Podcast Beta
Questions and Answers
What percentage of heifer calves should be alive at weaning age?
What is a common cause of mechanical scours in calves?
Which of the following is NOT a common cause of infectious scours in calves?
What is the primary purpose of housing calves in separate hutches?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the second most common health problem in calves?
Signup and view all the answers
What is necessary to prevent the development of scours in calves?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the recommended temperature of milk for calf feeding?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it recommended to feed a calf several small meals?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the recommended percentage of crude fiber in milk replacer for calf feeding?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary consequence of poor calf health and disease?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the recommended daily ration of colostrum for a calf?
Signup and view all the answers
When should a starter grain be offered to a calf?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary reason for ensuring a cow receives sufficient nutrients during her first lactation phase?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the consequence of underfeeding a cow during her lactation phase?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it important to provide a clean and comfortable environment for the cow during calving?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the recommended size of a calving pen for a single cow?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it essential to ensure calves consume sufficient colostrum?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary source of protective substances for a calf during pregnancy?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Calf Health and Management
- Greater than 95% of heifer calves should be alive at weaning age.
- Two types of health problems associated with newborn calves: scours (diarrhea) and pneumonia.
Scours
- Scours can be of mechanical or infectious origin.
- Mechanical scours caused by overfeeding or poor quality milk replacer, leading to rapid passage of digesta contents and undigested milk in the gut.
- Infectious scours caused by bacterial (E. coli, Salmonella) or viral (rotavirus, coronavirus) agents.
- Controlled by good hygiene at feeding, proper housing, and separating calves to reduce transmission of infectious diseases.
Pneumonia
- Second most common health problem in calves.
- Often caused by feeding cull milk containing mastitis pathogens.
Feeding the Calf
- Milk replacer should contain 18-22% crude protein, 10-20% fat, 5% sugar, and <0.5% crude fiber.
- Starter grain should be offered free choice by 8 days of age, with 18% crude protein.
- Excellent quality legume forage (>16% CP) should be offered.
- Importance of calf feeding:
- 2 feedings of 2-6-8 liters of colostrum.
- Several small meals preferable due to small stomach volume (about 2 liters).
- Temperature of milk should be 38°C.
- Milk must be free of lumps and freshly prepared.
- Milk ration should be reduced slowly over time.
Calf Management
- Differences in calf losses between poorly and well-run farms due to diseases such as diarrhea and respiratory problems.
- Good calf management starts with the cow, including correct feeding and a clean, comfortable environment at calving.
- Importance of feeding the cow:
- Proper nutrition during first lactation phase determines the calf's start in life.
- Inadequate feed can lead to reduced milk yield and detrimental effects on cow's metabolism and subsequent lactation.
- Avoid overfeeding cows in late lactation to maintain optimal body condition for next lactation.
Calving Environment
- Importance of providing cows with a clean and comfortable environment at calving.
- Separate cows from the rest of the herd 2-4 days before calving and provide a special box/pen with sufficient space and comfort.
- Calving pen size: 8-10m² per cow, with a deep straw mattress for comfortable calving.
- Ensure calves consume sufficient colostrum for immunity and protection.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge on calf health problems, including scours and pneumonia, and learn how good housing management and feeding hygiene can control these issues. Ensure the best possible outcomes for your calves with this quiz.
