Managing the Pre-weaned Calf (original) (raw)
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Academia Letters, 2022
In this review article, we aimed to explore and discuss interrelationships amongst milk, starter and water intakes and to highlight their cumulative effects on optimizing young calf performance and health. In addition, the unique role of adequate quality water consumption in triggering starter intake and rumen development were discussed. Given that the pre-weaning performance of dairy heifers is associated with their subsequent productivity, efforts have been made to improve calf weight gain in pre-and post-weaning periods. Intensified feeding of whole milk or milk replacers is a nutritional strategy resulting in greater weight gain and feed efficiency in pre-weaning calves. However, depressed starter intake and delayed rumen development are the most prevalent concerns, leading producers to feed calves rather restricted amounts of milk in the pre-weaning period. Recent studies have shown that gradual weaning is a useful method to overcome such negative effects on starter intake and post-weaning performance. Individual differences exist among calves in starter intake behavior and amount. Notably important, calves fed greater amounts of milk and starter simultaneously, grow better and remain healthier than those merely consuming greater milk. To maximize growth performance in both pre-and post-weaning periods, greater starter consumption should be encouraged alongside greater milk intake. Water is essential for stimulating solid feed intake and establishing healthy microbial ecosystem in the rumen. Therefore, the promoted intakes
Calf health from birth to weaning. I. General aspects of disease prevention
Irish Veterinary Journal, 2011
Calfhood diseases have a major impact on the economic viability of cattle operations. This is the first in a three part review series on calf health from birth to weaning, focusing on preventive measures. The review considers both pre-and periparturient management factors influencing calf health, colostrum management in beef and dairy calves and further nutrition and weaning in dairy calves.
Early life management and long term productivity of dairy calves
2011
For many years, early life management of the calf has focused on survival rates and rumen development. However, recent studies suggest that colostrum status as well as nutritional status during the pre-weaning phase may have long term carry-over effects on milk yield potential (Foldager and Krohn, 1994; Bar-Peled et al, 1997; Shamay et al., 2005; Terré et al., 2009; Moallem et al. 2010).
Canadian National Dairy Study: Heifer calf management
In the past decade, substantial changes have occurred in the way dairy heifer calves are managed. The objectives of this study, part of phase I of the 2015 Canadian National Dairy Study, were to examine heifer calf health and adoption of rearing practices, and to explore factors associated with different rearing strategies on Canadian dairy farms. The questionnaire was open to all licensed dairy producers in Canada and had a 12% response rate (n = 1,373). Fifty-one percent of respondents reported never allowing heifer calves to nurse their dam, and 17% always removed calves within 30 min of birth. Sixty-seven percent reported always feeding heifer calves 4 L of colostrum within 12 h of birth; 17% always fed colostrum between 2100 and 0400 h; 5% pasteurized all colostrum fed on farm. Seventy-seven percent of respondents reported calving and stillbirth information for 2014; the mean reported stillbirth rate was 4.9% (SD = 3.3). Forty percent housed calves in individual pens, 34% in group pens, 21% in individual hutches, 2% reported tethering calves, and 1% used group hutches. Of those who housed calves in groups, 59% reported a maximum group size of 3 to 10 calves, 31% reported a pair (2) of calves per pen or hutch, and 10% reported a group >10 calves. The maximum amount of milk offered to calves per day during the preweaned period was a mean of 8 L (SD = 3). Fifty percent of respondents reported mortality data for 2014; mean preweaning mortality was 6.4% (SD = 8.3), and postweaning mortality was 2.4% (SD = 4.4). Over 95% of producers reported disbudding practices; 86% used cautery, 11% used surgical amputation, and 9% used caustic paste. Twenty-eight percent reported disbud-ding at less than 3 wk of age, 60% at 3 to 8 wk, and 22% at 8 to 16 wk; 5% of respondents reported dehorning at more than 16 wk of age. Sixty-six percent of cautery users reported use of local anesthetic, 33% used sedation , and 25% used a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Multivariable regression models showed that the use of local anesthetic when disbudding calves was associated with social media activity (odds ratio = 2.3) and high-speed internet access (odds ratio = 2.0), whereas sedation was associated with geographic region, and NSAID use was associated with disbudding at more than 3 wk of age. Exploring heifer rearing management practices, including adoption of best practices, may help focus future education and extension efforts. Poor reporting of mortality data may reflect a lack of recordkeeping on farm.
animal
Growth rates in pre-weaned calves influence their health, age at first calving and lifetime productivity. Many farms restrict milk rations to encourage solid feed intake and facilitate early weaning, but this can compromise growth. This study determined the milk feeding policies and associated growth rates on 11 commercial dairy farms in South East England, each following their normal management regime. Between 26 and 54 heifers were recruited per farm, providing a final cohort of 492, of which 71% were pure Holstein. Information on calf rearing practices (feeding, weaning, housing) and health was collected via questionnaires and weekly observations. Estimates of actual milk fed (kg solids) between 1 and 63 days were calculated for individual calves. Morphometric data (weight, height, length) were taken at weeks 1, 5 and 9 and at a median age of 7.5 months and growth rates were calculated. Most calves were fed milk replacer via automated feeders (four farms), teat feeder (one) or bu...
A survey of pre-weaning calf management in Norwegian dairy herds
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 2021
The knowledge on dairy calves' needs with regards to milk feeding and social housing is expanding but to be able to make improvements, knowledge is needed on how calves are managed at present in Norway. The aim of this study was to describe selected milk-feeding practices and social housing procedures for young (pre-weaning) dairy calves in Norwegian herds. A short questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 912 dairy producers. For each herd, we asked how much milk was fed to 3 week old dairy calves, number of daily milk feedings, usage of milk replacer, number of weeks calves were housed in single pens, and whether calves at 3 weeks had free access to drinking water. In total, 508 herd managers responded to the questionnaire (56% response rate). Descriptive statistics showed that median milk allowance for 3 week old calves was seven (IQR 6-8) L milk/d, ranging from 2 to 15 L/day. Consequently, 311 (61%) herds reportedly fed less than the current industry recommendation in Norway (8 L milk/d to young calves). Automatic milk feeders were used by 30 herds (6%). In herds feeding milk manually (n = 471), half of the herds (50%) fed milk twice daily. Median number of daily milk feedings was 3 (31%) while 13% fed four times/day or more frequent (6%). Of the 226 producers (46%) who reported to use milk replacer, this milk type was used from the calf age of (median) 2 weeks. Of all herds, 82 (16%) did not provide their 3 week old calves with free access to drinking water. In the surveyed herds, calves were housed in single pens for (median) 2 weeks (IQR 2-3), while legislation allows single housing until the age of 8 weeks. In conclusion, the milk allowances reported in this survey are low compared to industry recommendations which again are low compared to voluntary intakes of young dairy calves. Free access to drinking water is important to calf welfare but was not granted to all dairy calves. Most calves were reportedly group housed at an early age, which indicates an improved awareness with regards to the importance of social housing.
Reduced calf mortality when the calf’s needs are leading : Pledge for a renewed view on calf rearing
2017
Over the past years calf mortality is gradually increasing in The Netherlands. This is not good for the calves in the first place, but secondly a problem for the dairy farmer as well as the whole sector (dairy and veal/beef). Most significant measures are well known but seemingly hard to implement. Due to the often high workload on dairy farms, other farm activities easily get priority over calf rearing. Lack of time and attention prevent a structural improvement of the rearing results. A renewed view on management and housing systems, and nutrition of young calves can be a stimulant in the quest for solving pathways meeting the care needs of the young calf and the optimal care offer of the dairy farmer. And let’s be honest, no farmer likes to see his calves die!
The influence of neonatal health on weaning weight of Colarado, USA beef calves
Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 1994
The effect of morbidity during early life on the weaning weight of calves in Colorado beef herds was investigated as part of a prospective longitudinal observational study. A total of 2609 calves born in nine participating herds during the 1990 and 1991 calving seasons were monitored for disease events and subsequently weighed at weaning as a measure of performance. Morbidity outcomes of interest and their observed Inodence rates were: general neonatal (to 45 days) morbidity, 2.6%; neonatal diarrhea, 1.0%; neonatal respiratory disease, 1.0%; and mothering problems/weak calves, 0.4%. Mean calf weaning weight was 244_+ 46 kg. Weaning weight data were adjusted by multiple regression for the effects of the herd, year, age of the calf, age of the dam, calf sex, frame size of the dam, and twin birth. General morbidity during the neonatal period resulted in a 15.9 kg reduction (P< 0.01) in calf weaning weight. When morbidity was investigated as more specific disease condiUons, calves that were classified as mothering problems/weak calves (i.e. calves that experienced maternal neglect, abandonment, or starvation, and weak calves) weighed 24.4 kg less (P< 0.01) at weaning than did non-afflicted calves. Respiratory conditions and diarrhea during the neonatal period resulted in 16.5 kg (P<0.01) and 10.7 kg (P< 0.05) reductions in weaning weight, respectively. Thus, disease occurrence during the early life of the calf had a detrimental effect on weaning weight. ~From a dissertation submitted to the Academic Faculty of Colorado State Umverslty in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Financial support provided in part by the Colorado State University Agricultural Experimental Station