Heifers

Calves

Colostrum

Proper colostrum administration as soon as possible after calving is the greatest influence on the future survivability of the newborn. The colostrum contains essential disease fighting proteins that will protect the calf until its immune system can function on its own.

Timing is important because as the calf ages the ability to absorb colostrum decreases. The calf can fully absorb colostrum up to 2 hours post calving. By six hours the ability starts to diminish rapidly and by 24 hours the chances of getting any absorption is minimal. The important thing is to get the colostrum into the calf as soon as possible after birth with 2 hours post calving being the goal.

Selecting the best quality is made easier by using a colostrometer, which measures the specific gravity. Recommendations for amounts range from 2-4 quarts of high quality colostrum. Calves can';t be relied on to nurse the proper amount from the cow so either allowing the calf to nurse from a bottle or fed with a tube feeder is the only way to assure the necessary amount is fed. Colostrum that doesn't meet the excellent category is excellent feed for calves greater than 24 hours old.

Another important point to remember about colostrum management is that it should be fresh and contaminant free. Colostrum is a volatile product and spoils quickly if not fed fresh or stored at cold or frozen temperatures quickly after harvesting. Excellent quality colostrum can kill calves if it is allowed to spoil and grow excessive bacteria. Colostrum is easily frozen in zip lock bags and can be thawed when fresh colostrum isn't available. Store the colostrum within ½ hour after harvest to prevent spoilage. Refrigerate it if it will be fed within 24 hours or freeze it if it will be longer.

The best indication that colostrum is being handled properly is minimal calf losses or treatments during the early life of the calf. Diarrhea, calves dying in the first week and several calves needing treatment are all indications that colostrum is not being managed right.

The level of colostrum can be easily measured by testing the serum with a refractometer. Discuss measuring colostrum with your veterinarian. It is such an important aspect of calf raising that getting it right is essential to the future of the calf operation. More specific tests can be run that actually measure the immunoglobulins or specific disease fighting proteins, but simple testing is the preferred first step.

Remember, all the dry cow vaccination you do to protect the calf is a waste of time if you don't get the colostrum into the calf.

Environment

There are a lot of workable calf facilities available and some that don't work as well. What is important about the housing for the calf is that is dry and clean. We prevent all diseased by either reducing exposure of harmful organisms and/or increasing resistance. We do what we can for improving the immunity through vaccination and colostrum but it is vital that we keep the exposure of organisms to a minimal. Viruses and bacteria don't grow as well in a dry environment. Check your calf bedding to see if it is constantly wet. Get down with the calf and check it carefully.

Ventilation is important as well. Stale air compromises the calf's lung system and makes it more susceptible to pneumonia. If you are losing more calves or treating more than you think are appropriate, look at its environment checking for wetness, manure contamination, and ammonia smell in the air.

Look at feeding utensils, which can be a major source of contamination. Clean and disinfect feeding utensil after use. The best immune system can be overcome by excessive contamination.

Feeding

Milk

Feeding the calf is another essential aspect of reducing losses. Good nutrition not only promotes adequate growth, but it also is what keeps the immune system strong. We can give the calf adequate colostrum, keep it in a clean dry well ventilated environment and still sustain losses due to starvation. As stated before fresh cow milk can be used as available when fed fresh and unspoiled.

Powdered milk replacer is the most economical source for milk. Look for a milk replacer that is backed by good research and experience. Proper mixing concentration and agitation is essential for the replacer to function properly. Too diluted or concentrated, and improperly agitated can cause problems with the digestive system of the calf. If you are using a quality product with undesirable results check mixing before you decide there is a need to change. Really cheap replacers are cheap for a reason. Make sure you use a reputable source for your replacer.

There has been discussion about the amount of dry matter intake that should be fed in the form of milk or replacer. Although rate of gain increases with higher intakes, be careful not to overburden the digestive system of the calf. Problems can arise from overfeeding calves. If calves are dying suddenly, or bloating frequently, consider the possibility of overfeeding milk or milk replacer. Again it is important to consider the possibility of milk or milk replacer being a source of contamination when it is allowed to spoil. Keep it fresh and feed in clean, sanitized utensils.

Grain

The most important aspects of grain feeding are providing a high quality product and keeping it fresh. Discuss with your nutritionist what is the best mix for starting calves on grain. Unless you have the ability to accurately mix and store calf grain, commercial starters are usually better. Many of the vitamins, trace elements, and supplements require accurate micro mixing to be properly delivered. A high quality, highly palatable mixture with high protein is essential.

Introduce grain sometime in the first week and feed it at a level that will be consumed in 24 hours. This means that in the beginning only a handful will be fed and the excess fed to older calves. Look in the feed buckets daily for spoiled, wet feed. Calves will refuse feed if it is spoiled and adding new feed on top of it will waste more. It is best to dump spoiled feed and start with fresh daily.

Water

Water is the most essential nutrient for life. Calves need a constant source of fresh water. Good water quality and availability will increase feed intake and promote gain. Routinely check water buckets for cleanliness and freshness. If it isn';t cool and clean, dump it and replace it.

Alfalfa

The need for alfalfa with the young calf is often a source for heated debates. There are some that feel exposure to alfalfa is essential early on for good calf health and those that feel it is absurd to feed alfalfa until well after the weaning period. The fact remains that there are successful calf facilities that feed hay early on and those that don't. What is important is to develop a feeding program that can be followed and documented for success. If hay is part of the program make sure it is excellent quality, kept fresh and not allowed to be wasted. No feed is economical if it is wasted.