Livestock Nutrition and Feeding Methods

Questions and Answers

What are the commonly used individual and group housing options for young calves?

Purpose-built portal frames, purpose-built mono pitches, individual or paired hutches, group hutches or igloos, general purpose buildings, lightweight structures (such as a polytunnel), and low-cost/temporary calf structures (such as utilising old buildings or covered bale pens).

What are the pros and cons of individual housing of calves?

Pros: Improved calf health. Cons: Higher labor input, space requirements, and costs.

Why is individual housing of calves associated with improved calf health?

To ensure that they receive adequate colostrum, calves are individually penned for the first few days after birth.

Why is group housing of calves encouraged for welfare reasons?

Group housing is encouraged for welfare reasons to allow for reduced labor input and space requirements, therefore reduced costs. Signup and view all the answers

Why are isolation pens important in calf housing?

Isolation pens are important to reduce the spread of disease/infection and to allow for efficient treatment of a sick calf. Signup and view all the answers

Under what condition can calves greater than 8 weeks old be kept in individual pens?

Calves greater than 8 weeks old can only be kept in individual pens if a vet certifies that its health or behavior requires it to be isolated in order to receive treatment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of individually penning calves for the first few days after birth?

To ensure that they receive adequate colostrum. Signup and view all the answers

At what age are calves usually group penned?

From seven days of age, calves are usually group penned. Signup and view all the answers

What are the ideal weight gains for dairy cattle?

0.8-0.9kg a day Signup and view all the answers

What is the main type of immunoglobulin found in colostrum?

IgG Signup and view all the answers

What are the components of the innate immune system in the upper respiratory tract of calves?

Hair in nasal cavity, ciliated epithelial cells, goblet cells, pattern recognition receptors, and antimicrobial peptides Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue in the development of immunity to respiratory tract infections?

Initiates immune responses to antigens and pathogens on mucosal surfaces, stops progression of microbes further into the body, and transports antigens across the epithelium to be taken up by antigen-presenting cells. Signup and view all the answers

How does stress affect the immune response in animals?

Short-term stress can have immuno-enhancing effects, while long-term stress suppresses the immune response. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended vaccination for the prevention of calf pneumonia?

Calf pneumonia Signup and view all the answers

What are the ideal weight gains for beef cattle?

1.0-1.4kg a day Signup and view all the answers

What is the specific role of the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue in protecting the respiratory tract?

Protecting the nasopharynx and upper respiratory system Signup and view all the answers

What are the key points to measure/compare when assessing the adequacy of ventilation in a housing system?

Humidity, temperature, air speed, dust, and dangerous/infectious gases. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the stack effect and its effect on ventilation in a barn.

The stack effect is the movement of air caused by thermal differences, creating a current of air where colder (denser) air enters at the bottom and warmer (less dense) air rises and escapes. This creates a negative pressure within the building, drawing in cold air at the bottom. Signup and view all the answers

What strategies could be used to improve ventilation in a barn?

Focus on mixing fresh air with current air, design new buildings to catch wind during the summer and block exposure during the winter, and consider fan-assisted ventilation if natural ventilation alone is not sufficient. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the clinical utility of a bovine respiratory disease scoring system.

A bovine respiratory disease scoring system assists in the early identification of affected animals during outbreaks, helping practitioners make decisions about individual or group level treatment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Herd Health Plan and what aspects should be included in it?

A Herd Health Plan is a way of organizing disease prevention strategies and monitoring animal health and productivity. It should include treatments, potential risks, and disease prevention strategies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of vaccination in controlling lungworm infections in herds or flocks?

Vaccination or anthelmintics are used for controlling lungworm infections in herds or flocks. Signup and view all the answers

What is the protocol for administering oral vaccines for D. viviparus?

Two doses of irradiated infective larvae are administered 4 weeks apart, with the second dose given at least 2 weeks before the start of grazing or exposure to probable infection. Signup and view all the answers

How do pathological changes disturb gas exchange in lungworm infections?

Edema and neutrophils fill alveoli and bronchioles, air cannot enter affected alveoli, diffusion distance of air is increased, and surface area of alveoli is decreased. Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the challenges that vets may face when developing a farm veterinary advisory role?

Some challenges include evolving farmers' needs, lack of protection for the advisory role, availability of various sources of animal health advice, and readily available purchase of pharmaceuticals. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Veterinary Surgeons Act state about the advisory role of the production vet?

The Veterinary Surgeons Act does not include a specific description of the advisory roles of a production vet, causing a lack of confidence in giving instruction to a farmer. Signup and view all the answers

How can client confidentiality be breached unintentionally?

Client confidentiality can be breached unintentionally through discussing a client's case with unauthorized individuals or disclosing client information in a public setting. Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of readily available purchase of pharmaceuticals on the advisory role of a vet?

Readily available purchase of pharmaceuticals may lead to farmers prioritizing accessibility and affordability over animal health, which can be problematic for the advisory role of a vet. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the role of communication skills in overcoming challenges faced by farm animal vets.

Communication skills are key in building a relationship with the farmer, establishing effective collaboration, and achieving common goals more efficiently. Signup and view all the answers

What are the upper and lower critical temperatures for calves?

Upper critical temp: 25-26 °C Lower critical temp: 10-15°C (0-3 weeks), 6-10°C (>3 weeks) Signup and view all the answers

What are the strategies that can be used to reduce stocking density for calves in an indoor barn?

Avoid increasing humidity, use easily cleaned materials, clean and disinfect equipment, apply veterinary approved vaccination protocols Signup and view all the answers

What are the considerations for sustainable cattle production?

Considerations include environmental destruction, water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable ruminant production. Signup and view all the answers

Why is there a need to move towards sustainable ruminant production?

Ruminants convert renewable resources into edible food, utilize nutrients in by-products, and satisfy food safety and security while protecting the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What are the requirements of the new-born calf in terms of feeding, housing, and hygiene?

Feeding: receives colostrum within 6 hours of birth, Housing: removed from mother to join other calves in rearing pens within 48 hours, Hygiene: regularly clean feeding and housing equipment Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the nutritional requirements of calves up to weaning age.

Nutritional requirements include receiving colostrum, milk feeding, access to clean water, starter concentrate pellets, and grain feeds for rumen development. Signup and view all the answers

What are the differences between milk replacers and whole milk in milk replacement feeding systems?

Milk replacers have less fat and more lactose, offer consistency in composition, convenience, and reduce disease transmission. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the reasons for grouping calves into large groups at younger ages with automated feeding.

Grouping calves into large groups at younger ages with automated feeding can increase weight gains, intake of solid feed, and aid in the behavioural and social development of calves. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Calf Housing Options

Common individual housing options for young calves include individual pens or hutches, and group housing options include group pens or corrals.
Individual housing is associated with improved calf health due to reduced exposure to pathogens and easier monitoring and management.

Individual Housing of Calves

Pros: improved calf health, easier monitoring and management, and better biosecurity.
Cons: higher costs, potential for social isolation, and increased labor requirements.

Group Housing of Calves

Encouraged for welfare reasons as it allows for social interaction and development.
Important to consider factors like group size, age, and sex to minimize stress and disease transmission.

Isolation Pens

Important in calf housing to isolate sick or newly arrived calves and prevent disease transmission.
Allow for easier monitoring and treatment of sick calves.

Individual Pens for Calves

Calves greater than 8 weeks old can be kept in individual pens if they have a history of health problems or require special care.
Individually penning calves for the first few days after birth helps to prevent disease transmission and allows for easier monitoring and management.

Calf Development

Calves are usually group penned at around 2-3 weeks of age.
Ideal weight gains for dairy cattle are 0.7-1.0 kg/day and for beef cattle are 1.0-1.5 kg/day.

Immune System

The main type of immunoglobulin found in colostrum is IgG.
Components of the innate immune system in the upper respiratory tract of calves include mucociliary clearance, antimicrobial peptides, and neutrophils.
Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) plays a key role in the development of immunity to respiratory tract infections.

Stress and Immune Response

Stress can affect the immune response in animals by suppressing immune function and increasing susceptibility to disease.

Vaccination

Recommended vaccination for the prevention of calf pneumonia is typically a bacterin-toxoid vaccine.

Respiratory Health

Nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) plays a specific role in protecting the respiratory tract by providing a first line of defense against pathogens.
Key points to measure/compare when assessing the adequacy of ventilation in a housing system include air quality, temperature, and humidity.

Ventilation

The stack effect can affect ventilation in a barn by creating a pressure gradient that drives airflow.
Strategies to improve ventilation in a barn include increasing airflow, using ventilation fans, and designing buildings with ventilation in mind.

Health Management

A bovine respiratory disease scoring system is a useful tool for assessing the severity of respiratory disease and guiding treatment decisions.
A Herd Health Plan should include aspects such as vaccination, parasite control, and nutrition.

Parasite Control

Vaccination plays a key role in controlling lungworm infections in herds or flocks.
The protocol for administering oral vaccines for D.viviparus involves administering a vaccine at 2-4 weeks of age and again at 4-6 weeks of age.

Lungworm Infections

Pathological changes in lungworm infections can disturb gas exchange in the lungs by damaging alveolar tissue and reducing lung function.

Veterinary Advisory Role

Challenges faced by farm animal vets include developing a farm veterinary advisory role, maintaining client confidentiality, and dealing with the impact of readily available purchase of pharmaceuticals.
The Veterinary Surgeons Act states that vets have an advisory role in production medicine.
Communication skills are essential for overcoming challenges faced by farm animal vets.

Environmental Management

The upper and lower critical temperatures for calves are -10°C and 10°C, respectively.
Strategies to reduce stocking density for calves in an indoor barn include using larger pens, increasing ventilation, and improving feeding and watering systems.

Sustainable Cattle Production

Considerations for sustainable cattle production include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving animal welfare, and promoting environmental stewardship.
There is a need to move towards sustainable ruminant production due to environmental concerns and the need to ensure long-term food security.

Nutritional Requirements

New-born calves require colostrum for nutrition and immune function, and then milk or milk replacers for growth and development.
Nutritional requirements of calves up to weaning age include high-quality protein, energy, and minerals.

Feeding Systems

Differences between milk replacers and whole milk in milk replacement feeding systems include nutritional content, cost, and convenience.
Grouping calves into large groups at younger ages with automated feeding can improve growth and reduce labor requirements.

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