Youngstock

Question 1

Average culling risk

Answer 1

30-35%
Involuntary- biological failures
Voluntary- herd improvement

Question 2

No profit made on heifer until…

Answer 2

Early to mid second lactation

Question 3

Replacement heifer options

Answer 3

Raise own
Contract raised
Sell with option to buy back
Purchase all replacements

Question 4

Keys to calf care

Answer 4

Cleanliness, colostrum, comfort, calories, consistency of care

Question 5

Cows are dried off

Answer 5

45-60 days prior to calving

Question 6

Close up period

Answer 6

3 weeks prior to calving

Question 7

Dry cow nutrition

Answer 7

Protein 12-15% CP
Vit A, D, E, and selenium
Important for colostrum and overall immunity

Question 8

Risks of leaving calf with dam

Answer 8

Salmonella, e. coli, Johne’s, cryptosporidium

Question 9

Most important factor for newborn health

Answer 9

Colostrum

Question 10

Immature cells lining digestive tract at birth

Answer 10

Can absorb macromolecules and bacteria/viruses
Lose ability with time and contact
Best within 4hrs
Poor absorption by 24hrs

Question 11

Colostrum needs

Answer 11

4qts within 8-12hrs of birth

Question 12

Feeding options

Answer 12

Suckle dam- 40% calves will have low IgG
Bottle- best method
Esophageal feeder- if not consuming by 3h
Fresh/frozen- bacterial overgrowth can occur

Question 13

Colostrometer

Answer 13

Measures specific gravity - related to IgG
Depends in temp
Use only first milk of fresh cows

Question 14

Pasteurization

Answer 14

Reduce morbidity, infection, mortality

Changes viscosity and IgG levels

Question 15

How long can colostrum be refrigerated

Answer 15

4-5 days

Question 16

Colostrum bacteria threshold

Answer 16

No more than 100,000 cfu/ml

Question 17

How to freeze

Answer 17

2qt in double ziplock bags, flat in non frost freezer (-5F)

Thawed in warm water bath (<120)

Question 18

Only in fresh colostrum

Answer 18

Active leukocytes

Question 19

IgG goal

Answer 19

1000mg/dl by 48hr

Question 20

Failure of passive transfer

Answer 20

Calf didn’t get enough
Calf didn’t absorb
Poor quality

Question 21

When to test for passive transfer

Answer 21

6hr from feeding

Before 10d

Question 22

Serum tp of calves less than 10days

Answer 22

At birth 4.5
5.5 is adequate.
>7.5 suspect dehydration

Question 23

Neonatal feeding options

Answer 23

Whole milk- perfect, costly
Waste milk- good nutrition, bacT issues, consider pasteurization
Milk replacer - cheaper, feed 1lb powder/gallon water (hot)
Protein:fat 20:20

Question 24

Neonatal calf fed

Answer 24

10% of body weight/day in 2 feedings
Fresh water
Calf starter at 1-2days
1gal 20:20=gain <200g/d - starter ASAP!

Question 25

To fight infection, calves need

Answer 25

Energy for maintenance, growth, temperature control

Question 26

Common finding in sick/dying calves

Answer 26

Complete atrophy of fat

Question 27

Scours associated with

Answer 27

High rates of feeding but more likely sanitary and management practices. Can consume 20% of bw without problems Target 13-15%

Question 28

Diarrhea

Answer 28

``` #1 problem for hutch calves Main cause of death ```

Question 29

Pneumonia

Answer 29

``` Problem for older calves #2 cause of death ```

Question 30

Diarrhea outbreak

Answer 30

More common in first 2-3wks | Don't rely on color/consistency to diagnose

Question 31

Reasons you g calves get sick

Answer 31

High pathogen exposure Inadequate caloric intake Environmental temp stress Not enough cp diet, low selenium, low trace minerals

Question 32

Management/prevention calf diarrhea

Answer 32

``` Improve resistance - colostrum, nutrition Minimize exposure Vaccination 2nd colostrum feeding at 3-5days Standard tx protocols ```

Question 33

Calf starter feeds

Answer 33

High in cereal grains, low in fiber Conducive to forestomach development High vfa production May contain coccidiostats

Question 34

Weaning

Answer 34

When starter grain consumption of 2lb/d for 3+days Reduce milk feeding to once per day for 1-2wks prior Wean 6-9wks Offer high quality hay just prior Keep calves separated for 7-10days after.

Question 35

Birth to weaning housing

Answer 35

Hutches No calf to calf contact At least 3ft between hutches (dz, ventilation)

Question 36

Hutches

Answer 36

Avoid wet, drafts Provide bedding, control humidity, provide shade Face open to south in winter, north in summer

Question 37

Critical temp for calves

Answer 37

Cold 55-45F for birth-30d | Heat 80F

Question 38

Resp dz risk factors

Answer 38

Housing/ventilation/humidity Ammonia, space per heifer FPT, nutrition Specific immunity (IBR, BVD, BRSV)

Question 39

Post weaning fed

Answer 39

Grower grain, small amount of forage | TMR fed when no pasture available

Question 40

Ionophores

Answer 40

Enhance growth and feed efficiency Alter rumen microflora, increase propionate, decrease rumen methane production, inhibit coccidia growth Usually in TMR or grain mix- rumensin, bovatec

Question 41

Nutrient requirement changes with age

Answer 41

Proportion from forage increases | Careful not to over feed energy and underfeed protein

Question 42

Springers housing

Answer 42

Keep heifers separate from cows until dry period after first lactation. CP and energy requirements are higher than cows. Move to close up 30d prior to calving.

Question 43

Prefresh (close up) heifers

Answer 43

Separate from cows 3-4wks prior to calving Decrease forage, increase concentrate and protein Decrease salt and potassium Pay attention to heat stress, hygiene, udder congestion/edema

Question 44

Breeding age and wt

Answer 44

13-15m 750-800lbs 48-50"

Question 45

Calving age and wt

Answer 45

1350lb 54-55" 3-3.5 BCS

Question 46

Average rearing costs

Answer 46

$1.50 per day

Question 47

If heifers too small at first calving

Answer 47

Dystocia, calf death, decreased production | Every# of wt <1250 =6# less milk

Question 48

If heifers older at first lactation

Answer 48

Less milk over lifetime Fewer replacements available Additional investment cost

Question 49

Dystocia

Answer 49

Incidence <8% cows Risk: sire, BCS, calf position, genetics of female Causes: stillbirths, neonatal mortality, colostrum malabsorption, neonatal acidosis chances increase, survivability and production