The objective of this study was to evaluate average daily gain (ADG) in US dairy heifer calves based on different liquid diets and management practices. This study was conducted as part of the calf component of the National Animal Health Monitoring System’s Dairy 2014 study, which included 123 dairy operations in 13 states. Dairy 2014’s calf component is a yearlong longitudinal study focused on dairy heifer calves from birth to weaning; data were collected on 851 calves from 92 operations. The results from the interim analysis are based on approximately 25% of the total number of calves expected to be enrolled in the study. Liquid diets were categorized by type (i.e., milk replacer, waste/whole milk, or a combination of the 2 (combination)) and by volume (i.e., > 4.9 kg/d or ≤ 4.9 kg/d). The mean ADG was 0.7 kg per day, and calves were fed liquid diets an average of 58.8 d. Backward elimination model selection was used to determine which diet and management practices significantly affected ADG. Using initial results, the model included liquid diet (P = 0.004), disease (P < 0.001), housing (P = 0.0189), and dehorning (P = 0.001). After controlling for other independent variables in the model, calves fed a combination diet gained, on average, 0.14 kg/day more than calves fed any milk replacer or a low volume of milk. Calves fed a high volume of milk outgained calves fed milk replacer or a low volume of milk by 0.15 kg/day. Calves without any disease events gained 0.07 kg/day more than calves with one or more disease events. Calves housed in groups gained 0.15 kg/day more than calves housed individually. Preweaned heifer calves that were dehorned gained 0.11 kg/day more than calves that were not dehorned. These initial results indicate the type of liquid diet fed, the amount fed, as well as other management practices unrelated to feeding, affect ADG.