Lecture 10

Question 1

What are the advantages of calving at 24 months

Answer 1

Increased lifetime milk production
Decreased peripartum health problems
Decreased cost of raising the heifer

Question 2

5 C’s of dairy calf raising

Answer 2

Colostrum
Cleanliness
Comfort
Calories
Consistency

Question 3

When does most mortality occur in dairy calves

Answer 3

First two weeks of life

Question 4

Primary concerns for newborn calves

Answer 4

Colostrum

Navel healthy

Question 5

Two main determinants of success of colostrum program

Answer 5

Time

Mass of Ig fed

Question 6

When should you give colostrum

Answer 6

ASAP after birth

Question 7

How much colostrum must a calf receive

Answer 7

5-6 L of good quality colostrum or 4 L of excellent quality colostrum

Overall, calf needs at least 280 g of colostrum and excellent quality colostrum contains 70g/L while good quality colostrum contains 50g/L

Question 8

How to measure Ig

Answer 8

Colostrometer

Refractometer

Question 9

Practical goal for colostrum

Answer 9

4 L in 1st feeding within 2 hours after birth
OR
2-3L asap after birth and second 2-3 L within 4-6 hours after first feeding

Question 10

Why no suckling of dam for colostrum

Answer 10

Can’t guarantee good enough volume or quality of colostrum

Also disease control esp Johne’s disease

Question 11

What is the most widely used method of measuring how much colostrum calf has ingested

Answer 11

TP

Total protein goal of at least 5.5 g/dl at 2-8 days of age

Question 12

Describe naval disinfection

Answer 12

Helps reduce the threat of navel infection and subsequent septicemia
Saturate navel within 2 hours after birth or earlier with chlorohex or iodine
Repeat when calf is put in its pen and again 12-18 hours later

Question 13

What else should be done to calves before 48 hours old

Answer 13

Identified with ID system (ear tag)
Removed from dam
Placed in preweaning calf house (individual housing is ideal)

Question 14

Describe calf hutch housing

Answer 14

Needs to be managed so calf is not living in dirty, wet environment
Should be placed in long rows
Should be two hutches apart
Hutches need to be moved when turf is soiled

Question 15

Describe calf barn

Answer 15

Individual pens in a barn
Use every other pen if possible or use design that prevents direct contact
Clean pens and floors infrequently to reduce aerosolization of pathogens

Question 16

Describe hybrid

Answer 16

Hutches under a roof

Individual housing with protection from weather

Question 17

Group housing

Answer 17

Often combined with automated feeding systems that offer large amounts of milks- can be ad lib or mechanized
Need to be doing a great job with individual housing before moving to group housing

Question 18

How much should you feed calves

Answer 18

Feed 2-2.5 or 2.4-3 L twice daily

*need to feed more in cold weather

Question 19

When should high quality grain (calf starter) be offered

Answer 19

2-3 days old

Start eating a lot between 21-28 days

Question 20

How often should calves be observed for disease

Answer 20

2x a day

Question 21

Preweaning procedures

Answer 21

Bleed at 2-8 days to determine colostral intake

Disbudding- paste at 1 day of life or hot iron cautery at 4 weeks

Question 22

How much should the calf be growing during preweaning

Answer 22

1.8 pounds per day

Question 23

Describe weaning

Answer 23

4-8 wks of age

Stressful transition- so don’t do other periods during weaning or right before/after

Question 24

What is better- gradual or abrupt weaning

Answer 24

Gradual

Question 25

Describe post weaning

Answer 25

Regroup calves to group housing 1-3 weeks post weaning