Good calf rearing practice: key
points
Birth cares and Colostrum
Objectives:
Colostrum is essential for a successful rearing of heifers.
Mortality is more likely to occur during the first two days and
one calf out of two does not have enough antibodies.
Important to know:
Colostrum is the first vital food. Antibodies found in colostrum
are the rst mean of immune defence for calves (protection against
bacteria and viruses found in the environment). A good colostrum
should contain at least 60 g/l of immunoglobulins.
Recommendations:
Give it as soon as possible: first lactation milk contains twice
as many antibodies as second lactation milk. Calves must drink
2L of colostrum as
soon as possible after birth. Distribute for 2 - 3 days (protective
lining on intestinal mucosa). Disinfect the umbilical cord.
Growth
Objectives:
Optimum growth during the «milk» phase will determine
the career of the future dairy cow (longevity, milk production,
etc.).
Important to know:
If growth is too weak: risk of retirement in half cases at 3rd
calving (< 700 g/day from 0 to 6 months = 5 kg less on weaning
= 20 kg less at 6 months = 200 litres milk less each lactation).
If growth is excessive, the udder will be less productive later.
Recommendations:
Calf birth weight should have doubled, which means an ADG of
about 800 g/day. Delay weaning for calves with a lower birth weight.
Milk Feeding
Objectives :
Milk feeds are essential for calves’ growth. This type
of feed is suited to its digestive physiology.
Important to know:
A proper preparation of the milk replacer is the basis for controlling
digestive problems: most dietary diarrhoea is due to an inadequate
preparation of the feed (temperature of preparation, distribution
and concentration, etc.)
Recommendations:
Follow the feeding programme: it is important to respect daily
quantities to avoid penalizing concentrated feed consumption.
Observe temperatures
- preparation (50 – 55 °C)
- distribution (42 – 45 °C)
Solid Feed
Objectives:
Consumption of solid feed (concentrated feed and fodder) is
central to favour changes of the digestive system so that the
heifer be able to function as a ruminant.
Important to know:
Increasing volumes are primarily ensured by the consumption
of coarse fodder (straw or hay) and the papillary development
rather than with concentrated feed (which has a stronger concentration
of volatile fatty acids).
Recommendations:
Provide solid feed from the first days: distribute it regularly,
in small quantities. Solid feed should be distributed at will.
Water
Objectives:
The water provided by drinking water is needed to hydrate the
animal and for the rumen to work properly.
Important to know:
Distribution of water out of milk feeding is essential for the
rumen to work properly and for the development of ruminal bacteria.
Make sure the quality of the water complies with bacteriological
standards.
Recommendations:
Wait approximately half an hour after milk meal before providing
the calf with water to prevent the water from getting into the
abomasum. Water needs increase with age and begin very early:
8 l / day at 2 weeks (6L with the milk feed and 2 extra litres
of water).
Main UK Agent's for Holland
Vee BV & Lactalis Feed
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