MoleValley Calf - Mole Valley Farmers

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2 MOLE VALLEY FARMERS | CALF MANAGEMENT GUIDE 2012 Introduction Adam May, Agricultural Commercial Manager 07818 017116 The fi rst few months in a calves’ life will determine whether it will deliver its full genetic potential, or fall some way short, due to poor feed or disease. Over recent years, research has shown how much infl uence a good diet and health plan can have on the lifetime performance of both dairy and beef cattle. Every aspect in the calf rearing process needs to be carefully planned and implemented, from ensuring it gets a good feed of colostrum at birth, through the milk feed period, to the transition to solid feed, not to mention the environment and health planning needed if the best results are to be achieved. In this supplement we have brought together a comprehensive array of articles, submitted by some of the best experts in the fi eld, as well as utilising the expertise we have within the company. We are grateful to Dr Jessica Cooke, Young Animal Technical Specialist and Will Sinclair, <strong>Calf</strong> Specialist, from Volac International, Tim Porter MRCVS from Westpoint Vets and our own Patrick Traill for the support they have given us in the preparation of this publication. We also have articles of housing, health planning, feeding guides, and many others, which are important to the wellbeing of the young calf. The damage which can be done to the young calf’s internal organs is often underestimated and can be irreparable, which results in an underperforming adult animal. We hope you fi nd the contents interesting and informative. If you need any further advice or information, please contact me. Colostrum management tips Colostrum of the right quality and quantity, given to the calf at the right time is the cornerstone of success for any calf rearing enterprise. It supplies both essential nutrients and antibodies. A new-born calf has no protective antibodies to resist disease challenges and these can only be absorbed via colostrum. Poor health, low growth rates and high mortality are most often seen in calves that have received inadequate colostrum. The following information states the 4 golden rules (4 Q’s) when feeding colostrum: 1. Quality Feed calves with good quality colostrum, ideally from mature cows. Colostrum quality varies widely from cow to cow. Colostrum from cows in their fi rst lactation usually contains fewer antibodies to help protect against diseases as these animals have not yet been exposed to a wide range of pathogens. Good quality colostrum may be frozen for future use, when suitable colostrum is not available from the dam. Alternatively, if considering the use of a commercial alternative (for example Volac Volostrum), ensure that the product has been independently tested and is proven to be successful. It is diffi cult to visually detect if colostrum contains suffi cient antibodies. It is therefore recommended that colostrum quality is tested using a colostrometer, which is a simple apparatus that can be used on farm to give an indication of the quality. 2. Quantity Feed a minimum of 3 litres (6 pints) in the fi rst six hours, split into two feeds if necessary. A further 3 litres should be fed within 12 hours. A calf receiving at least 3 litres of good quality colostrum in the fi rst six hours of life will have received suffi cient antibodies. Remember, a calf requires approximately 20 minutes of continuous suckling to consume 3 litres of milk from the cow. MVF Farmer Shareholder Scheme If you see this symbol, it means the product qualifes for MVF Farmer Shareholder benefits. To find out more about an MVF Farmer Shareholder account call our Membership Team on 01769 573431. 3. Quickly Feed colostrum as soon as possible after birth and at latest within the fi rst six hours. At birth, the calf gut is permeable, which means that it can absorb the large antibody molecules directly into its bloodstream. Over the fi rst 24 hours the gut rapidly ‘closes’ and these molecules can no longer be absorbed. For good immunity, low mortality and future health, it is essential that the calf absorbs suffi cient antibodies as soon as possible after birth before the gut ‘closes’. Feeding colostrum for at least the fi rst three days of life has been shown to have other benefi ts as it encourages rapid gut development and lays a solid foundation for fast effi cient healthy growth. 4. Quietly Research has proven that calves that are stressed when receiving colostrum will not absorb the protective antibodies as effi ciently as those that are calm. This means that a stressed calf would require more colostrum in order to achieve the same level of immunity as a calf which was not stressed.
New born calves - meeting their nutrient requirements Article by Dr Jessica Cooke, Young Animal Technical Specialist, Volac International After colostrum, the next critical feed for the new-born calf is milk, writes Volac’s Dr Jessica Cooke. New born calves, like infants, have a requirement for milk in their diet until such time as their digestive system matures and they can digest more complex feeds. Whilst the digestive system of the calf develops relatively quickly, the abomasum (fourth stomach), still plays the most signifi cant role in digestion for at least the fi rst three weeks of life. During this period, milk bypasses the largely non-functioning rumen and goes straight into the abomasum where acids and enzymes are secreted to aid digestion. See Fig 1. Whatever is fed, the physiology of the calf dictates that, for the fi rst three weeks of life, it is almost entirely dependent on the liquid milk feed to supply the nutrients it needs to support health and growth. Supplying energy Young calves require energy for normal body functions such as digestion, respiration and heat production as well as for growth, and the energy available to the calf is directly proportionate to the supply of milk or milk replacer during the fi rst three weeks. So, which source of energy is best? Although milk replacers only contain 14% to 20% fat, compared Fig 1: Development of the four compartments of the calf’s stomach area 2012 CALF MANAGEMENT GUIDE | MOLE VALLEY FARMERS <strong>Calf</strong> nutrition with whole milk at 30% to 32% fat, the lactose content in milk also provides energy. In total, the proportion of energy supplied by the fat and lactose is similar for whole milk, skim or whey based milk replacers - over 72%, so all can provide valuable energy to the calf. See Fig 2. Fig 2: Relative proportion of energy supplied by different components in milk or milk replacer. By supplying more lactose and less fat compared with whole milk, calf milk replacers typically stimulate earlier intake of solid feed which encourages earlier rumen development. Feeding whey based milk replacers, which do not form a clot in the abomasum, can increase early solid feed intake in comparison with high quality skim based milks. The fat in whole milk is highly digestible, and well formulated milk replacers contain a blend of fat sources which are designed to be well digested by the calf and provide energy and nutrients to help maintain good health and growth. The processing of the fats in milk replacers for example by homogenisation, also has a very signifi cant impact on the energy delivered to the calf. There are occasions when the calf’s energy requirements are higher, for example when targeting higher growth rates, or in periods of cold weather when the calf needs more energy to maintain growth. Energy intake can be improved in various ways but, as shown in Table 1, increasing the oil content of the milk replacer from 16% to 20% has a negligible effect compared with simply feeding more of the same. continued on page 4 3
Page 1: 2012 CALF MANAGEMENT GUIDE | MOLE V
Page 5 and 6: 2012 CALF MANAGEMENT GUIDE | MOLE V
Page 7 and 8: Calving and looking after young cal
Page 9 and 10: Milk replacers from Mole Valley Far
Page 11 and 12: Dry feed management Background Nume
Page 13 and 14: Hygiene is vital for healthy livest
Page 15 and 16: Coccidiosis in calves Coccidiosis h

MoleValley Calf - Mole Valley Farmers

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