There is growing interest in the use of precision livestock technologies (PLT) for dairy calf management. However, there are few sensors commercially available and validated for use in this population. The long-term goal of this research is to optimize pre-weaned dairy calf management using PLT to improve calf health through early disease detection, customized treatment recommendations, and monitoring for recovery. The interdisciplinary project described in this seed grant proposal aims to address the first stage of this long-term goal through design and development of a novel multimodal sensor technology embedded into the nipple from which calves receive milk at automated milk feeding (AMF) stations. We propose to integrate three sensor modalities (pressure, vibration, and contact thermography) within the nipple from which calves feed. The objectives of this project will be to develop this novel PLT for calves fed milk via nipple feeder; to measure and characterize suckling behavior over time at multiple levels (individual feeding, day, 60 d pre-weaning period); and, to describe deviations in normal suckle behavior associated with health and disease in dairy calves prior to weaning. Preliminary activities will focus on sensor development, testing, and validation. Preliminary data will characterize normal suckle behavior and inform sensor placement around the nipple. The anticipated impact of this novel PLT development for calves is to leverage existing behaviors and activities (i.e., feeding milk to pre-weaned calves) to assist dairy producers with calf health management and thus improve calf health, welfare, and make more efficient use of farm staffing resources.