Calf Rearing in a dairy production .pptx

How calf are weaned in a dairy production systems and cared for

1. Calf Rearing

2. No calf no milk Research has shown that the rate of absorption of immunoglobins obtained from the mother’s milk, is greatest during the first 6 hours after birth . The calf should suckle its dam for at least the first 24 hours of its life. The suckling of colostrum from, or in the presence of, the dam has been found to be most effective for the absorbtion of antibodies . The stockman should ensure that the calf has a good feed of colostrum within the first eight hours Colostrum intake

3. It is rich in energy , having a high oil content , and energy is more important to the calf than is protein at this stage of life. It is rich in vitamins , particularly vitamin A , which is essential for the efficient development of the lymphatic system and epithelium tissue, which are vital for the animal to resist disease. It has a laxative effect , which is essential to clear out the calf's digestive tract in the first few days of life. Properties of colostrum

4. Inadequate intake of colostrum predisposes calf to high disease incidences Not adequate to let calf suckle but to ensure significant intake May be necessary to milk out the cow and feed at following rates 1 litre within 1.5h of birth Another litre after 3 hrs Another litre after 8hrs 1 litre after 24 hrs

5. Freeze and store excess colostrum In the absence of colostrum, the following mixture can be used as substitute 1 whipped egg 0.3 litres water 0.6 litres whole milk 0.25 ml castor oil Feed 4 times a day with additional vitamin A injection

6. The amount of milk to be fed depends on the size of the calf, and is usually 8 to 10% of its birth mass Do not overfeed because this may result in digestive upsets and scours. When restricted levels of milk are fed, or "high dry matter" milk replacers are used, the calf will get insufficient liquid in its feed for its daily requirements, and water must be freely available . Remove the concentrates and water for half an hour during and after feeding milk (or milk substitute), otherwise calves may engorge Liquid feeding period

7. Teat or bucket feeding Calves must start to eat concentrates early Low fibre, high protein and coarse all feed must be offered fresh Clean fresh water should be readily available from 3 weeks Avoid overfeeding whole milk, it may result in scours Act quickly in case of scours

8. Scours remedy 5g bi-carbonate of soda 5g salt 5g potassium chloride 10g glucose All in 1 liter of water All dietary changes must be gradual Calves will consume 1kg solid feed by 25 days but weaning should only be when calves consume 1kg for 3 consecutive days

9. Calves fed whole milk for up to 8 weeks Begins with amounts 8-10% of birth weight gradually reducing until weaning Calf must consume 2kg meal/day by 28 days if not, reduce milk by 1 litre per day Conventional 8 week weaning system

10. Breed Quantity Holstein-Fiesland 4.0-4.5 Ayrshire/Guernsey 3.0-3.5 Jersey 2.0-2.5 Liquid feeding levels on the 8 week weaning system

11. Can cut feeding costs by encouraging calf to eat solid meal sooner Needs very good management Solid meal must be a complete ration 19%CP Milk is restricted to 6-7% of birth mass to encourage consumption of solid feed Feed twice a day in first week, then once a day thereafter Milk is replaced by concentrates between weeks 3 and 5. Early weaning systems 5 weeks

12. Breed Quantity Holstein-Friesland 2.8-3.0 Ayrshire 2.3-2.5 Jersey 1.7-2.0 Milk feeding in the early weaning system

13. Milk replacer Fresh skim milk Surplus colostrum Mastitic milk Substitutes for Whole milk

14. Age dys Holstein Jersey 0-3 4l colostrum/dy in 4 feedings 3l colostrum per day in 4 feedings 4-14 5l whole milk or4 l sour colostrum or 0.5 milk replacer in 3 feedings/day 3 l whole milk or 2.5l sour colostrum or 0.25 replacer in 2 feedings/day 15-24 5l whole milk or 4l sour colostrum or 0.5kg milk replacer in 2 feedings/day 3 l whole milk or 2.5l sour colostrum or 0.25 replacer in 2 feedings/day 24-28 3 l whole milk or sour colostrum or 0.25 replacer in 1 feedings/day 2.5 l whole milk or sour colostrum or 0.15 replacer in 1 feedings/day 28-35 1l whole milk or sour colostrum, 1 litre water in 1 feeding per day 1l whole milkor sour colostrum or 0.1kg milk replacer in 1 feeding per day

15. Choice of housing depends on herd size, climate, available labour, existing buildings, budget and personal preferences Housing should be on a location that provides for manure handling, feeding and bedding Must be isolated from other groups of dairy animals Good drainage Close to walk ways Calf housing

16. Need for adequate housing all year round If pens are used, ensure enough number to rest, clean and disinfect one after use Calves under 6 weeks old usually kept in individual stalls or pens to prevent them suckling one another Individual stall at floor level with bedding Stalls raised on slats to allow urine and faeces to drop through Individual calf hutches

17. Rear seperately until the end of liquid diet Temperature above 13 degrees Can use infra-red lamps to provide heat Good ventilation without draughts Place in hutches immediately after first colostrum Socialisation is important conditions

18. Milk feeding utensil must be washed thoroughly, cold, then warm water with detergent Maintain cleanliness in calf houses Hutches must be brushed and moved to another site which has been left in the sun for at least 3 weeks Cleaning and disinfection

19. Dehorning between 1 week and 3 months of age Removal of extra teats before six months Ear marking Prophylaxis- inject with 250 000 IU Vitamin E 2 weeks after birth

20. Disease or parasite Treatment programme Remarks Bacterial diseases 4-6 months Annually if prevelent in area Anthrax 3-10 months Once only to heifers CA 3-6 months Annually thereafter if it is a problem Quarter evil 6-9 months Viral diseases 6 months or older Lumpy skin disease 3 months or older Annually if a problem 3-day stiff sickness 6 months or older Annually if a problem rabies 3 months or older 2 injections 30 days apart Rift valley fever 6 moths or older Annually if a problem Tapeworm 2,4,6,9&12 months Watch for symptoms on irrigated pastures, in housing, after weaning Roundworms 1,2&5 months flukes Sept and mid March

21. Thank you Lord Jehovah!!!