Success Starts at Birth

By: Dr. Kip Lukasiewicz, DVM, PAC Dr. Randall Spare, DVM, PAC Stuart Callahan, DVM Candidate, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

Morbidity, mortality, and lost performance are common challenges in the beef industry. The feedlot manager often wonders, “What can I do to prepare my set of homeraised calves to succeed in the feeding period as well as reach maximum genetic potential?”

Meanwhile, the rancher retaining ownership through the feeding period says, “I did all of the preweaning vaccination prescribed and my calves had too much sickness and death loss while feeding.”

In reality, the overall health and performance of cattle and the quality of the final product are the result of many critical control points throughout the beef production cycle, from conception to consumption. Working together, ranchers, stockers, feedlots, and packers can create change and achieve optimal efficiency and profitability.

Preparing cattle for feeding begins with the cow’s yearly production cycle. Optimal management of breeding, gestation, calving, and preconditioning will position each animal to succeed in reaching its genetic potential. From the time of conception, it often takes 14 to 24 months to enjoy the results of the genetic choices made in each beef cattle operation. Because most animals will ultimately be fed out and harvested to produce a great eating experience for the consumer, every cow-calf operator has a vested interest in seeing that the animals produced on their ranch flourish whether retained or sold as a feeder animal.

Calving

The first major event that determines whether a calf will reach its genetic potential is birth and the perinatal period. In contrast to the dairy industry, most beef calves are born unattended in a pasture. Therefore, the vigor of the calf and its ability to get up and nurse in the first hours of life are critical not only for survival but also for withstanding the challenges of disease, weaning, feeding, and the elements of nature.

A live, vigorous calf depends primarily on calving ease and colostral immunity. When the calf is too large for the birth canal of its dam, dystocia (calving difficulty) occurs. Even the smallest amount of dystocia will cause a cascade of events that create the potential for poor health or death of the calf. Several factors predict calf size. Most importantly, calf birth weight is a highly heritable trait. By using EPDs (Expected Progeny Differences) from each breed association, a producer can choose sires that will produce a very predictable and appropriate calf size for each group of heifers or cows. Instead of using trial and error to determine which sire will give the correct size for each cow herd, the rancher can choose a sire that is in the top percentile for calving ease and still meets the growth potential needs for the operation. Most breeds have bulls that will produce small calves at birth that still have the genetic potential for growth. With current accurate genetic predictions, it is important to use these tools to start the calf toward a productive life.

In the hours immediately following birth, it is critical that the calf receives adequate, high-quality colostrum. As stated by Kincheloe and Waters, “Colostrum contains over ninety compounds that fight against pathogens and establish immune response (immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase); provide nutrients (lactose, lipids, protein); and stimulate growth and generation of nerves, cartilage, bone, and muscle (essential fatty acids, minerals). Compared to mature bovine milk, colostrum contains higher total solids (27.6% vs. 12.3%), higher protein (14.9% vs. 2.8%), and slightly higher fat (6.7% vs. 4.4%) (Christiansen, 2010).” Colostrum is literally the lifeline of a calf that helps determine that individual’s future growth and performance. Feeding energy-deficient diets to cows and heifers, dystocia, heat stress, and lack of mothering ability (licking or cleaning the calf) can negatively impact the cow’s production and quality of colostrum and the calf’s intake and absorption of colostrum.

Colostrum has to be taken in within 24 hours after birth to be effective. The calf can absorb up to 66 percent of colostrum consumed in the first 4 hours after birth. This absorption rate drastically declines to about 33 percent after 6 hours of life. After 12 hours, the calf is not able to absorb adequate antibodies from colostrum. Calves that do not absorb adequate colostrum experience Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT), and they “are 3 times more likely to get sick and 5 times more likely to die later in life as compared to calves that receive adequate colostrum” (Boyles and Shulaw). Calves should suckle within the first 2 hours of birth and consume 5 to 6 percent of their body weight in colostrum in the first 6 hours and again 12 hours after birth. For example, a 90 lb. calf should consume about 2.5 quarts of colostrum at each feeding.

Typically, a newborn calf will raise its head within 3 minutes, reach sternal recumbency within 5 minutes, attempt to stand within 20 minutes, and stand spontaneously within 60 to 90 minutes of birth. Weak calves that fail to achieve these milestones require colostrum supplementation. Addi-

Fast Facts: Colostrum

● 66% absorption of colostrum in the first 4 hours of life

● 33% absorption of colostrum between 4 and 6 hours of life

● 5-6% of body weight - amount of colostrum calf should consume in first 6 hours of life and again 12 hours after birth tionally, calves should receive colostrum supplementation if the udder of the cow or heifer is under-developed, has uneven quarters, or has inadequate teat size; if the calf requires assistance during birth; if the calf has a swollen face or tongue; or if the calf is recumbent or acidotic. Animals that require assistance during calving are slower to get up and tend to have weaker suckling reflexes, and calves with swollen faces and tongues cannot effectively suckle. In addition to supplemental colostrum, acidotic calves may require sodium bicarbonate to reach a normal homeostasis. Producers should work with their veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

● Calves that do not receive adequate colostrum are 3 times more likely to get sick and 5 times more likely to die than calves that do receive adequate colostrum.

The ideal colostrum source is milk from the dam of the calf. Alternative sources include colostrum from another cow in the herd, frozen colostrum, and commercial colostrum products. A clean, disinfected bottle or tube (esophageal) feeder should be used to administer colostrum since the calf lacks a competent immune system to fight off the pathogen load of contaminated oral equipment.

Fast Facts: Newborn Calf Movement

● 3 minutes - time it takes a newborn calf to raise its head

● 5 minutes - time it takes a newborn calf to reach sternal recumbency

● 20 minutes - time it takes a newborn calf to attempt to stand

● 60-90 minutes - time it takes a newborn calf to stand spontaneously

Herd Condition

It is important to have heifers and cows in ideal body condition at the time of calving to ensure optimal calf health and colostrum quality. The body condition score (BCS) of beef cows is graded on a scale of 1 to 9, where 1 is very thin, 9 is very obese, and 5 is the ideal body condition. Mature cows should be at a BCS of 5-6 at the time of calving while first-calf heifers should be at a BCS of 6-7 at calving.

Producers must be mindful of the physiology and the energy needs of the cow or heifer during the production cycle. In the last three months of pregnancy, the cow’s energy requirements increase while rumen capacity is diminished as seventy percent of fetal growth takes place in this period. Therefore, the cow should be given supplement or a higher quality feed stuff to meet her nutritional needs.

The next energy drain on the heifer or cow occurs in the first 45 to 50 days post calving. Energy is required to shrink and heal the reproductive tract, to sustain lactation, and to help with maintenance of the mother. Additionally, heifers require energy to sustain growth.

Fast Facts: Optimal BCS Levels

● BCS 5-6 - optimal BCS of cow at calving

● BCS 6-7 - optimal BCS of first-calf heifer at calving

Caregivers must also understand the time and resources needed to change an animal’s condition. To increase BCS by one point, the animal must gain approximately 60 pounds of body weight. Therefore, a cow will need to gain 60 to 120 pounds to move from a BCS 4 to a BCS 5-6. This gain can take 1 to 3 months to achieve.

Producers should measure BCS of cows and heifers at the time of pregnancy check or weaning and again at calving. The period between weaning and calving is the most economical time to improve the condition of thin cows to achieve optimal condition by calving season. Separating cows and feeding according to BCS is an economic way to put weight on thin cows without overfeeding ideal or overweight cows. Producers should continue to monitor BCS from the time of calving to breeding to maximize the chance of successful breeding.

Inadequate nutrition and poor feed quality negatively impact colostrum production and calf health. Colorado State University research demonstrated that “restricting protein during gestation to 55 percent of the NRC requirement resulted in lower colostrum production, lower heat production in the newborn calf and a longer interval from the time of birth to when the calves first stood. Other research at the University of Idaho has related restricted protein intake to an increase in weak calf syndrome in newborn calves” (Boggs). Additionally, calves born to thin cows (BCS of 4 or less) will have reduced weaning weights as a result of decreased milk production. Calves must acquire immunity from IgG antibodies in colostrum from the cow. Thin cows have inadequate IgG levels in the colostrum and calves may be at increased risk of illness and decreased survivability to weaning.

Preparation for Weaning

The first day of weaning is the day the calf is born. While calves may need to be tagged, weighed, or castrated with a band or knife, none of these activities should occur until the calf is dried off and has taken in its full allotment of colostrum. The health of the calf, the success of the mother, and the strength of the dam relationship all hinge on the bond made in the first 24 hours of life.

Rather than intervene with a calf during this period, producers can devote time and energy to ensure calving cows have a clean and comfortable environment with protection from the wind, whether on grass, in a bedded dry lot, or in a bedded calving stall or barn. At the same time, they can monitor the animals and intervene if necessary to help a weak calf or a mother in poor condition. Then, after 24 hours, the calf can be tagged, castrated, weighed, vaccinated, and given vitamin supplements following the recommendations of the herd veterinarian.

When handling the calf, producers must understand that they are creating separation between the cow and calf. How this separation is created will impact the cow’s demeanor and the calf’s attitude during future handling events. The caregiver must always address the cow first and ensure that she knows he is there and is going to work with her calf. After addressing the cow, the handler then evaluates the situation and works to create a gap between the cow and calf. This allows the calf to catch the handler rather than the handler running down the calf. Handlers may need to jog or walk quickly to catch a calf but should never have to sprint (unless being chased by the mother). The caregiver can utilize tools such as the winch attached to a UTV shown in the pictures below to catch the calf and elevate it in sternal recumbency to his level. This places the handler in a safe, non-predatory posture to successfully work with the calf.

If pairing to a new pasture, consider using the Sandhills Calving System. In this system, wet cows and calves stay in the environment where they calved while the heavy or dry cows are moved to the next pasture. This helps reduce contamination of the grounds and lessens stress on the mother and newborn calf because they get to stay at the same address where they calved. If this is not possible and the cowcalf pair must be moved, producers should work primarily with the calf rather than the cow when pairing. While the handler must interact with both animals, calves are more sensitive to motion than their mothers and focusing more attention on the calf creates an opportunity to teach that young animal about motion.

In each of these interactions, the cow and calf (prey animals) perceive the human as a predator. Handlers must be approachable and understanding of the prey animals’ behavior instead of forcing action or being gruff. If a cow is uncooperative at any time, the handler should leave her alone (and live to tell about it). It is not vital that the calf is tagged that very minute or that day or even that month. There will be a safer time to approach and intervene in the future.

Conclusion

At each phase of production, caregivers are responsible for preparing the calf for the next stage of life, whether that next stage is pasture, backgrounding, the feedlot, or the plate. For the cow-calf producer, this preparation includes choosing appropriate genetics to achieve growth potential and proper calf size for calving ease, ensuring the calf receives adequate colostrum within 6 hours of birth and again 12 hours after birth, providing proper feed and supplementation to meet the nutritional needs and maintain optimal body condition of the herd, and creating positive interactions with both cows and calves when handling is necessary.

Resources

Boggs D. Management of first-calf heifers. Extension Beef Cattle Resource Committee Beef Cattle Handbook BCH-2110. Accessed December 18, 2018, from http:// www.iowabeefcenter.org/bch/FirstCalfHeiferMgt.pdf.

Boyles S, Shulaw B. Beef calves and colostrum. Ohio State University Extension Beef Team Ohio Beef Cattle Letter, March 12, 2008. Accessed December 18, 2018, from https://u.osu.edu/beef/2008/03/12/beef-calves-and-colostrum/.

Daly R, Walker J. Can you “make” a cow deliver better colostrum? South Dakota State University Extension iGrow, January 27, 2016. Accessed December 18, 2018, from http://igrow.org/livestock/beef/can-you-make-a-cow-deliver-better-colostrum/.

Kincheloe J, Waters K. The “colostrum” conversation. South Dakota State University Extension iGrow, January 20, 2013. Accessed December 18, 2018, from http://igrow. org/livestock/beef/the-colostrum-conversation/.

Lorenz I, Mee JF, Earley B, More SJ. Calf health from birth to weaning. I. General aspects of disease prevention. Irish Veterinary Journal 2011, 64:10.

Olson K. Beef cow nutrition during calving and early lactation. South Dakota State University Extension iGrow, April 5, 2012. Accessed December 18, 2018, from http:// igrow.org/livestock/beef/beef-cow-nutrition-during-calving-and-early-lactation/.

Rasby R. Body condition scoring your beef cow herd. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Beef. Accessed December 18, 2018, from https://beef.unl.edu/learning/condition1a. shtml.

Voth K. Cow nutrition requirements: Calving to breeding. On Pasture, January 1, 2018. Accessed December 18, 2018, from https://onpasture.com/2018/01/01/cow-nutrition-requirements-calving-to-breeding/.