Calf & Heifer Health
Proper calf care and nutrition in the pre-weaning phase are the foundation for a successful dairy-beef crossbred program.
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Setting calves up for a long-term, successful immune system
Setting up a calf’s immune system from the beginning impacts both her short-term and long-term health. This includes vaccinating dry cows, ensuring passive transfer and developing vaccination and immunostimulant protocols that align with the farm’s heifer-raising goals.
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Leave the needle in the haystack: Rehydrate with an oral electrolyte
Scours causes 60% of pre-weaned calf deaths. Knowing how to correctly rehydrate a dehydrated calf and which product is necessary in each situation is essential to minimizing calf mortality.
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Calf gut health and IgY antibodies
While IgGs might be the star of the show in colostrum, supplementing with IgYs could aid in lining the gut, adding an extra layer of defense through the first weeks of a calf’s life.
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Supporting a dairy calf’s microbiome for a strong immune system
Early life management affects a calf’s health and productivity, not only short-term but throughout its entire life. To help ensure success, farms should focus on nutrition, microbiome, immunity and gut integrity.
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Getting calves to drink water is a yearlong pursuit
A calf’s body is 70% water, and water intake is closely tied to rumen development and starter intake. To encourage intake, producers should provide clean water frequently. Providing warm water or water with electrolytes in a bottle may also encourage additional intake.
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Protect calves with a solid BRD identification plan
Learning how to properly identify symptoms of BRD, performing routine checks during feeding, keeping detailed records, and monitoring the type and duration of antibiotic therapy can aid in the protection of youngstock from BRD.
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Colostrum for calves with diarrhea? Exploring the potential of colostrum as an additional therapy
Calves with diarrhea could benefit from colostrum supplementation. Recent research shows that eight feedings over four days could reduce the disease to 2.75 days.
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Colostrum can help control BRD: Build immunity early in replacement heifers
Controlling BRD is essential for raising healthy calves, but to do so producers and employees need to do a few key things: Know the signs of BRD, provide good-quality colostrum and vaccinate against it.
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Mycotoxins: Not just a dairy cow issue
While some might think mycotoxins don’t affect calves, they can be present in calf starter. Concentrations must stay below 300 parts per billion in calf feed; otherwise, it is toxic.
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