Checkbook Young Stock

CHECKBOOK

YOUNG STOCK F O C U S O N H E A LT H , W E L FA R E A N D G R O W T H

RIKKE ENGELBRECHT

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RIKKE ENGELBRECHT

CHECKBOOK

YOUNG STOCK F O C U S O N H E A LT H , W E L FA R E A N D G R O W T H

Contents

Xxxxxxx

CHAPTER 1: CALVING Instruction card: Vaccination pregnant animals

6

Instruction card: Using milk replacer

44

Checklist: Feeding dry cows

7

Instruction card: Using milk replacer in milk

45

Checklist: Environment dry cows and close-up heifers

8

Instruction card: Training a calf to eat

46

Score card: Housing dry cows and close-up heifers

9

Checklist: Calf muesli

47

Instruction card: Clean calving area

10

Weaning calves on a high-milk diet

48

Checklist: Calving area

11

Checklist: Feeding plan after weaning

49

Instruction card: Cleaning calving pen

12

Checklist: Normal newborn calf behaviour

13

Instruction card: Newborn calf

14

Checklist: Housing

52

Systems for drying the newborn calf

15

Instruction card: Housing

53

Instruction card: Navel disinfection

16

Checklist: Coccidiosis

54

Checklist: Clean environment for newborn calves

17

Checklist: Feeding plan 2-6 months

55

Score card: Calf lying comfortably

18

Ways of measuring growth

56

Instruction card: Ear-tagging

19

Checklist: Feeding plan 6-12 months

57

Checklist: Growth

58

Comparison: Body condition

59

22

Checklist: Animals for insemination

60

Antibodies in colostrum

23

Checklist: Hoof quality

61

Instruction card: Cleaning milking equipment

24

Instruction card: First milking of colostrum

25

Instruction card: Hygienic colostrum milking

26

Fit and healthy calf – checkpoints

64

Systems for measuring the quality of colostrum

27

Sick calf, not thriving – checkpoints

65

Colostrum timeline

28

Checklist: Infection protection

66

Decision tree: What should happen to the colostrum?

29

Methods of giving water

67

Checklist: Colostrum from cow to calf

30

Checklist: Symptoms of diarrhoea

68

Methods for feeding colostrum

31

Timeline: Diarrhoea

69

Instruction card: Using a tube feeder

32

Checklist: Treatment of diarrhoea

70

Methods of storing colostrum

33

Recipe: Homemade electrolyte mixture

71

Instruction card: Heat colostrum in a water bath

34

Our procedure for _______

72

Instruction card: Heating colostrum in a microwave

35

Our procedure for _______

73

Checklist: Pasteurisation

36

Checklist: Blood, milk and faeces samples

37

CHAPTER 4: 2-12 MONTHS

CHAPTER 2: THE FIRST DAY The importance of colostrum

CHAPTER 5: HEALTH AND HYGIENE

CHAPTER 6: SCORE CARDS Score card: Calving

76

Score card: Milk feeding

77

40

Score card: Weight table

78

Milk-feeding methods for group housed calves

41

Score card: Calf health

79

Methods of milk feeding

42

Calf health scoring criteria

80

Pasteurisation methods

43

CHAPTER 3: MILK-FEEDING PERIOD Housing systems: Individual or group

CHAPTER 1: CALVING

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CHECKBOOK YOUNG STOCK

CHAPTER 1

CALVING

Instruction card: Vaccination pregnant animals Rota/corona/E. coli vaccine makes the pregnant animals produce more specific antibodies against diarrhoea. To be effective all the pregnant animals must be vaccinated in time. Never vaccinate stressed animals (recently moved into a new group, around drying off, or animals that have just changed ration).

Drying off Week

-13

-12

-11

-10

-9

-8

-7

Calving -6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

Heifers Cows Heifers should be vaccinated 6-8 weeks before calving and dry cows 1 week before or after drying off (green periods). Don’t vaccinate animals before 12 weeks or within 5 weeks of calving (red periods). Yellow periods is when it is okay to vaccinate but not perfect.

All pregnant animals must be vaccinated with Rota/corona/E. coli vaccine. Never vaccinate a sick animal.

Vaccines must be kept in a refrigerator. Take them out of the refrigerator 15 minutes before use.

Place the vaccine in your pocket to warm it up slightly, in order to avoid causing the animal unnecessary pain when giving the injection.

Always use a new needle and syringe, as good hygiene is important and a dirty needle can harm the animal. Discard used needles into appropriate sharps container.

Always empty the bottles completely, as the vaccine becomes less effective as soon as air has entered the bottle. One bottle is enough for 5 animals, so make sure the number of animals is a multiple of 5.

If you are injured by a needle, go to the doctor immediately. Take the needle and the vaccine bottle with you.

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CHECKBOOK YOUNG STOCK

Checklist: Feeding dry cows The dry period is the start of the next lactation. It is important to make daily checks to ensure the cow can produce colostrum of good quality and quantity, and deliver a live calf without problems.

Note:

An animal eats one ration. The intake of dry matter must be checked daily to monitor that an animal eats one ration. Each cow must have 9-13 kg of dry matter, depending on breed and parity.

n

There must be 14.5-16.5% crude protein in the TMR (total mixed ration).

n

The protein must be top-quality. This means it must be optimised for the amino acids methionine/lysine. The crude protein intake of pregnant animals (close-up) affects the quality of the colostrum (see chart).

n

The ration must be rich in structure and non-selectable.

n

Feed must provide a good mineral balance. There must be equal amounts of Ca, P and Mg: approximately 40-55 g. Pay attention to Na and K: these minerals must be minimised and balanced.

n

In the event of extremely cold or hot temperatures the energy concentration must be increased.

Importance of protein intake of dry cows for IgG intake of calves 6 5.9

Serum IgG of calves (g/l)

5

4 3.7 3

2

0.7 0 0.98

0.71 Crude protein intake of dry cows (kg/day)

Beef heifers are fed different levels of crude protein during the last 100 days of gestation.

CHAPTER 1: CALVING

7

0.52

Source: Blecha et. al.,1981

1

Checklist: Environment dry cows and close-up heifers To ensure a stress-free dry period it is important to maintain focus on a number of parameters.

Always separate dry cows and close-up heifers.

There must be sufficient feed and enough feeding spaces.

Note: n

Do not move an individual animal. If pregnant animals (close-up) have to be moved, they must be moved in groups.

n

Work calmly and correctly around the animals.

n

There must be plenty of fresh water and drinking access.

n

Walking areas must be non-slip.

n

There must be light and air around the animals.

Particular attention must be paid to air renewal during hot weather periods.

There must be a minimum of 1 cubicle per cow or a minimum space of 8 m2/cow in the rest area.

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CHECKBOOK YOUNG STOCK

Score card: Housing dry cows and close-up heifers Dry cows and close-up heifers should not be stressed, as this can lead to stillborn calves. It is therefore essential not to house the two groups together. In this way no heifers meet a cow until after they have given birth themselves!

Close-up heifers must be separated from younger heifers 6-8 weeks before calving and not be together with cows or dry cows.

week 1

week 2

week 3

If possible, dry cows must be housed in week batches, as this will result in a lower stress level in the animals.

This heifer is stressed, because she is in a group with older cows.

CHAPTER 1: CALVING

This heifer is content, because she is in a group with other heifers.

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Instruction card: Navel disinfection Disinfecting the navel helps the calf’s immune system, as the navel closes and dries out more quickly, keeping out bacteria. Proper iodine disinfection will reduce mortality by up to 2% because there is a reduction in navel infections.

1 The calf is placed on clean, dry bedding.

4 Dip the umbilical cord in the cup and move the cup right up under the calf’s belly.

2

3

Materials ready: gloves, safety glasses, strong tincture of iodine (≥ 7%) and dipping cup.

5

Find the calf’s navel.

6

Take the dipping cup away.

Fill your hand with iodine and massage the calf’s navel area for 10 seconds.

Note: n n

Navel must be clean before you dip.

Repeated navel dipping once or twice at 12-hour intervals is recommended.

Facts: Navel infections cause 2% of calf deaths. n There are 106 more coliform units in manure from fresh cows that have just given birth compared to other cows at the dairy - so calves should be removed as soon as possible after birth, preferably before they attempt to stand. n

Correct: The calf’s navel area is orange.

Wrong: The iodine has not gone onto the calf’s navel area but onto its belly – protecting nothing.

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CHECKBOOK YOUNG STOCK

Checklist: Clean environment for newborn calves A calf is vulnerable, so it is important to have a clean, dry pen with no draughts.

In this way it gets the best conditions for a good start.

40 cm

The pen must be clean and dry.

There must be enough straw in the pen to give the calf a good bed.

Check that it comes up beyond your elbow (40 cm).

The calf must be protected from draughts.

This calf will get a very bad start.

CHAPTER 1: CALVING

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CHECKBOOK YOUNG STOCK

CHAPTER 2

THE FIRST D AY

The importance of colostrum Good colostrum feeding is essential for successful calf rearing. There are three important factors for giving colostrum: the timing of feeding, the quality and the quantity of colostrum.

White soldier = antibody Green warrior = pathogen, bacteria

Even if quality is under control, the number of bacteria in the colostrum can be very important for the calf’s absorption of antibodies.

If the calf consumes a large quantity of harmful bacteria via the colostrum, due to scraps of manure or poorly cleaned milk containers or bowls, it will not be capable of absorbing the antibodies from the colostrum. This applies even if the colostrum is of good quality

and contains plenty of antibodies, so it is important to avoid contamination by bacteria and ensure a high standard of hygiene.

The number of bacteria is determined by the amount of time the colostrum is left standing in the used equipment. The number of bacteria doubles every 20 minutes.

Colostrum left in a bucket should never be fed to the calf.

Dirty equipment causes high bacterial growth.

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CHECKBOOK YOUNG STOCK

Antibodies in colostrum The quantity of antibodies in colostrum is a sign of quality. The calf needs 200 g antibodies. Average colostrum contains 50 g/litre, so the calf needs 4 litres in order to absorb the desired number of antibodies.

175

Brix 22 150

Antibody content: IgG (g/l)

125

100

75

50

25

0 10

15

20

25

30

35

Brix value

Be aware that a high level of contamination has a negative effect.

Despite the fact that there are plenty of antibodies in the colostrum, the calf will not be able to absorb these antibodies if the colostrum also contains a large quantity of harmful bacteria. Sources of contamination are scraps of manure or insufficient cleaning of the equipment used.

The calf cannot absorb all the antibodies it is given in the first portion of colostrum. It is therefore important for it to be given plenty so that the number in the bloodstream rises above the critical level.

As shown in the chart, the colostrum must have a Brix value of 22 or above in order to contain more than 50 g antibodies per litre of colostrum.

C H A P T E R 2 : T H E F I R S T D AY

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Reference: Løkke, Engelbrecht, Wiking (2016). Covariance structures of fat and protein influence the estimation of IgG in bovine colostrum. Journal of Dairy Research, 83, 1:58-66.

Relation between Brix value and antibody content of colostrum

Instruction card: Cleaning milking equipment Bacteria thrive in milk. It is important that the equipment used for the milk is thoroughly clean. If the equipment is also used for milk for bigger calves, it is even more important to ensure a high standard of hygiene and thus avoid infection.

1

2

Rinse all traces of milk from the bowl.

Wash the bowl with detergent.

3

4

Rinse any remaining detergent from the bowl.

Alternatively, an industrial dishwasher can be used.

Wet bowls must not be stacked inside each other, because they will not dry. They should not be put on the floor either, as the area around them cannot be kept clean.

Wet bowls should be stacked individually either on a table or on shelving hung on the wall so there is air around them and they dry.

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CHECKBOOK YOUNG STOCK

Instruction card: First milking of colostrum

Decrease of antibodies in colostrum

Antibody content: IgG (g/l)

175 150

> 80%

125 100 75 50 25 0 0

5

10

15

20

25

Time from calving until milking (hours)

Reference: Lokke, Engelbrecht, Wiking (2016). Covariance structures of fat and protein influence the estimation of IgG in bovine colostrum. Journal of Dairy Research, 83, 1:58-66.

The time when colostrum is milked is critical for its quality. If you want to ensure a high antibody content in the portion of colostrum that is to be given to the calf, it is important to plan how to do this.

The number of antibodies in colostrum decreases over time after calving.

Milk the cow within 5 hours of calving. After 5 hours you will most likely have colostrum of poor rather than good quality.

Use gloves during milking.

Use clean, disinfected milking equipment and containers.

C H A P T E R 2 : T H E F I R S T D AY

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Instruction card: Hygienic colostrum milking The number of harmful bacteria in colostrum doubles every 20 minutes. The hygiene around the collection of colostrum is therefore of paramount importance for ensuring good-quality milk fit for a newborn calf.

1

2

Use gloves during the whole process.

The milking unit and the container must be disinfected between each use.

4

3 Wipe the teats dry.

Strip all teats so the milk can be checked for impurities before milking.

5

6

Attach the milking unit from the bucket milker on the cow.

Clean and disinfect the milking unit and the bucket so they will be ready when the next cow calves.

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CHECKBOOK YOUNG STOCK

Systems for measuring the quality of colostrum The colostrum is of good quality when the milk has a Brix value of 22 or above. Measurements must be carried out each time colostrum is collected, but there are various ways of doing this.

Digital refractometer (Brix refractometer) + Quick + Easy to use + For both colostrum and milk + Measures dry-matter content, so gives an unambiguous result + Temperature-independent + Easy to calibrate – Relatively expensive – Not all digital refractometers are suitable for measuring milk

Manual refractometer + Cheaper than digital refractometer.

– The reading must be done by the user – which makes it inaccurate – Must be calibrated at least once a day – Many are dependent upon temperature, so read the manual/ manufacturer’s guide clearly.

Colostrometer + Cheap – Temperature-dependent (only works at 20°C) – Time-consuming, as the temperature of the milk must drop first – Bacteria in the milk multiply while waiting for the milk to cool – Uncertainty of reading (not unambiguous) – Incorrect scale – Fragile (made of glass)

Accuracy is important: Standard temperature is usually room temperature on the optical refractometers even though it might say something else.

C H A P T E R 2 : T H E F I R S T D AY

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CHECKBOOK YOUNG STOCK

CHAPTER 4

2-12 MONTHS

Checklist: Housing There are a few things to be taken into account for each age group. With calves it is related to milk feeding and minimising infection pressure. Later it may be the need to restrain the animal, for instance for insemination.

0 weeks until 3-4 weeks (up to 8 weeks)

n n n n n

3-4 weeks until weaning (typically 8 weeks)

Individual pens Closed sides Plenty of milk Unlimited water (ad libitum) Calf starter with at least 22% crude protein

n n

Group n Closed sides n Maximum 6 animals per group 33 cm feeding space per animal n Plenty of milk n n

8 weeks until 3 months

n n n n

3 months until 6 months

Group Closed sides (e.g. a wall or hard plastic - washable) Unlimited water Dry feed in the form of specially designed calf/heifer mix (until age 5-8 months)

Group Possibly closed sides n Several pens joined together to make one group pen (age of calves not more than one week apart, so difficult on small farms) n n

6 months until 12 months

n n n n

Unlimited water Unlimited calf starter until 5-6 weeks of life (at least), specially designed calf/heifer mix (until 5th-8th month of life)

12 months until calving

Group One single group Open sides Plenty of fibre and structure in the TMR

Group One single group n Feed barriers

52

n

n

n

n

Open sides Plenty of fibre and structure in the TMR

CHECKBOOK YOUNG STOCK

Instruction card: Housing Calves should be housed individually to begin with, as this results in the lowest infection rate and provides the best monitoring of milk and feed intake. When the calves are put together later, it is important that the whole group moves on together with other groups and no animal is moved on its own - they should be able to stick to their buddy.

Individual pens n 1 animal per pen n 0-4 weeks, sometimes up to 8 weeks

Group pens 4-6 animals per pen n 4-8 weeks until 2-3 months n

Group pens 6+ animals n 3-6 months n

1 group pen All animals (no more animals than you can look after daily) n 6-9 months, sometimes up to 12 months n

1 group pen All heifers for insemination n Headlock n

1 group pen All animals (no more animals than you can look after daily) n 12 months to calving n Possibility to restrain n

Never wean and move to a new pen design at once.

Never move and change diet at the same time. n 1 week between changes is a must for a young animal. n n

CHAPTER 4: 2-12 MONTHS

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A group should be made by an equal calf number e.g. 2, 4, 6 or 8 calves per group. n A calf prefers to have a friend = a buddy. That is why the group should consist of an equal number of calves. n

Checklist: Coccidiosis The change from milk to solid feed is a challenge and during this period you must be particularly vigilant about coccidiosis. A calf that does not receive sufficient amounts of energy and protein is more susceptible to coccidiosis. Be sure to have stable groups of animals (all-in-all-out), and clean properly between new groups to avoid infections.

A malnourished calf with coccidiosis. At the same time there is no feed and too little straw.

A healthy calf with a healthy ration.

Around weaning, ensure that the calves are given sufficient energy to replace the milk. Milk is full of energy, and must be replaced by another good source of energy – coarsely rolled barley, maize or maize silage. The provision of protein – especially the provision of amino acids – is also very important. There must be a good balance between energy and protein.

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CHECKBOOK YOUNG STOCK

Checklist: Feeding plan 2-6 months The calves’ primary source of energy is now a non-selective TMR ration, based on good ingredients of known origin, uncontaminated by foreign substances, such as fungi and toxins.

The feed ration should consist of good ingredients with a high energy content. n Based on starch and a moderate amount of fibre. n Good ingredients can be coarsely rolled barley, maize (MKS), maize silage and oats. n The beardless varieties of grain such as wheat, rye and triticale should be avoided or used only in limited quantities. n The protein provision should be based on good amino acidcontaining ingredients, primarily crushed soya and maize gluten 60. n Rapeseed cake can be included in small quantities. n It is important to provide sufficient quantities of amino acids in order to ensure optimum growth. n The calves are still monogastric and cannot build up the essential amino acids themselves. n

Example feeding plan

Never offer a diet that can be sorted. It must look like a TMR - a baby TMR. At the same time a calf should never be offered more than one kind of meal - there shouldn’t be a choice, only one TMR.

CHAPTER 4: 2-12 MONTHS

Soya bean meal

0.70 kg DM

Dry cows minerals

0.03 kg DM

Salt

0.03 kg DM

Ground limestone

0.10 kg DM

Maize - MKS (Maize Cobs Silage)

0.90 kg DM

Grass silage

0.30 kg DM

Maize silage

2.10 kg DM

A good feed ration: every mouthful is the same and the calves can’t select.

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“ W E A R E V E R Y R E AC T I V E W H E N I T CO M E S TO C A L F M A N AG E M E N T - B U T N E V E R P R O AC T I V E - A N D S O W E N E V E R GET ANY WHERE” CHECKBOOK

Mike van Amburgh

YOUNG STOCK A reactive approach to calf rearing should and can be changed by any dairy farmer, manager or adviser who is willing to invest and to change previous habits.

Checkbook Young Stock summarises issues and work tasks in relation to calf management from the early moments when the calf is born all the way to becoming a heifer and until she gives birth herself for the first time. Practical ways of executing tasks on the dairy farm are lined up page by page so that single pages can be used in the area of the dairy farm where plans and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are required.

Everything is described in pictures and drawings so text is minimal.

The material is made as inspiration for you and your dairy farm and can be used, as a day-to-day troubleshooting assisting tool, as a book for learning, and as an ’eye-opener’ to areas where performance could be improved.

W W W. VJ L . D K

W W W. R O O D B O N T. CO M

SO: On your dairy farm, schedule a plan of how to identify sick calves. The staff caring for calves must be well trained in identifying differences from ‘normal’, which will make the successful raising of your calves a whole lot easier. This can be done during a feeding session or over a cup of coffee or ideally both.

If you are the adviser, you are the one with eyes not looking at routines on a daily basis. A monthly visit or ‘check’ should assist your dairy farms on a long-term basis if only you plan ahead and make a schedule for things.

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