Calf Section Table of Contents

Transcription

1 Calf Section Table of Contents Calving Area Fresh Cow Challenges Maternity Pen Standards Newborn Calf Sheet Newborn Management Colostrum Quality Colostrum Components Quantity Quickness Colostrum Digestion Antibody Absorption Cleanliness Milk Replacer Winter Recommendations Calculating Solids Calf Starter Calf Growth (ADG) Weaning Rumen Development Dehydration Water Housing THI Wind Chill Chart Handling Biosecurity Health Calf Health Scoring Chart Lying Comfort Score Card Disease Age Distribution of Disease Method of Transmission Coccidial Life Cycle Diarrhea Management Stats Calf Walk Through

2 Calving Area Management The maternity pen should be the highest priority area. Keep this area dry and clean for the dry cow. o Deep bedded, dry pack. o Cleanliness will limit the disease load thrust upon the calf at birth. o Reduced udder infections will be an added benefit of a clean calving area. o Clean between each calving. Do not use as a hospital pen. Sick cows will significantly increase the pathogen load the calf is exposed to. Keep the freshening cow separate from other cows. This will reduce any social stresses while calving. o Individual pen 12 ft x 12 ft o Group pen ft 2 / cow Minimize the use of mechanical pulling whenever possible. Use your best judgement at time of calving to reduce calf and cow stress. Fresh Cow Challenges Challenge Risk Low DMI Slower recovery with chance of metabolic issues Hypocalcemia Increased risk of immune compromise & other metabolic problems Magnesium / Potassium Deficiency Increased risk of metabolic issues Negative Energy Balance Increased risk of metabolic issues Dehydration Loss of milk production Ketosis Lower feed intake and reduced milk production DOA Perinatal mortality Umbilicus Passive transfer Colostrum Quantitative colostrum culture Maternity Pen Industry Standards Index < Standard Standard > Standard Calving Difficulty > 2% 2% < 2% Cows > 4% 4% < 4% Heifers > 8% 8% < 8% 1 48 h > 7% 6-7% < 6% Appropriate navel dip Not every calf / poor coverage Every calf / good coverage Every calf / excellent coverage Serum total (% > 5.5 g/dl) < 70% 70-80% > 85% Serum IgG (> 10 mg/ml) < 75% 75-90% > 90% Quality (Brix Scale) < 17% 18 21% > 22% Quickly (h) > < 2 Quantity (qt) < > 4 Total plate count* > 100,000 CFU/mL 100,000 CFU/mL < 100,000 CFU/mL Total coliform count > 10,000 CFU/mL 10,000 CFU/mL < 10,000 CFU/mL Adapted from Zoetis Calf & Heifer Assessment, Quigley 2001 & Morrill et al. 2012

3 Time/Amount of 2 nd Colostrum Newborn Calf Sheet Cow # Calf # Birth Date Birth Time Calving Difficulty (0-5) Time of Calf Removal Navel Dip (2)(3)(4) Quarts of Colostrum 1 st Feeding (<4 hours) Time/Amount of 1 st Colostrum

4 Newborn Management Separate the mother from the calf immediately at birth. o Suckling from a contaminated udder may transmit disease to the newborn calf. o By separating the calf from the mother, the quantity of colostrum the calf has consumed can be more easily measured. Soak the calf's navel in a 7% iodine solution as soon as possible after birth. Keep calves warm and dry. o Winter: dry in warming box for one hour, use jackets if needed. Colostrum Management Colostrum provides important passive immunity to the calf. This provides the calf with a solid defense against calfhood disease pressures that may be present on most calf raising operations. A well-designed and executed colostrum management program is essential to help meet the objectives of a successful calf raising program. 1. Quality Measure colostrum quality with a colostrometer or Brix refractometer. o Brix score: Low < 17% Med 18-21% High > 22% Passive immune status targets in calves o Serum total protein > mg / dl (1-7 days of age) o Serum IgG > 10 mg / ml (24-96 hours of age) Lower calf mortality, improved resistance to disease, and improved weight gains are some of the measurable benefits of a good colostrum feeding program. Quigley 2001.

5 Colostrum Components Component Colostrum Transition Milk 1 st Milking 2 nd Milking 3 rd Milking Whole Milk Total solids (%) Fat (%) Protein (%) Lactose (%) Vitamin A (μg / dl) Immunoglobulins (%) Heinrichs. NRC 2001 & USDA To Get Higher Quality Colostrum Drying the cow 6 to 8 weeks before calving enables antibodies to concentrate in the udder. Cows milked right through to calving are unable to develop colostrum with the necessary content of immunoglobulins. Through vaccination of the dry cow, additional immunity is passed on to the calf. This gained immunity and also later through the colostrum. *Goal > 50 g / L IgG in colostrum* 2. Quantity Feed at least 3 quarts (6 lb) within 1 hour after birth and another 3 quarts no more than 12 hours later. The benefits of colostrum quantity are illustrated below.

6 Clemson University Hand feed colostrum with a nipple and bottle. Use esophageal feeder if necessary. Save and freeze any unused, high-quality colostrum. *Goal = g of IgG per calf* 3. Quickness Feed colostrum within 1 hour of birth. The gut absorption of IgG closes hours after birth. Supply colostrum to the calf for the first 3 days of life. TechMix Global.

7 Antibody Absorption Ability Declines Quickly After Birth Serum IgG (g/l) Age at 1 st Feeding (h) Compendium Cleanliness Minimize bacterial contaminations o Clean cow and udder prior to milking. o Do not let calves nurse the dam. o Collect colostrum in a sanitary manner and test for quality. o Do not pool colostrum. o Quickly cool any colostrum not immediately fed (<60 F in < 60 minutes after collection). o Do not refrigerate (40 F) colostrum for more than 24 hours. o Save good, quality colostrum by freezing in double plastic freezer bags and labeled properly (cow #, disease, date ). *Total Plate Count < 100,000 CFU / ml Total Coliform Count < 10,000 CFU / ml* TechMix Global. Milk Replacer On Day 4 begin feeding milk replacer. o Use of milk replacer can reduce the risk of disease transmission from the cow to the calf that may occur through whole milk feeding. Mix one 10 ounce cup of calf milk replacer with at least 2 quarts of warm (110 F) water. Feed this amount twice daily. o Be sure to sanitize the feeding equipment between feedings with an appropriate sanitizing solution Winter Feeding Recommendations Make sure that newborn calves are dried quickly and thoroughly. Provide housing with no drafts, but good air quality. Bed calves often and heavily with straw, to help keep them dry and well insulated; straw should cover their legs when lying down (see Cow Comfort Lying Score Card). Use calf coats for young calves (up to at least 4-5 weeks of age) in severe weather. Develop protocols to mix and deliver liquid feed at the appropriate level of solids and the correct feeding temperature. This may include use of insulated carriers. Check the temperature of liquid feed regularly. Ideal feeding temperature should be F. Provide warm water for at least 30-minutes after every milk feeding and while calves are still standing.

8 Feed calves according to recommendations, to ensure proper energy balance/immune function is maintained. Feed a quality calf starter beginning at 3-days of age. This aids rumen development, while also helping calves to generate more body heat. Maintaining body temperature during cold, wet winter months requires additional energy. Cold weather increases maintenance energy requirements and decreases energy available for growth and immune function. Calves have limited capability to regulate body temperature, due to o Immature metabolism: Pre-ruminant stage A lack of ruminal fermentation. A lack of appreciable fat stores and energy requirement must be met with diet. Environment influences a calf s ability to cope with cold-related stress: o Wind: Wind chill can alter temperature to be outside of the thermo-neutral zone. o Moisture: Wet or mud-caked hair provides poor insulation. o Sun: Daytime vs. night time temperatures can be very different based on solar energy and add to the potential impact of cold stress. Calves experience cold stress (lower critical temperature) at moderate temperatures. o Newborn calf at 50 F Cattell o Month-old calf at 32 F Milk Replacer Recommended Winter Feedings Average Daily Milk Replacer Powder Quarts / # Feedings / Temperature ( F) Weight (oz or lb) Feeding Day ADG *Based on large-breed calf needs. NRC Additional Milk Replacer Winter Guidelines Average Daily Temperature ( F) Additional Milk Replacer (20% Fat) Needed Birth to 3 wk (lb / d) > 3 wk (lb / d) * Thumb Rule = lb (+1.8 oz) / 10 F temperature drop * Model for 100 lb calf less than 2 mo of age. NRC 2001.

9 Effect of Temperature on Calf Daily Growth using a Milk Replacer (20% CP, 20% CFat) Powder (lb) / Calf / Day F 50 F 40 F 30 F 20 F 10 F 0 F Weight Loss Weight Loss Weight Loss Weight Loss Weight Loss Weight Loss Weight Loss Weight Loss Weight Loss Weight Loss Weight Loss Weight Loss * Gain in lb / day NRC Effect of Temperature on Calf Daily Growth using a Milk Replacer (20% CP, 20% CFat) & 0.25lb of Calf Starter (18%CP) Powder (lb) / Calf / Day 60 F 50 F 40 F 30 F 20 F 10 F 0 F Weight Weight Weight Weight Loss Loss Loss Loss Weight Weight Loss Loss * Gain in lb / day NRC Calculating Solids 1. Conversions a. 1 Pt = 16 fluid oz b. 1 Qt = 32 fluid oz c. 1 Gal = 128 fluid oz d. 1 Gal = L e. 1 L = 1000 ml f. 1 lb = 16 oz g. 1 kg = 1000 g h. 1 kg = 2.2 lb 2. Weights of liquid a. Water: i lb / Gal, ii lb / Qt, iii g / L b. Milk: i. 8.6 lb / Gal ii lb / Qt iii g / L 3. Fluid displacement by powder a. 1 g of powder displaces 1.33 ml of liquid b. 8.3 lb of powder displaces 1 Gal of liquid

10 Solids Calculation: Weight of solids (powder, DM) / (Weight of water + Weight of solids) Example: Find % solids Add 1.25 lb of powder into 1 Gal of water 1.25 / ( ) = * 100 = 13.03% Example: Find new % solids Add 0.5 lb. of powder into 1 gallon of milk that is 11% solids 1 gallon of milk = 8.6 lb and (8.6 * 0.11) = lb solids Pounds of water = = lbs New solids by adding powder to whole milk: ( ) / ( ) = or 15.89% solids Calf Starter Begin feeding a high-quality calf starter free choice in the first week of life. Feed only what the calf may eat in one day. Overfeeding will cause the starter to spoil and consequently reduce starter intake. o Day-old starter can be fed to older calves to limit feed loss. Keep the calf starter fresh for best consumption and average daily gain. The starter will be the primary stimulator of rumen development (particularly when combined with free-choice water). As the rumen develops, calves benefit from ruminal fermentation, which contributes to internal heat production. Hoard s Dairyman

11 Wagner Calf Growth 24 hours to 60 days of age o Double birth weight (calf weight at 60d - calf birth weight) / 60 days = lb ADG days o 2.2 lb ADG (60 d weight) + (60 d x 2.2 lb) = 4 mo of age weight days o 2.0 lb ADG (120 d weight) + (60 d x 2.0 lb) = 6 mo of age weight months o Weight = lb (55% of weight of mature cows) o Hip height > 50 inches o Wither height > 48 inches *Target Growth Rate = * DCHA. Univ MN.

12 Weaning Minimize the number of stresses on the calf at one time. Calves can be weaned from milk replacer when calf starter intake reaches lb for 3 consecutive days. Provide fresh, clean water at all times. Group calves whenever possible o Keep calves in a similar age and weight group. o First grouping should contain 4-6 calves. Assist calves when moving to new pens o Clean and dry pens are important for calves to adjust to new surroundings. o Make access to food and water easy for the calf. Rumen Development Development begins shortly after birth and can be regulated. There are 5 factors required for rumen development. Substrate (feed) Liquid (water and saliva) Rumen bacteria established Tissue absorption (papillae) Rumen by-pass (muscular action) Water Dehydration Characteristics Dehydration (%) Sunken Eyes Skin Pinch Time (sec) Behavior 0 Normal < 2 Alert 4-6 Sometimes 2 Reduced Activity 6-8 Mild 2-4 Mild Depression 8-10 Moderate 6-10 Decreased Suckling Severe Comatose Cattell Give Calves Enough Water Use the following chart to know how much drinking water to give calves.

13 Housing Avoid contact with older animals and their environment (air, water, bedding, feed, pasture) Limit direct contact between calves. Keep the environment draft-free but well ventilated. Provide bedding that is clean, dry and abundant Sanitation o Clean and sanitize pens between uses. o Use all in-all out method. Feeding Space (6 12 mo) 18 inches / head Resting Space (6 12 mo) 45 ft 2 /h or one free stall space o 6 9 mo 30 x 54 inches o 9 12 mo 34 x 60 inches Group Age (mo) Max Animals / Group Max Age Spread Pen Area (ft 2 ) wk 30 Feed bunk Length (in) Individual grain pail or hay rack 18 with dividers mo Water Restraint Facilities Individual pail - Continuously available frost proof water Continuously available frost proof water Stanchion Stanchion, fenceline lockup or separate treatment and restraining area Temperature Humidity Index (6 12 mo) 77 F

14 Wind Chill Temperature < 20 F (6 12 mo) overhead shelter Zimbelman and Collier NWS 2001.

15 Handling Handle calves with ease (stress and injury free). 1. Calf Hutches o Advantages No calf to calf contact All in-all out Good air quality Can move to new ground o Disadvantages Management 2. Confined Housing (facility dependent) o Advantages Management Fresh summer air o Disadvantages Calf to calf contact Poor winter air quality Pathogen build up 3. Group Housing o Advantages Labor savings FC or computer feeding Management o Disadvantages Competition for resources (FC) Direct calf to calf contact Biosecurity Following protocols is key to maintaining biosecurity; protocol drifts can cause issues. Disease is a multifactorial process including calf, environmental and pathogen factors. 1. Compliance 2. Consistency 3. Competency Health Expectations 24h 60 d 2 4 mo 4 6 mo 6 12 mo > 1 yr Mortality < 5% < 2% < 1% < 1% < 0.5% Scours Morbidity < 25% < 2% < 1% < 4% < 2% Respiratory Morbidity < 10% < 15% < 2% < 3% < 1% DCHA.

16 Farm Name: Calf Health Scoring Chart Date: Calf Scores Animal ID (Total respiratory score: 4 watch, 5 or more treat; fecal score: 2 or 3 treat) Age Nasal Temperature discharge Eye or ear (highest number) Cough spontaneous or induced Total respiratory score Fecal consistency

17 Calf Health Scoring Criteria Rectal temperature Cough None Induce single cough Induced repeated coughs or occasional spontaneous cough Nasal discharge Normal serous discharge Small amount of unilateral cloudy discharge Bilateral, cloudy or excessive mucus discharge Repeated spontaneous coughs Copious bilateral mucopurulent discharge Eye scores Normal Small amount of ocular discharge Moderate amount of bilateral discharge Heavy ocular discharge Ear scores Normal Ear flick or head shake Slight unilateral droop Head tilt or bilateral droop Fecal scores Normal Semi-formed, pasty Loose, but stays on top of bedding Watery, sifts through bedding

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19 Disease Common Rare Common Common Common Common Rare Methods of Transmission to Pre-Weaned Calf Lovaas 2012 & Sockett Disease / Pathogen Fecal Fecal / Nasal / In Milk / Oral Navel Saliva Utero E Coli Clostridium Rota & Corona Virus Cryptosporidia Coccidia Johne s Disease Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) Bovine Leukosis Virus (BLV) Mycoplasma Bovis Infectious Mastitis TechMix Global. Persistent cough, 103 F temperature, lethargy, droopy ears, rapid breathing (60 breaths per minute) Pneumonia Symptoms Prevention Treatment Colostrum intake, good nutrition & growth (6-8 Qt of milk), gain 1 lb/h/d, fresh water & feed, vaccinations, clean living space & pens, good air quality Ultrasound determines form, Antibiotics

20 Alpharma 2003.

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22 Blood et al & Hoffman and Plourd Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) Cause of Diarrhea in Calves Disease Age of Onset Causing Agent Prevention Clinical Findings Treatment High mortality rate with hot Usually older Vaccination, temperatures, moderate fever, Virus than 6 mo biosecurity profuse diarrhea, severe dehydration, 7-10 d to death Coccidiosis 3 wk 6 mo Protozoa (Eimeria bovis, E. zuernii) Fecal - Oral Coronavirus d Virus Fecal - Oral Cryptosporidiosis 5 35 d Enterotoxemia 1 10 d Enterotoxigenic colibacillosis (E. coli) 2 7 d Protozoa (Cryptosporidium species) Fecal - Oral Bacterium (Clostridium perfringens Type C) Bacterium (Escherichia coli) Fecal - Oral Rotavirus 5 21 d Virus Fecal - Oral Salmonellosis 7 41 d Bacteria (Salmonella Dublin, S. typhimurium, S. newport) Fecal Oral, Colostrum / Milk or Oral Oral (saliva or nasal discharge) Lasalocid, Decoquinate, Monensin, Amprolium Dry cow or calf vaccine, biosecurity Biosecurity, passive immunity Vaccination, biosecurity, passive immunity Dry cow or calf vaccine, biosecurity, passive immunity Dry cow or calf vaccine, biosecurity, passive immunity Dry cow (shed by cow) or calf vaccine, biosecurity, passive immunity Mild to no fever, normal appetite & thirst, 20% develop nervous symptoms & die High mortality levels with inadequate colostrum Intermittent mild to moderate diarrhea lasting up to 2 wk, 2 nd episode 1 3 wk later Acute diarrhea with abdominal pain & violent bellowing, run around aimlessly Depressed, weak, feverish, diarrhea, progressively dehydrated High mortality levels with inadequate colostrum Diarrhea containing blood clots, abdominal pain Amprolium Fluid & Electrolyte therapy Fluid & Electrolyte therapy Fluid & Electrolyte therapy Neomycin & Oxytetracycline, Fluid & Electrolyte therapy Fluid & Electrolyte therapy Vet-prescribed antibiotics, Fluid & Electrolyte therapy

23 Heifer Mortality Age at first calving (mo) Stillbirths (died within 48 hr) Preweaning mortality (% heifers born alive) Calf deaths by producer-perceived cause (%) Scours / Diarrhea Respiratory Joint / Navel Problems Other Unknown Weaned heifer mortality (% heifer inventory) Heifer deaths by producer-perceived cause (%) Scours / Diarrhea Respiratory Joint / Navel Problems Other Unknown Kertz Management Stats

24 Heifer Early Management Age newborn separate from mother (% of operations) 0 h (before any nursing) < 12 h h > 24 h First colostrum feeding management (% of operations) First Nursing Hand-fed bucket or bottle Esophageal feeder No colostrum Colostrum hand-fed in first 24 h (% of operations) 2 Qt or less > 2 Qt but < 4 Qt > 4 Qt Kertz Kertz Heifer Weaning Weaning age (wk) Operation Average Heifer Average PreWeaned heifer housing (% of operations) Freestall Individual animal area Multiple in animal area Tied Drylot / Pasture Hutch / Super-Hutch Contract rearing (% of operations sending heifers elsewhere) % operations with heifers born on site but raised off site % heifers born on site but raised off site

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