Italy
- Research conducted with dairy beef calves, veal calves, beef cattle, and dairy cattle
- Developed the BABY DOLL Program, beginning in 1989, for feeding dairy and dairy-beef calves for efficient, economical performance
Professional Credentials & Affiliations
- Drew A. Vermeire, Ph.D., PAS, Dipl. ACAN
- B.S. Agriculture, M.S., and Ph.D. from The Ohio State University
- Diplomate, American College of Animal Nutrition (2001)
- Professional Animal Scientist (PAS), ARPAS member since 1996
- Member, American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) since 1990
- Reviewer, Journal of Dairy Science
- Former Sustaining Member, American Society of Animal Science (ASAS)
- Author of calf articles for “Progressive Dairyman” since 2018
Dr. Vermeire has spoken at numerous national and international industry events and continues to contribute to scientific and professional communities in animal agriculture.
Articles & Presentations
Dr. Drew has authored calf articles for Progressive Dairyman since 2018, sharing research-backed insight on calf nutrition and management. PDF copies of those articles, along with presentation materials from industry events, are available on request.
Request Articles & PresentationsComing Soon
Progressive Dairyman article archive and downloadable presentation PDFs will be posted here as they are added.
Our Companies
Several related businesses support calf ranchers and growers. TheCalfGuru.com is the single destination for all of them.
Nouriche Nutrition LLC
The public face of the business. Retail sales, calf ranch consulting, corporate consulting, product development, sales and marketing, custom calf research, and the BABY DOLL Program all run through Nouriche.
VEAUX LLC
Wholesale sales, select consulting, and contract research.
BABY DOLL BEEF INC
Custom calf raising: Holstein and Angus × Holstein / Beef-on-Dairy crossbred calves raised from baby calves to approximately 200–400 lbs, managed for outside owners and investors.
The Calf Guru
TheCalfGuru.com is the main destination for every service above. As Dr. Drew puts it: all roads lead to TheCalfGuru.com.
What Clients Say
Consulting
“I have successfully used Dr Drew’s methods and techniques for many years to help my dairy and calf ranch clients raise healthier calves. Dr Drew’s techniques really work!”
Dr Seth STAMMERJOHN
Westside Veterinary Services, Inc., Los Banos, California
Consulting
“At our calf ranch, we raise approximately 55,000 calves per year. Dr Drew has really helped us improve our calf management program. Calves have earlier rumen development and gain more weight while we are feeding less milk replacer per calf. It’s a win-win!”
Jorge M.
California
BABY DOLL Program
“We conducted a fair comparison of calves, equally spaced in the barn, fed either BABY DOLL or the feed we’ve been using. Through 80 days of age, calves fed BABY DOLL gained 13.5 lb more than calves fed a popular feed program. BABY DOLL really works!”
Sam B.
Ohio
sQWash
“I call sQWash my ‘secret weapon’ against E. coli, Salmonella, and Clostridia. sQWash has really helped us and our customers with raising healthier calves.”
Chris LANDWEHR
Wisconsin
C.H.E.E.R.S.
“I’m a repeat C.H.E.E.R.S. customer and my death loss is between 1 and 1 ½ percent. I found that when I treat calves with C.H.E.E.R.S., not only do I keep calves alive, but they become healthy calves again, not cull calves.”
Ernie G.
Indiana
Custom Calf Research
“Objective calf research conducted by Dr Drew’s team has been an important piece in demonstrating the efficacy and benefits of EggTek-C in calves. We received the final report in less than six months from when the trial began, and at a fraction of the cost of university research.”
Michelle Tollefson
Arkion Life Sciences