Calf and Heifer Nutrition Note

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Calf and Heifer Nutrition

Amin Ahmadzadeh

Animal and Veterinary Science Department

University of Idaho

Other Sources: Dairy Cattle Science, 1st edition. Editor Tyler

Slides courtesy of Dr. H.D. Tyler, Iowa State University


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Raising Heifer

Provide replacements for cows leaving theherd

Improve genetics and production raised

heifers economically

Future investment

Minimize ----------------------------

Try for rapid growth and development

Minimize ---------------increase --------------------


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Starts with the cow

clean ---------------------------------

aid in calf delivery to avoid -----------------------

dystocia (difficult birth) leads to

stillbirths

neonate mortality

colostrum deprivation

Goal is to minimize calf mortalityand morbidity to allow for rapid

growth and development


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Dystocia

Any abnormal or difficult delivery process

Poor communication between the fetal calf and its

dam

Malpresentation of the calf Difficulties due to inappropriate assistance

Scoring system for calving ease

5 point system

Score of 1 indicates --------------------------------------

Unobserved calvings are scored 1 by definition


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Fig 45-1. Malpresentations, such as this backwards presentation, are more

common in multiparous than in primiparous cows (Courtesy of HowardTyler, Iowa State Univ.)


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Fig 45-2. Mechanical calf jacks can generate over 1700 pounds of force on the calfand should only be utilized in extreme situations and with extreme care (Courtesyof Iowa State University, Iowa State Univ.)


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Care of the Born Calf

Stimulat ion of Respirat ion Remove the excess mucus from the nasal

passage and mouth

Removal of accumulated ----------------------------

Lifting the calf by the hind legs

Applying bilateral pressure on the ribcage and

forward motion from the abdomen to the neck

Tickling nasal passage with a piece of straw


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Examination of the mouth and the nose

Undesirable -----------------------------------

Extra attention to calves born with assistance

Freemartin

---------------------------------------------------

Separation from --------------------------

Phys ical exam inat ion and ident i f icat ion o f the

calf


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Reduce the risk of --------------------------------------------------------------

Saturate the navel with -------------------------------

Use laboratory squeeze bottle

Navel cord and area around it should besaturated

REMEMBER!!

Poor sani tat ion and m ismanagement of the calv ing

area cannot be overcome by navel dipping

Navel dis infect ion (wi th in 2 hr of b ir th)


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The desired outcome of a successful reproductive program is a health, live calf

(Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick, Pfizer Animal Health)


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Colostrum Management

Colostrum Collection Bloody colostrum and colostrum collected from a cow

with ---------------- must be discharged

Using colostrometer & after cooling down, check thequality (> ---------- mg/ml IgG)

Extra high quality colostrum should be stored in 2 qt.

jugs and kept below 0OC

Indicate the IgG Concentration on the jug

@ 4OC for max. 2 days


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Colostrum Management

Colostrum feeding

--------------------- of top quality colostrum (70-100

mg/ml IgG) within < 4 hr after birth

A second ------------of colostrum before -----------after

birth

Colostrum Mgt.

Keep a good record of colostrum quality for eachcow/heifer

Quality of colostrum fed to the calf should berecorded


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Calves that won't voluntarily consume colostrum are force fed with an esophageal feeder(adapted from Dairy Cattle Science, Courtesy of Emily Barrick)


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Colostrum feeding

Colostrum Mgt.

-------------------------------

0

10

20

3040

50

60

70

80

90

100

0 4 8 12 16 20 24

Time (hours) relative to birth

Efficiency of Ig absorption


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Calf Housing

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

Wet and filthy bedding must be avoided

Smooth river rocks [6-8 inches]

Keep -------------------------------------------- or useevery other pen (when you can)

Place the hutches for ---------------------------


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Feeding the Young Calf(Liquid Feed)

After colos trum feeding:

Liquid: transition milk @ ------------------------- birth wt. for

3-4 days

thereafter both liquid and dry feed until weaning


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Extra Points about the Calf Starter

Starter should contain enough coarseingredients

Mixture of ----------- chopped hay and ------------

---- starter

Starter should always be available

Feed proper amount daily to keep the feedfresh

Keep the starter away from -------------------------


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Stimulating Rumen Development

Fresh water should be available to calf

from birth

Calves easily dehydrate

Free water intake is crucial for maintaining

a normal rumen environment Increases dry matter intake


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The amount of calf starter fed daily should be limited to just slightly morethan the calf consumes in the same period (Courtesy of Iowa State

University)


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Courtesy of Dr. Kincaid, WSU


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Dehorning Can be accomplished as early as --------------- of age

Use an electric or gas dehorner the quickest, the most effective

Gas dehorners cauterize the blood supply to the horn bud and

effectively dehorn without leaving an open wound (Courtesyof Dr. Mark Kirkpatrick, Pfizer Animal Health)


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Fig 45-20. Barnes type dehorners are mostcommonly used on older calves, and thistechnique requires removal of all horn bud tissue

for success (Courtesy of Dr. Mark Kirkpatrick;Pfizer Animal Health)


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Removing Supernumary Teats

Extra teats have no value and mayinterfere with milking

Should be removed when calf is ------------months of age

Usually little bleeding when teats areproperly removed


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Weaning

When to wean a calf

------------- weeks of age

When calf s teadi ly eats abou t ----------- o f

cal f s tarter Gaining .8 lb/day by 6 wks (~ 130-140

lbs)

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


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Calf-hood Health and Disease Management

Minimize pathogen exposure Sanitation

Maternity stall

Calves housed in clean, well-ventilated area

Minimizing contacts Individual housing systems

Adequate space between calves

People exposed to calves practice good hygiene Care for calves prior to older animals

Develop chore routine to minimize pathogentransmission


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Weaning

Weaning is stressful, do not do other mgt.practices that are stressful

Keep the calf in the hutch for about ---------------------- days after weaning

Begin the grower feed


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From Weaning to Breeding

Heifers should be moved to a group pen

Start feeding calf grower diet

Calf grower can be fed, ad l ib i tum , until ------

-------------- age

Feeding -------------------is not advisable

Provide good quality hay Do not forget clean and adequate water

Provide an adequate feeder space


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Managing Heifer Development

Goals:

Provide replacements for cows leaving theherd

Improve genetics and production

Raise heifers efficiently and economically___________________

I. Age at calving

II. Body size at calving

III. Controlling Expense

feed and laborIV. Ease of care

V. Optimizing Health


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Age at calvingBody size at calving

The recommended goal for dairyreplacement Holstein heifers:

Calving at ------------------months of age

Post-calving BW of-----------------.


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1200-1250 post-calving weight supports

optimum 1st lactation milk yield

Over-conditioned heifers do not

perform well and have reduced milkyield

Remember:

1200-1250 lb. Post-calving weighttranslates to a 1300-1350 lb pre-

calving weight


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Should We Forget about Age?

Calving age, at when heifers reaches to 1250, isimportant

Late calving translates to less productive life

Late calving translates to larger expenses

$$ rearing heifers (birth to calving)= $1800 -$2000

$$ The earlier the lactation occurs, the soonerthe initial investment will be returned


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Check These Numbers Delayed calving beyond 24 months

rearing costs = $50/mo/heifer


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Attaining 1250 lb in 24 Months

ADG of ---------------------from birth to pre-calving (~1350 lb.)

Sexual maturity of Holstein heifers beginsat ~ ------------------------------ (around 9-10

months of age)


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Maximum lb gain/day = 1.8 lb

Achieve 800 lb & 48" height at 14 monthsof age

ADG < 1.5 lb is unacceptable and not

economical

ADG > 2.0 lb might be problematic anddetrimental to milk yield

Attaining 1250 lb in 24 Months


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Age (mo.) Body weight(lbs.)

Wither height(inches)

1 130-135 31.7-33.2

3 226-244 35.2-37.1

5 323-354 38.4-40.4

7 420-463 41.1-43.3

8 469-518 42.3-44.5

9 518-572 43.4-44.5

11 615-682 45.4-47.6

13 712-791 47.1-49.3

14 761-864 47.8-50.0

16 858-956 49.0-51.2

18 956-1065 50.2-52.1

20 1053-1174 51.0-53.0

22 1150-1284 51.7-55.0

24 1247-1393 52.2-56.5

Recommended ranges of BW and wither height for Holstein heifers

Adapted from Looper and BethardThe progressive Dairyman


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Fig 46-1. Heifer weight can be accurately estimated by measuring

heart girth using a weight tape (Courtesy of Iowa State University)


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Measure weight and height

Control growth

KEY TO SUCCESS IN HEIFER

RAISING


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Breeding Age Heifers

Breeding age (------------- months) Body condition score

Wither height measurement

Balanced ration: ~-----------------DM

Make sure that heifers do not loose BW andbody condition at this stage.


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Calf and Heifer Nutrition Note

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