Calving is well underway for the autumn calving herds, meaning that calf health must be prioritised, as it will ensure a good start to life for calves and make life a lot easier for the farmer.
Calves need to thrive from the start of life in order to get them on track to reach their weight targets, and this all comes down to the quality of management of calves, particularly during the first six weeks of life.
The last couple of weeks have been very mild, which can be a concern for farmers with young calves, as the risk of pneumonia increases in mild conditions.
However, the last couple of days have been slightly colder, which should aid in keeping any respiratory diseases at a minimum.
There are several key factors to consider to ensure optimum calf health this autumn and coming into the winter months.
Calf health
Disease control is highly influenced by the housing facilities and the stocking rate of calves in pens, as all houses and pens should have good ventilation, be draught free, warm, dry and clean.
Clean dry bedding is crucial for calf health, as calves should have enough straw for nesting. Put one knee down into the straw, and if your knee is wet, then the bedding is not satisfactory.
Sufficient space in pens is also very important, as each calf should be given an allowance of 1.5m2/calf and grouping calves should be done in accordance to age and size for easy management and assessment of progress.
Biosecurity is crucial and is particularly important when it comes to young calves who are more susceptible to picking up disease.
Diseases can spread from farm to farm quite easily through people, footwear and equipment, and so measures such as disinfection and foot dips should be put down for visitors to the farm.
Nutrition
Colostrum management is the most important aspect of calf health, as it is essential to transfer the antibodies from cow to calf.
The colostrum 1,2,3 rule should be used and is as follows:
- Use colostrum from the first milking for the first feed;
- Feed colostrum within the first two hours of birth;
- Feed at least 3L.
Transition milk is the following milk from milking two to eight. It contains high levels of antibodies and should be continued to be fed to calves.
Feed efficiency is the ability of animal to convert feed to growth and is at its highest when calves are drinking milk in the first few weeks of life.
Calves should be getting at least 6L of milk replacer/day, mixed at concentration of 125g/L and the water should be at 37 to 39° at mixing.
A milk replacer should have the following;
- A minimum of 23% protein;
- Less than 7.5% ash;
- A minimum of 0.8% calcium.
Water is essential for rumen development in young calves and helps with daily weight gain and so a fresh supply of water should always be available.
Chopped straw or hay along with an 18% palatable calf crunch should be made available to calves to help with growth rates and to stimulate rumen development.
Farmers should be mindful of bloat occurring with their claves, as it results from the excess fermentation of milk replacer or whole milk in the stomach and is caused by inconsistent feeding, poor hygiene and low water intake.
A vaccination plan should be put in place for your calves, as it will help reduce health problems and a drop in calf performance.
