BOTTOM LINE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019 SECTION E
Sharing ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed.
Two calf heads better than one
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hen raising calves studies have shown that two – or more – heads are better than one in several ways. Housing milk-fed calves with at least one social partner can be a win-winwin in terms JENNIFER of animal welfare, VAN OS calf-growth performance and consumer perception. In the United States and Canada the majority of calves are housed singly before weaning. Individual rearing became standard practice in the 1960s, in part based on University of Wisconsin research. Isolation was seen to decrease the risk of calf-to-calf disease transmission, reducing morbidity and mortality rates. Without computerized monitoring, single housing also allowed for ease of tracking feed intake and signs of illness. But we now know other factors often contribute to the poor health and performance sometimes seen in group-housed calves. Reduced milk allowances that were once the norm resulted in less nutrient intake, reducing immune function. Insufficient ven-
tilation in older facilities meant subpar air quality, increasing the risk of pathogen exposure. The principles for promoting good health outcomes are similar whether managing individuals, pairs or groups. The risk of respiratory disease and morbidity is reduced in several ways. Feed sufficient excellent-quality colostrum to promote passive transfer of immunity. Feed sufficient milk or milk replacer for an excellent plane of nutrition. Ensure ventilation for good air quality. Allow sufficient space. Provide clean and dry bedding. Ensure biosecurity and sanitation practices. Limit age differences within groups. Utilize all-in-all-out practices. Research at UW-Madison on primates found developmental impairments when normally social species were reared in isolation. During the past several years many research groups worldwide applied those concepts to study the development of calves reared either conventionally or socially. The consensus is now that pairs and small groups provide
milk production at maturity. All those outcomes are better for the dairy operation. It’s good for consumer acceptance – this past summer Rielle Perttu, Beth Ventura and Marcia Endres from the University of Minnesota surveyed more than 1,300 adult fairgoers at the Minnesota State Fair. Almost all those fairgoers consumed dairy products – but less than a fourth had family in the dairy industry. Those surveyed were shown photos of Holstein calves in single, pair or small-group pens in a calf UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN barn. Almost half the participants disagreed with One way of socially housing calves is with adjacent hutches sharing a fenced area, as with a individual housing. Only pair in an ongoing research study at University of Wisconsin-Blaine Dairy. a third thought it was an acceptable system. Of solid feed intake – by greater willingness to try clear advantages when those surveyed 14 percent one-fourth to 1 pound new feeds such as hay and managed well. thought pairing was unacper day pre-weanIt’s good for the calf – total-mixed ration. That ceptable; 7 percent thought ing and three-quarters translates into better reit’s important to maintain small groups were unacto 2.5 pounds per day silience to weaning stress. per-calf space allowance, ceptable. post-weaning meaning an increase in total Calves reared with social In contrast two-thirds of body weight at weanspace for pairs or groups. A companions bellow less participants thought pairing – by 5 to 9 pounds larger space allows calves to during weaning. When average daily gain – by ing calves was acceptable show a wider range of nat- regrouped after weaning and three-fourths thought one-fourth pound they start feeding sooner ural behaviors, including group pens were acceptThose increases were playing. They learn to play and don’t show the same able. It’s the first study growth check that conven- especially apparent for well with others. Having showing social housing is tionally reared calves com- calves fed increased milk social contact early in life important for continued allowances. Becoming helps them learn appropri- monly do. consumer acceptance of established on solid feeds It’s good for growth ate social interactions and dairy production. before weaning is importperformance – across also improves their other Social housing can be ant for stimulating rumen a dozen studies socially learning abilities. Socially implemented in many reared calves outperformed function. Better early-life reared calves show better single calves in one or more growth translates to earlier flexibility and adaptabilonset of puberty and better categories. ity to change, including a Please see VANOS, Page E2
Webinar offers economic insights The current dairy environment requires producers to focus on core values, practice discipline in the fundamentals of business and take ownership of their dairy’s numbers. David Kohl is a Prof e s s o r Emeritus David Kohl of agricultural finance as well as small-business management and entrepreneurship at Virginia Polytechnic In-
stitute and State University. He’ll be offering a webinar regarding economic management entitled, “Get a Grip on Ag Economics,” from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 17. It’s one of Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin’s “World Class Webinars.” From the board room to the frontlines Kohl has traveled several millions of miles and gleaned a wealth of information from around the globe. In this webinar he’ll share the latest regarding core factors that will influence the dairy in-
dustry and business models of the future. He’ll discuss five “tools for the times” to jumpstart dairy businesses for the next decade. Visit www.pdpw.org or call 800-947-7379 for more information. Participants who register can watch the session live; a fully recorded version will also be available to watch later. All past PDPW World Class Webinars are available in the PDPW Webinar Library. Visit pdpw.org/ webinar-library for more information.
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Blending a ration for best Drive, Fond du Lac. call 800-947-7379 for more production is an ongoing Visit www.pdpw.org or information. challenge for dairy producers. A difficult growing season makes it a particularly ambitious task. The Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin’s Feed Management Tours will showcase feeding strategies Oct. 24 — Keith Beer at two successful Wisconsin dairies in Fond du Lac County. Attendees will engage in dialogue with hosts at VirClar Farms of Fond du Lac and Second Look Holsteins of Eden. They will take a closer look at each dairy’s approach to feed management. Several critical insights will be highlighted. innovative solutions to feed storing, mixing and delivering value of using feed-management software effective strategies for BEER FARMS AND CATTLE CO, BERNE, INDIANA, Max (left), Karen, Keith (right) and Craig Beer managing leachate incorporating no-till Calving nearly 200 two-year-olds monthly, milking only fresh heifers, SCC 150 to 160,000 practices using cover crops “Getting udders softer, faster for more milk is why we use Udder Comfort.™ For fresh heifers, Participants will learn that’s key. Using this product for 4 years on 2-year-olds after calving, the proof is in the about the benefits of feedpudding. Udders are more pliable. We see lower SCC and a 3- to 4-pound production Quality Udders Make Quality Milk ing a diet consisting of solely increase by 14 days in milk,” says Keith Beer. He and Craig and parents Max and Karen corn silage and western dry raise and sell fresh heifers, calving nearly 200 monthly at Beer Cattle Co., Berne, Indiana. To locate a dealer, call 1.888.773.7153 hay as forage sources. They’ll “Dairies continue to get more milk per cow, and we find ways to supply them with heifers Visit our new website at uddercomfort.com also discover the advantages that continue to get more milk. Udder Comfort is part of that. With their Spray Gun and @uddercomfort of customizing a feed-manBackpack Sprayer, it’s simple and easy to get the job done. agement system that suits “We trialed the Udder Comfort Backpack Sprayer, a great tool to do pre-fresh heifers in headlocks 1x/day For external application to the udder only, after milking, as an their dairy’s specific needs. component of udder management. Always wash and 7 days before calving. Our results were similar to post-fresh with the Spray Gun in the parlor. A combination essential dry teats thoroughly before milking. During lunch discussions is ideal: 1 to 2 days before calving and 3 to 5 days after. For us, post-fresh in the parlor is the best fit. with consultants and tour “Seeing the difference it makes, our guys are proud do it, using the Udder Comfort Spray hosts, attendees will have Gun on parlor air before cows exit 2x/day 5 to 7 days after calving. One pass (front to rear) an opportunity to ask quesdelivers Udder Comfort to the bottom of the udder and up a few inches, overcoming edema tions. around teats and the suspensory ligament, getting udders ready to accept volumes of milk. A chartered bus will pick “This product works. With either method, 5 gallons covers a month for us, averaging 12 applications up attendees at the Radisson on 200 fresh heifers.” Hotel and Conference Center, 625 W. Rolling Meadows
“Getting udders softer, faster for more milk...”
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