Calf rearing – for a successful dairy farming operation

Calf rearing – for a successful dairy farming operation 

A healthy female calf is the starting point for a profitable dairy farm business. It is from day one that the foundation for the high milk-yielding animal is laid and proper rearing of the young ones greatly influences the future production.

The first few months in the calf’s life are much more important than most people realize. Proper attention should be paid to the rearing of young calves and there should be no lacunae. The person in charge of calf rearing has one of the most responsible jobs on the farm and he/she must be fully aware of this responsibility.

The main purpose of rearing young ones is to raise well–developed heifers, which will be able to achieve a desired weight for first insemination to calve at an early age to cater to farmer’s own breeding herd or to make available good quality pregnant cows to the industry.

Some of the advantages of early calving are lower rearing costs, early productivity and a higher life-time milk production, thus making the milking animals more profitable.

For the prevention of problems at calving time, it is of utmost importance that the heifers are well developed. The optimal time of first insemination is more depended on body weight than age. Some heifers may be able to achieve the desired weight in 14 months; others may achieve the same in 16 months of age. Thus the proper age for insemination and calving are governed by the development of the heifer. Though good young stock rearing practices, it is possible to inseminate the heifers at an average age of about 14 – 15 months, which results in an average calving of about 24 months.

Feeding Colostrum

Colostrum is defined as the secretion from the mammary gland of the mammals during the first few days of parturition. In the dairy industry, secretions from the milking animal’s udder for one day after the parturition are commonly referred to as COLOSTRUM. Secretions produced second and third day after parturition are called TRANSITION MILK. Colostrum differs from the normal milk in many ways. It is markedly higher in solids, fats, protein, vitamins and Ig (commonly referred as antibodies) and is lower in lactose. The amount of solids and protein (especially Ig), decline rapidly after the first day, so that by day four the milk reaches normal composition.

 It is essential that the calf receives about 1. 5 – 2 liters of Colostrum within the first half an hour of birth. On the first day fresh Colostrum can be fed 3 – 4 times. From day two, twice daily feeding should suffice. With each feeding 2 liters of Colostrum should be given.

If by any chance, the calf is not provided with the Colostrum for the first 6 hours of life, the amount of Colostrum will have to be increased to compensate for the reduced absorption of antibodies (Ig). However, the delay in Colostrum feeding increases the risk of bacterial infection.

The intestines do not discriminate among molecules. If Colostral molecules do not saturate the intestinal absorptive sites, it is possible that bacteria may reach the sites first and be absorbed in the calf system. If bacterial reach the absorptive sites before the Colostral Proteins, the calf will be at great risk of septicemia, which is often fatal. Therefore, it is imperative that Colostrum is fed as soon as possible after birth.

 

Feeding milk and milk replacer

Until he rumen can start supplying energy and microbial protein sufficient for maintenance and growth, the calf must have a high quality liquid milk or milk replacer diet. Emphasis must be placed on the quality as well as quantity of the Milk and Milk Replacer offered. Also, sanitizing Feeding and mixing equipment along with proper handling and storage of milk and milk replacer are essential to avoid bacterial contamination that may lead to calf health problems.

Three days after the birth there should be a gradual change to twice daily feeding of whole milk or MILK REPLACER. Whole milk with a fat content of approximately 4 percent can be fed @ 2 – 2.5 liters per feeding (4 – 5 liters daily). Milk Replacer with a lower fat content of 2 percent will have to be fed @ 2.5 – 3 liters in each feeding (5 – 6 liters / day). Ideally, milk feeding should be adjusted to the size and health of the calf and climatic conditions. In cold conditions, higher quantity may be required  as  the calf requires 25-30 percent additional solids and a third feeding may be required. While feeding too little milk at an early stage depresses growth, too much milk for longtime will depress calf starter intake. An ideal calf starter should be about 16-17% digestible crude protein and should be highly palatable.

The feeding should be done at regular intervals. Ideally milk should always be fed at body temperature. However, daily variations in the temperature of heated milk may cause more digestive disorders than cool milk.

Feeding high quality liquid feed will lead to better early growth, higher rates of calf survival and early dry feed intake.Without adequate nutrition, the calf and its immune system will not grow. Thus it is predisposed to disease, particularly scouring and respiratory problems. The calf must begin to grow it is to have an adequate calf starter intake to promote the necessary Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA’s) for rumen development.

Weaning should be done at a weight of 85 kg or when the chest circumference is 95 cm. A young calf must attain at least 70 percent of calving time weight (24 months) at the time of first insemination (15th month) and the average weight gain from third month to 14/15th month should be about 800 gms/day.  

Amit Sachdev

India Consultant

World Wide Sires

Email: indiawws@gmail.com