Calf Heifer Management

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Calf and Heifer ManagmentCalf and Heifer Managment

Amin Ahmadzadeh

Animal and Veterinary Science Department

University of Idaho

Reading Materials:Reading Materials:

Topics 45 & 46 of Dairy Cattle ScienceTopics 45 & 46 of Dairy Cattle Science

Raising HeiferRaising Heifer

Provide replacements for cows leaving theherd

Improve genetics and production raisedheifers economically

Future investment

n m ze ca mor a yTry for rapid growth and development

Minimize costs and increase the efficiency


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Goal is to minimize calf mortality

Starts with the cow

clean calving environment

growth and development

dystocia (difficu lt birth) leads to

stillbirths neonate mortality

colostrum deprivation

Care of the Born CalfCare of the Born Calf Stimulation of RespirationStimulation of Respiration

Remove the excess mucus from the nasalpassage an mou

Removal of accumulated fluid from lungs

Lifting the calf by the hind legs

Applying bi lateral pressure on the ribcage and

Tickling .


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Care of the Born CalfCare of the Born Calf

Physical examination and identification of thePhysical examination and identification of thecalfcalf

Examination of the mouth and the nose

Undesirable limb abnormalities

Extra attention to calves born with assistance

Freemartin

.(place an ID in the left

ear)

Separation

Care of the Born CalfCare of the Born Calf

Reduce the risk of navel infection and

Navel disinfection (within 2 hr of birth)Navel disinfection (within 2 hr of birth)

sep cem a

Saturate the navel with ...solution

Use laboratory squeeze bottle

Navel cord and area around i t should be

saturated

REMEMBER!!

Poor sanitation and mismanagement of the calving

area cannot be overcome by navel dipping


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Colostrum ManagementColostrum Management

ColostrumColostrum CollectionCollection

Bloody colostrum and colostrum collected from a cow

with mastitis must be discharged

Using colostrometer & after cooling down, check thequality(.)

.jugs and kept below 0OC

Indicate the IgG Concentration on the jug

@ 4OC for max. 2 days

Colostrum ManagementColostrum Management

ColostrumColostrum feedingfeeding

Two qt of top quality colostrum (mg/ml

IgG) within < ..hr after bir th

A second 2 qt of colostrum before 12 hr af ter birth

ColostrumColostrum Mgt.Mgt.

Keep a good record of colostrum quality for each

cow/heifer

Quality of colostrum fed to the calf should berecorded


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Time of colostrum feeding

Quality of colostrum ( cow age,

Factors affecting Ig absorptionFactors affecting Ig absorption

vaccinations, # of milk ings after calving)

Amount of colostrum fed

Stress

glucocorticoids cause gut closure

Season

higher absorptive ability in fall

Dr. Kincaid, WSU

90

100

Efficiency of Ig absorptionEfficiency of Ig absorption

20

30

40

50

60

70

0

10

0 4 8 12 16 20 24

Time (hours) relative to birth

Courtesy of Dr. Kincaid, WSU


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A Few Extra PointsA Few Extra Points

Any calf born as result of dystocia is moreprone to:

Stillbirth, Neonatal mortality, and colostrumdeprivation

Prolonged calving can result in hypoxia

Decrease in efficiency of colostrum

absorption

(Besser et al., 1990)

Calf HousingCalf Housing

Clan, dry, good ventilation, prevent calf-to-calfcontact (e.g. calf hutches)

Wet and filthy bedding must be avoided

Smooth stone river [6-8 inches]

Keep space between calf hutches or use everyother pen (when you can)

Place the hutches for exposure


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Courtesy Purdue University

Pre-ruminant - birth to 3 wk

Three phases of ruminant developmentThree phases of ruminant development

Transition -

Ruminant - > 8 wk


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Feeding the Young CalfFeeding the Young Calf

(Liquid Feed)(Liquid Feed)

Af terAf ter co lost rumcolostrum feeding:feeding:

Liquid : transition milk @ of birth wt. for 3

days thereafter both liquid and dry feed until weaning

Liquid feedLiquid feed

Transition milk [high nutrients and inexpensive]

Mastitis mil k ??, [prob lem w/ E. col i or Pasterurella]

Potential problems with growth rate

Milk replacer

Good choice overall

Colostrum feedingColostrum feeding

Colostrum Mgt.Colostrum Mgt.

Time of colostrum feedingTime of colostrum feeding

60

70

80

90

100

Efficiency of Ig absorptionEfficiency of Ig absorption

0

10

20

30

40

50

0 4 8 12 16 20 24

Time (hours) relative to birth


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Milk reMilk re-- lacer factors to considerlacer factors to consider


(Liquid:Milk Replacer)(Liquid:Milk Replacer)

Price

Quality

. analysis

In redients:Source of rotein and ener

source of emulsifiers and stabilizer

Major Nutrients:Major Nutrients:


(Liquid:Milk Replacer)(Liquid:Milk Replacer)

Metabolizable energy: .Mcal/lb

~ I lb/day

CP: 22% Ether extract: 15%Ca: .7 % P: .6% Mg: .07%Fe: 100 ppm Mn: 40 ppm Zn: 40 ppm

Vit A: 1700 IU/lb Vit D: 270 IU/lb Vit E: 90 IU/lb


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Starting 3 days after birthStarting 3 days after birth (calf starter)(calf starter)

Palatable Addition of molasses

Feeding the Young Calf (Dry Feed)Feeding the Young Calf (Dry Feed)

Fermented rapidly Important for VFAs and rumen development

Supply required nutrients

Sufficient fiber and bulk to maintain normal rumenalpapillae shape

, . .

High in energy and protein

Corn, barley Fat as long as does not reduce intake

Coccidiostate

Extra Points about the Calf StarterExtra Points about the Calf Starter

Starter should contain enough coarse

ingredients

Mixture of 20% chopped hay and 80%

starter

Starter should always be available

u yfresh

Keep the starter away from the water bucket


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Courtesy of Dr. Kincaid, WSU

DehorningDehorning

Use an electric dehorner

the quickest, the most effective


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Fig 45-20. Barnes type dehorners are mostcommonly used on older calves, and thistechnique requires removal of all horn budtissue for success (Courtesy of Dr. MarkKirkpatrick; Pfizer Animal Health)

WeaningWeaning

When to wean a calf

When calf steadily eats about lbof calf starter

Gaining .8 lb/day by 6 wks (~ 130-140lbs)

Small wt. loss after weaning can occurwhen calves do not consume enoughstarter


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WeaningWeaning

, .

practices that are stressful

Keep the calf in the hutch for about 10-15

days after weaning

Begin the grower feed

Calf Heifer Management

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