Cowmanagement young stock

N OVE M B E R 2019

From newborn to first calving in 24 months GET THE LATEST NEWS AT WWW.C OWMA NAGEMENT.CO.UK

CMYS-Cover.indd 2

22-10-19 11:10

Nedap CowControl™

Know your cow Control your herd Improve your dairy

You can’t possibly see everything you need to know.

Let Nedap help put the power of precision dairying on your side. We partner with the best A.I. and milking equipment providers to deliver the most precise and complete herd monitoring insights.

Identification

|

Heat Detection

|

Health Monitoring

|

Cow Locating

|

Herd Performance Trends

nedap.com/CowControl

CM05_p02.indd 2

21-08-19 11:24

PREVENT CLINICAL SIGNS OF COCCIDIOSIS

COXICERT

®

Watch our Video here!

2.5 mg/ml ORAL SUSPENSION for Sheep and Cattle

Diclazuril

Coxicert® 2.5mg/ml oral suspension for sheep and cattle contains Diclazuril. POM-VPS. May be prescribed by any Registered Qualified Person (RQP - a veterinarian, a pharmacist or an appropriately qualified SQP).For further information see the SPC, farmers should contact their animal medicines supplier SQP, veterinary surgeon or Downland Marketing Ltd, 15 Victoria Place, Carlisle, CA1 1EW. Use medicines responsibly: www.noah.co.uk/responsible.

A single oral dose – easy to administer

View through camera

To find your local Downland retailer visit: www.downland.co.uk

Cow Management W180 x H61mm

BARN EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS

Cowcall Calving Detectors

DP Agri Stainless Steel Drinkers • Steel Rapid Exit Easy Clean Drinking Troughs • Common placed across Europe, the large exit bung replaces the more typical rollover trough that so frequently leaks and sprays water into adjacent cubicles.

• Our troughs are fully stainless and designed to be wall mounted

• Even the water fittings are zinc plated to defend against borehole water.

• Free standing legs are an optional extra • Typical trough sizes are: • 1.4mtrs • 1.9mtrs • 2.3mtrs

• Small, compact, light and temperature sensitive device is placed in the vagina of the cow up to 14 days prior to calving. The insertion process takes seconds • Once inserted, you simply press a button on the Cow Call unit and walk away • The unit is connected to a base station installed in a key location on your farm • When the cow’s waters break, the device is pushed out • Once outdoor light is detected, a message is immediately sent to the base station. Here the information is analysed

Alverdiscott Road, Bideford, Devon EX39 4FG • Tel/fax: (0044) 01237 425000 • info@dpagri.co.uk • A SMS & phone call is sent to the farmer to alert him/

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019 her that calving has commenced CMYS01_p03.indd 3

• The device will shut down after 20 seconds of been passed out • Detection of the breaking of waters will allow the farmer to assess the situation, allow nature to take its

3

16-10-19 10:34

FROM THE EDITOR

CONTENT MAI N ART I C LE

6 Hit the 24-month target age to calve heifers for the first time I N T E RVI E W

10 Fi Boothby underlines the importance of colostrum, cleanliness and consistency H E ALT H

15 27 28

Resilience is key to maximise production Support calf health and reduce costs Tips to maximise heifer fertility P H OTO S P R E AD

16 Close attention

Spotlight shines on young stock Welcome to the first CowManagement Young Stock supplement, which gives the next generation of milkers the healthy dose of attention that they richly deserve. Producers are increasingly aware of the dedication and attention to detail required to ensure that calves get off to the best possible start.

And it begins with protecting their health and optimising growth rates and leads to a long, productive and profitable life in the milking herd.

Efficient heifer rearing hinges on calving them for the first time, ideally, by 24 months old. There’s quite a range, but the good news is that the UK average age at first calving is falling, as vet Rob Drysdale explains on page six. We also talk to vet Fi Boothby for tips on improving colostrum and pre-weaning management. And we dispel some calf-rearing myths on page 22, in our report from a recent calf-rearing conference. The aim, ultimately, is to reduce rearing costs and improve heifer health and productivity. And who doesn’t want that?

MAN AG E ME N T

18

Contract heifer rearing: less pressure, improved performance 22 Dispelling calf-rearing myths with facts I N S P I R I N G FAR ME R

20 Gold-standard calf rearing: Hannah Rogers YO U N G STO C K N E WS

31 Six-step hygiene routine

THIS PUBLICATION IS PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH:

RACHAEL PORTER EDITOR

4

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-content.indd 4

15-10-19 14:34

main article aim high to lower age at first calving

6

Fi Boothby:

Hannah Rogers:

Gert van Trierum:

“There are no second chances with colostrum”

“It’s so important to keep diseases and stress to an absolute minimum”

“The abomasum has a limited capacity and any overflow can cause scours”

10

20

22

CONTACTS CowManagement Young Stock is published by CRV BV, Publishing Department

EDITORIAL TEAM

Chief editor: Jaap van der Knaap P.O. Box 454, 6800 AL Arnhem, The Netherlands E-mail: cm.office@crv4all.com Editor: Rachael Porter Phone: 01394 270587 E-mail: rachael@reporterjournalism.co.uk Contributing writers: Rachel Queenborough, Karen Wright Publisher: Rochus Kingmans

ILLUSTRATIONS/PICTURES

Photographs by Veeteelt Photography, Els Korsten (6-7, 15), Ruth Downing (10-12), Mark Pasveer (16-17), Aaron Armstrong (20) and Becky Mills (24).

ADVERTISEMENTS

Nicci Chamberlin, NMR. Phone 07970 009136 E-mail: niccich@nmrp.com Jannet Fokkert, Froukje Visser, Hilda van der Wal E-mail: hilda.van.der.wal@crv4all.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS

CowManagement is available free of charge to: NMR, CRV Avoncroft, Thompsons, ForFarmers and Boehringer Ingelheim customers. If you think you are

NOVE MBER 2019

eligible, or if you wish to no longer receive CowManagement, then please contact: National Milk Records plc, Fox Talbot House, Greenways Business Park, Bellinger Close, Chippenham SN15 1BN Phone 03330 043043 E-mail: customerservices@nmrp.com

DISCLAIMER

CowManagement does not necessarily share the views expressed by contributors. No responsibility is accepted for the claims made by advertisers. No responsibility can be accepted

by CRV BV for the opinions expressed by contributors. Whilst every effort is made to obtain reliable and accurate information, liability cannot be accepted for errors. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher.

PRINTER Stephens and George Ltd.

From newborn to first calving in 24 months GET THE LATEST NEWS AT WWW .COW MANA GEME

NT.CO .UK

CMYS-Cover.indd 2

22-10-19 11:10

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-content.indd 5

5

22-10-19 11:19

MAIN ARTICLE AGE AT FIRST CALVING

Aim high to lower a

A renewed focus on early calf growth and age at first service are the key pieces in the puzzle that should help producers to achieve the magical target of calving heifers for the first time at 24 months old.

TEXT RACHAEL PORTER

T

he UK’s average heifer age at first calving is between 26 and 27 months – a good 60 to 90 days off the muchtalked-about 24-month target.

And there’s quite a range in first calving age too – from 22 months through to 30 months – which results in that average: “So there must be many producers in the 25 or 26 month bracket; there’s, therefore, plenty of work to be done,” says Sussex-based vet and consultant Rob Drysdale.

“The good news is that the age at first calving in UK herds is improving,” he adds. “Five years ago it was 28 months, and now it’s between 26 and 27 months, and all the data shows that it is still falling.”

6

He says that the poor milk price seen by many businesses back in 2013/2014 served to focus minds on many UK units: “Producers became more aware of the cost savings to be made through more efficient heifer rearing, and how they could best go about it.

“The benefits to be had, which go beyond an increased daily lifetime yield, from calving at between 22 and 24 months also became more widely recognised.”

Reducing the age at first calving by three months – or 90 days – from 27 months to 24 months for a group of 50 heifers could knock £ 9,000 off rearing costs, if we assume each day beyond 24 months costs £ 2 per heifer.”

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-main article.indd 6

10-10-19 15:26

r age at first calving

“Some producers could see an even greater cost saving, if their starting age at first calving is higher,” adds Mr Drysdale.

“More good news is that this can be done with relatively little additional investment and also pretty quickly.

Producers should see improvements within 18 months.”

He adds that herds on all-year-round calving systems could look to block-calving herds for inspiration. “Spring- and autumn-block calving herds are typically calving heifers at below 24 months old – sometimes as young as 22.5 months.

“This is essential if their replacements are to fit into the milking herd’s existing calving pattern. They don’t spend a lot on heifers rearing – spring-block calving herds are, remember, all about low-cost production. Yet these herds are focusing on heifer rearing and getting the results.”

He says that many measure and weigh their heifers throughout the rearing period. “It’s very much about size and not just age. And it’s also about ‘maturity’ – and not just physically. I think 22 months is as young as producers should aim. Below that and I believe that heifers lack the mental strength and ability to not only cope with calving, but also to join and thrive in the milking herd.

“On units that are achieving a young age at first calving, I often see these heifers run as a separate group. Again it’s about their ability to cope and if you’re running a blockcalving herd you’re more likely to have a substantial group of freshly calved heifers at any one time.”

Changing mindset He says that the starting point for many producers is a change of mindset. “It requires a strategic approach and focused investment – both in terms of time and resources.

But it will pay dividends.”

Plans to decrease age at first calving should begin before they’re born. “Stress on the dam will impact on the calf,” he says. “One ‘bottleneck’ in heifer calf growth, identified

by US research, was heat stress in the dam both at and prior to calving.

“Not only did the dam produce less colostrum, but it was poorer quality and uptake by the calf was also less than optimal. And heifer calves then went on to calve between 25 and 30 days later than their herd counterparts and produced less milk in their first lactation.

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-main article.indd 7

7

10-10-19 15:26

MAIN ARTICLE AGE AT FIRST CALVING

Assessing progress: check heifers’ size and weight when deciding if they’re mature enough for first service

“And I think there’s a lot more to colostrum feeding than simply boosting the calf’s immunity and safeguarding health in early life. It has a knock-on effect on later performance.”

He cites work at Cornell University, in New York State, that highlighted that the hormones in colostrum play a key role in heifer growth, development and performance.

“Researchers identified 16 different hormones that have an impact on calf growth, development and reproductive performance. And heat stress in the dam altered the hormone levels in the colostrum. So think about these epigenetic effects when managing dry cows to safeguard colostrum quality, calf health and development.”

Accelerated growth Early management for epigenetics of the calf, in other words colostrum, health, environment and optimising feed conversion efficiency, has been shown to benefit overall gains by 22% compared to 9% for genetics alone.

The first eight weeks of the heifer’s life are also crucial.

“The calf has the potential to grow extremely quickly during this period. So there’s an opportunity here to capitalise on this accelerated growth by paying more attention to feed management in this early phase.

“Early growth really is the key to reducing heifer rearing costs without compromising on heifer development and performance,” says Mr Drysdale.

Heifers should calve at 90% of their adult bodyweight, which means serving them at between 50% and 60% of their mature bodyweight. For a typical black-and-white heifer, this is around 340kg at 15 months old.

Rob Drysdale: “Producers should consider epigenetic factors and also capitalise on accelerated early growth” 8

To reach that target, producers need to be looking for a daily liveweight gain of 0.8kg per day. “But producers could look to achieve growth rates higher than that prior to puberty – closer to 1kg per day. They should be focusing on that early rapid growth, rearing them to between 340kg and 400kg liveweight by between 12 and 13 months and then they can slow grow rates down.

The target, in this accelerated-growth period from birth to 60 days, is to double the birth weight of the calf.

“The best rearers are doing this and not spending a lot more money on feed. They’re seeing a feed conversion efficiency of 2:1 and are hitting liveweight gains of 1kg per day.

“Too many producers look at the better quality calf milk replacers, that are well formulated and proven to achieve these growth rates, and that could help them to achieve this rapid early growth, and just dismiss them as being too expensive. That mindset is another bottleneck in successful and efficient calf rearing.”

He says that, in his experience, producers talk too much about the price of calf milk replacers (CMRs). “But costs in this rearing period – those first eight weeks prior to weaning – equate to a fraction of the cost of rearing a heifer. It’s a short period of time and there’s so much to gain by feeding the calf to exploit her rapid growth potential. It really does pay to get her off to a flying start.”

An additional £10 per calf is the typical cost of using these better quality CMRs and of taking this approach. “She’ll get to 350kg at 13 months and there’s less requirement to spend extra money later on to get her to 90% of her mature bodyweight at calving.”

Mr Drysdale adds that some heifers on this focused regime will hit puberty at between 11 and 12 months old. “I’d wait until their third cycle, at between 13 and 14 months old, before serving them, to ensure the follicles are of good quality.”

“Check weight and size – don’t just go by age – when deciding if she’s ready for serving,” he says. “Producers could see an age at first calving of 22 months if weight targets at first service have been met. And producers can also take them to 90% of their mature bodyweight at a slower, and more cost effective, rate.” l

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-main article.indd 8

10-10-19 15:31

LifeStart science will change the way you feed your calves Energized Calf Milk Energized Calf Milk (ECM) is designed to revolutionise the way we feed calves. ECM has been designed to support the LifeStart objectives: OPTIMAL DEVELOPMENT RESILIENCE TO DISEASE LONGEVITY

All the benefits of a calf milk replacer plus...

With an osmolality of 350 mOsm/kg, ECM is the closest to the 330 mOsm/kg in cow’s milk.

There are 2.9 MJ of ME in 1 L mixed at 135 g/L.

Reformulated for elevated planes of nutrition.

All the benefits of whole milk plus...

CRE M THE

AWARDS

DAIRY INDUSTRY TRADE AWARDS 2019

Eliminates contamination reducing the risk of AMR.

Consistency of manufacture ensures safe feeding every time.

Winner of the Award for Innovation.

For more details visit trouwnutrition.co.uk/ECM

CMYS01_p09.indd 9

11-10-19 09:41

INTERVIEW FI BOOTHBY

“There are no second chances with colostrum”

10

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-interview.indd 10

10-10-19 14:49

Colostrum, cleanliness

and consistency

Dairy vet Fi Boothby, from Devon-based Vale Farm Vets, answers some key questions to help producers tighten up their young calf rearing systems.

TEXT RACHAEL PORTER

Producers know the importance of colostrum, so how can they make sure new-born calves are fed enough quality colostrum in those first crucial six hours?

“I like to see producers milking the cow, checking the quality of the colostrum with a refractometer and then bottle feeding the calf within six hours. It’s the only way to be sure it’s had enough in those first crucial hours. Some producers still rely on the calf suckling the cow, but the calf really needs to be suckling for 20 minutes to get enough colostrum – that’s actually a long time and it’s hard work for the calf. Ten minutes is more typical, but the calf just won’t take enough colostrum.”

And how much colostrum do newborn calves need to ensure they acquire good immunity?

“This depends on the size of the calf, the quality of the colostrum and how it’s fed to the calf. The size of the calf will, obviously, vary according to breed. As a rule of thumb, calves require 10% of their birth weight (so that’s four or five litres for a Holstein calf) if, and this is the important bit, the colostrum is good quality. Good quality colostrum – and the only way to know if it’s tip top is to use a refractometer – will register Brix levels of 22% or more on the Brix refractometer scale. If levels are lower than this, the calf will need more colostrum – possible twice as much.”

Bottle feed or tube feed colostrum?

“I prefer to see calves being bottle fed colostrum, rather than tube fed. Tubing a calf will mean that it requires more colostrum – and probably it’ll need a second feed in order to move the first one

through twice as much as a bottle-fed calf.

This is because sucking activates the oesophageal groove and ensures that the colostrum passes into the ‘correct’ stomach – the abomasum – and not the rumen.

Conversely, tubing puts the colostrum into the rumen and this reduces the ability of the calf to absorb the immunoglobulins. So more needs to be fed.

“That said, if a calf can’t or won’t suck, tubing is essential. Just ensure that there are protocols in place to be sure that these calves are fed more colostrum (and an extra second feed) than calves that are fed from a bottle. They need extra special treatment.”

So colostrum feeding protocols will vary from unit to unit?

“Yes – and from calf to calf. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ here and it’s important to check each calf and manage its colostrum feeding according to its size, the quality of colostrum available (from the dam or the stored/frozen colostrum) and the method of feeding. There are no second chances with colostrum. Once those six hours have passed, that opportunity to help boost the calf’s immunity has passed.”

How can you check that your colostrum feeding protocols and management is effective?

“The ‘gold’ standard, which I’m seeing on more and more dairy units, is blood testing calves to check their immunoglobulin levels. This can be done at between two and five days old, as part of the routine weekly vet visit. The bloods can be tested the same day. It’s a way to ensure that your protocols are working. If not, changes can be made to keep things on track.

“There’s nothing producers can do at this

point about that calves’ immunity if they find it is compromised, but it’s a wake-up call that they need to up their game.

Protocols and management practices can be reviewed quickly to ensure that other new-born calves are fed enough good quality colostrum and within the time frame.

“It’s a low-cost test, and a tiny fraction of the cost of rearing a replacement heifer, so test a few calves at once. A single test may not give an accurate picture of the situation on farm, so testing a few gives a more reliable result. View it as an insurance policy and a way to check that all the time and effort spent on colostrum feeding protocols is actually doing what it sets out to do.”

So, after implementing strict colostrum feeding protocols and management – and checking that they’re working effectively – what should be next on producers’ lists when it comes to trouble-free calf rearing?

“Hygiene – that’s a key area where many producers could improve their husbandry when it comes to rearing young calves.

Hygiene is also the cause of the vast majority of scour problems, including cryptosporidium. Check that buckets, bottle, tubes and, indeed, the colostrum is clean. Don’t leave colostrum hanging around for a few hours on a warm day, and keep containers covered. And, of course, make sure your hands are clean when handling and feeding colostrum to calves, and that you aren’t covered in cow muck.

“The same applies to feeding calf milk replacer. Keep utensils, such as jugs and whisks and buckets, scrupulously clean.”

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-interview.indd 11

11

10-10-19 14:50

INTERVIEW FI BOOTHBY So what ‘details’ can make the difference?

“Regular feeding times for one. If, for example, calves have to be fed at 9.00am and milking often runs late, or other jobs come before milk feeding, remember that young calves are vulnerable and prone to digestive upset if kept waiting, even if it’s just for half an hour.

“And dedicated labour can also help. Labour is an issue on many units. Interestingly, the larger herds tend to do a better job as they can justify taking on additional dedicated calf rearing staff – they are geared up for it and tend to have more resources.

“But even on smaller units the calves should come first, and their care and management should be prioritised.

“Prioritising calves is also important. Try to shift the focus to the calves – particularly those being milk fed – and don’t always have them as an afterthought to the milking herd.”

So mitigating stress is important.

Why? “Stress depresses the calves immunity and can be nutritional and environmental.

Fluctuations in temperature and humidity, wet bedding and poor ventilation can all cause stress and disease.

“A feed that’s 30 minutes late or milk that’s too cool can cause stress and upset the calf’s stomach. We sometimes see cases of abomasitis.

“This is when the bugs calves’ stomachs, which are usually in balance, are disrupted and certain ones can ‘overgrow’, causing sudden deaths. This can happen when routines are upset.”

So consistent feeding times are important. What else?

“The devil is often in the detail”

Why do producers still have problems, even when good protocols are in place and are being followed?

“There’s been a lot of progress when it comes to improving calf rearing practices and I do see clients who, on the face of it, are doing everything right.

“So it can be baffling when they’re still having a problem with, say, scours or respiratory disease. It’s rarely something

12

major that’s the cause of the problem.

More typically it’s something small that’s been missed or overlooked.

“The good news is that this means that it’s also something that can be easily rectified – often at little or no cost. But it usually takes a pair of fresh eyes so it’s always worth seeking advice if you have a problem that just won’t resolve itself. The devil is often in the detail.”

“Milk temperature and concentration, and consistency and quality in calf milk replacers, are all important if producers are to avoid digestive upsets and ‘stressing’ the calves.

“And making sure that automatic milk feeders are running and calibrated and are well stocked is also essential. It’s all to do with attention to detail.

“Whatever feeding system you’re using – manual or automatic – it should be managed carefully, and the time spent on this is invaluable. It will take far less time than would be required to treat and tend to sick calves.

“And when it comes to calf care, a little TLC will pay dividends.

“Treat them like royalty and pamper and, literally, pander to them – they’ll be happy and healthy and they will thrive.” l

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-interview.indd 12

10-10-19 14:51

Reviva will keep her on her feet Farm-O-San Reviva

CalfOTel® Hybrid Individual and group housing in one A LEADING INNOVATION IN CALF HOUSING! • Optimum housing from day one to three months • Focus on hygiene, health, and reducing labour • Easy to clean and disinfect • Makes work easy, thanks to the movable flap and modular fencing • Delivers 30% efficiency savings in labour

Visit our new webshop! www.calfotel.com/hybrid

The orange energy boost for recovery after calving

Farm-O-San Reviva is an easily digestible, highly palatable energy drink for freshly calved cows, that should be given immediately after calving.

It helps the cow to rehydrate rapidly after calving.

Farm-O-San Reviva increases the cow’s activity and forage intake.

Visit farmosan.co.uk/healthytransition for your FREE Energy Pack.

farmosan.co.uk/reviva

Supplements 2020 March 6 – Forage October 16 – Young stock Interested in one of these topics?

Please contact our accountmanager Hilda van der Wal. Hilda.van.der.wal@crv4all.com

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS01_p13.indd 13

13

16-10-19 09:58

BREATHE EASY

A powerful complex of specific essential oils to protect young ruminants during critical periods

Contact us today on 01845 578125 / animalhealth@cargill.com

PULMATOP_advert_195x126_2019-08.indd 9

14

2019-08-08 16:33:23

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS01_p14.indd 14

16-10-19 10:34

SPONSORED ARTICLE RESILIENCE

Resilience is key to maximise production Robust calves are vital to a disease-free and productive system. And, year-on-year, more producers are seeing fewer cases of pneumonia.

D

uring winter 2018/19, fewer respondents to the annual #Calfmatters survey had to treat calves for pneumonia compared to 2017/18.

“This could be due to the weather – there were several extremely cold snaps during the previous winter,” says Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health’s vet Ailsa Milnes.

“Or it could be due to improvements made on-farm.”

She adds that in 2017/18, 44% of respondents had pneumonia in more than 5% of calves and in 2018/19, 36% of producers surveyed had pneumonia in more than 5% of calves.

“Some of the positive changes include managing colostrum intake, vaccination, and attention to detail around housing,” says Dr Milnes.

More than 400 producers responded to the 2019 survey, organised by the company, sharing information on how they manage the health and welfare of their calves.

“When we reviewed the data, three points really stood out – resilience, robustness and responsiveness,” says Dr Milnes.

• A resilient calf can withstand environmental and health challenges • Attention to detail will produce a robust calf, with early colostrum intake and vaccination ensuring good immunity Figure 1: #Calfmatters survey: How many calves did you treat for pneumonia on your farm during the past year?

10-25%

above 25% below 5 %

5-10 %

• Producers are highly responsive, keen to act on advice, particularly when striving to reduce antibiotic use on-farm in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

“The survey revealed that more than 75% of respondents take time to ensure that calves receive sufficient colostrum in the vital first few hours of life,” Dr Milnes says.

“But only 30% measured colostrum quality.

This figure will hopefully increase in future as more producers invest in equipment to test colostrum quality.”

Antibiotic use In the fight against AMR, vaccination rates are increasing and, in-line with that, antibiotic use is falling. “This could also be due to pressures from RUMA task forces via vets, the Red Tractor scheme or milk buyers,” Dr Milnes says. “Whatever the reason, it is progress, but the goal remains to see vaccination rates increase further.”

When questioned about vaccination, 20% of respondents said, in 2018, that they vaccinate all calves retained/brought onto farm under three months of age. This figures compares with 29% of respondents in 2019’s survey.

A later question asked specifically about antibiotic use and found that just under half of respondents said that their use of antibiotics to treat pneumonia has reduced.

“Prevention is always the preferable approach,” explains Dr Milnes. Vaccination either in young calves, with the intranasal vaccine Bovalto Respi Intranasal, from 10 days of age, or slightly older calves with a vaccine that also contains a bacterial component, such as Bovalto Respi 3, can be particularly helpful for conferring protection against viruses. “Of course, as with humans, antibiotics may not be effective where the primary cause is often viral.

“Avoiding respiratory disease during the calf phase means that they will not suffer the performance knock-back and possible long-term lung damage that could stay with them into adulthood,” she concludes. l

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-partnerBoehringer.indd 15

15

10-10-19 14:46

16

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-photopage.indd 16

15-10-19 15:34

PHOTO SPREAD CALF CARE

Close attention: TLC throughout the rearing period – particularly for young calves – is key to maximising heifer health, welfare, and growth rates. All will help to ensure that replacement costs are kept to a minimum, heifers calve for the first time by 24 months old, and they have a long and productive life in the milking herd.

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-photopage.indd 17

17

15-10-19 15:34

YOUNG STOCK CONTRACT HEIFER REARING

Less pressure,

improved performance What are the benefits of contract heifer rearing? We spoke to a contract heifer rearer, and to a producer who has a long-standing agreement with a local rearer, to find out more.

TEXT RACHAEL PORTER

18

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-contract heifer rearing.indd 18

22-10-19 10:25

R

hidian Glyn is based in mid Wales and has been rearing heifers on contract for a dairy producer since 2014. “I’d just taken on the farm tenancy and needed an enterprise that made use of our land and buildings and I didn’t have the resources to invest in livestock,” says Rhidian, who also works part-time as a ForFarmers’ feed rep.

“I had a flock of sheep, but I wanted to run more livestock on the unit without the capital outlay, so contract heifer rearing suited our set up perfectly.”

Heifers come to Rhidian’s unit at around three months of age – just after weaning. He then rears them on to between 22 and 24 months, when they calve for the first time. They then return to their herd.

“Many herds are expanding and there’s no space for young-stock facilities. And that’s exacerbated by there being more calves born on the dairy unit because the herd size has increased,” he says.

“Capacity is pushed to the limit. So producers are either faced with investing in new calf and young-stock housing, and in the labour required to manage expanding youngstock numbers. Or they can opt to become a flying herd and contract rear their own replacements.”

Ex-dairy producers “I think more and more are seeing contract rearing as an attractive and viable option. And there are more contract rearers around too. Quite a few are ex-dairy producers who’ve sold their milking herds. They have the space, the buildings and the dairy knowledge. It’s a good option,” says Rhidian.

Some herds, of course, are limited due to bovine TB (bTB) restrictions. And there’s also the biosecurity risk when moving stock from one unit to another, albeit young stock. “That’s one reason why I only ever rear heifers from one unit at a time – I only ever have one client.

I’d never rear heifers for two or more herds at the same time,” he says.

He rears the heifers to meet the targets set by his customers and follows their protocols. “For my latest client, I was batch rearing heifers to calve in the spring – it was a spring-block calving herd – at between 24 and 26 months old. And anything that fell out of that block was then sold, freshly calved, to other producers.”

To keep them on track, Rhidian weighs the heifers every six weeks. “We were aiming for a daily live-weight gain of 0.5kg per day during the winter and more than 1kg per day during the spring and summer.”

Natural service was used to get the heifers in calf.

“We had eight bulls per 100 heifers. And they’d run with the heifers once the heifers are between 13 and 14 months old.”

Linked holding Wiltshire-based producer Joe Carter uses a contractor to rear heifers to free up space at his 300-cow unit. “It relieves the pressure on our resources and also allows us to focus on managing the milkers and rearing young calves,” he says. “Older calves – aged between five and six months old – leave the unit to be reared on a farm that’s a linked holding just 10 minutes away. These young stock then get the attention and level of management that they require to calve for the first time by 24 months.”

Joe runs the all-year-round calving herd, which is

Joe Carter: “Rearing heifers on a linked holding has allowed us to expand our milking herd” currently averaging 11,000 litres at 3.9% butterfat and 3.3% protein, in partnership with his parents, Irving and Carolyne Carter, near Chippenham and the herd has expanded – doubling in size from 160 milkers in 2009.

“Twice as many cows means twice as many calves,” he adds. “So we have more replacement heifers, currently 210 head, and space is at a premium – both in the buildings and in terms of land for silaging, growing forage crops and spreading manure. Using a contract rearer was a natural progression for us 10 years ago and it’s working well.”

Indeed, ex dairy producer Richard Francombe has been rearing the Carter’s heifers since 2009 and has also recently extended his housing to accommodate more cattle.

The Carters rear calves to between five and six months of age before the heifers take the short trip down the road to Richard’s unit. They stay here for around 12 months, returning once they PD in calf at between 14 and 15 months old. “We’re now calving heifers at between 22 and 24 months old – a vast improvement on 2009’s performance,” says Joe, who’s unit is also an AHDB Dairy Strategic Farm.

Better shape “Back then we calved heifers at between 27 and 28 months. So we’ve shaved four months off that figure and we also think the heifers are in better shape and perform better when they do calve,” Joe says. “It’s a win-win.

The investment in Richard’s services is easily justified when we factor in the costs we’d have to incur should we rear and manage more young stock ourselves – such as renting more land, erecting additional buildings, employing more labour.

“We’ve hit on a formula that works well for us and we even got around the potential bTB pitfall, which has allowed us to expand.

“Richard’s unit is linked to ours and he only rears stock for us. So even when we’re closed down – which we regularly are – due to bTB, we can still move stock between the two units.”

And Joe says that using a contract rearer has underlined the importance of good heifer rearing management – and the fact that it is a specialist job.

“Richard’s sole focus is the heifers – he has no other livestock, other than a few horses. And he has time to spot them in heat, when they reach between 12 and 13 months old.

“He then calls us and my dad goes to the farm to AI the bulling heifers with sexed semen. It’s an arrangement that works well. And the proof is in the vastly improved age at first calving and the quality of the heifers that are now entering the herd.” l

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-contract heifer rearing.indd 19

19

22-10-19 10:25

INSPIRING FARMER GOLD-STANDARD CALF REARING

Name: Hannah Rogers Position: Calf-rearing manager Location: North Yorkshire Calf-unit size: Capacity for 350 head Herd size: 1,300 milkers

“Keep stress to a

minimum”

A passion for calf rearing is something that Hannah Rogers shares with the members of the dedicated calf-rearing team at the 2018 NMR/RABDF Gold Cup winning North Yorkshire-based Metcalfe Farms. In fact, the entire management team at the 1,300-cow unit understand the importance of adhering to the strict protocols, which are draw up and regularly reviewed by calf rearing manager Hannah and her team.

“All new-born calves are fed enough good quality colostrum within the first six hours of life. And milk feeding, hygiene and management routines are maintained to maximise to ensure high standards of calf health and good growth rates. It’s so important to keep disease and stress to an absolute minimum.”

In-built commitment

Hannah has been calf rearing manager at the unit for the past three years, after she was approached by Philip Metcalfe to take on and develop the role. He saw her aptitude for paying close attention to detail, and to managing and working within a team. And, of course, she has in-built commitment to getting calves off to the best possible start – and firmly on track to calve for the first time at no more than 24 months of age.

Flourishing future milkers

At least 30 heifers are born each month.

There are typically around 250 calves – from new born through to just three months old – to manage at any one time.

“So it’s pretty intense and a full-time job for the three of us,” says Hannah.

“But it’s a job that myself, Gayle Robinson and Phoebe Glover really relish. It’s extremely rewarding to know that we’re integral to ensuring that the herd’s future milkers really flourish from day one and that we put them on track for a healthy, long and productive life in the herd.”

20

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-inspiring farmer.indd 20

10-10-19 15:41

ets

mers

UK Supplier of Calf Jackets Tried, tested and produced by a farmer for farmers

Calf Jackets With the use of calf jackets you can make significant savings on feed, medication and bedding costs, by better conversion of energy to growth rather than warmth and reduce the risk of pneumonia and scours from chills and draughts.

res

Optimum protection at low temperatures • Breathable and water repellent • High quality for long life

es C

• Easy to use • Machine washable at 50 degrees C • Available in two sizes

unds) ounds) pounds) ounds)

• One chest closer, two adjustable leg straps Material: Outer shell 600D Oxford, 200g filling, 210D lining.

ed or Blue)

Price: £20.00+VAT. P&P £3.50. Free on orders over £100 to mainland UK

Tel: 01308 868 337 Mob: 07973 444 140 Email: mandy@cosycalf.co.uk | www.cosycalf.co.uk

CMYS01_p21.indd 21

14-10-19 11:01

CALF-REARING PRE-WEANING

Dispelling calf-rearing myths with facts Advice on calf nutrition can often be contradictory, leaving producers feeding confused about the best feeding regimes. We report on a meeting that set out to dispel some of these myths and offer evidence of the effect of pre-weaning management on post-weaning performance of dairy calves.

TEXT KAREN WRIGHT

T

he importance of feeding quality calf milk replacer was impressed on delegates at a recent one-day seminar, organised by Cargill Animal Nutrition and Denkavit. “And it must be consistent,” said Denkavit’s Gert van Trierum.

“There’s no second best when it comes to the quality of raw ingredients,” he said. “Many calf milk replacers that get on to farm are simply not up to standard.”

Quality control of raw materials is vital. “We’re testing for contamination, physical deviations and that the ingredients are not overheated and denatured,” he explained.

“Only when we’re 100% satisfied will we give the ingredients the ‘green light’ and start manufacturing our milk replacers.”

Nutritional trials Specialists in young animal nutrition, the company uses testing facilities in The Netherlands where it carries out eight major calf nutrition trials a year.

Work is ongoing in investigating the digestibility – and so suitability – of alternative raw materials as protein and energy sources. And the company is also looking at different types of calf milk replacers (CMRs) and feeding regimes to maximise calf performance and health.

Trials have compared differences in crude protein levels in CMRs. A 24% protein milk replacer was found to have 35% indigestible protein, compared

Gert van Trierum: “The abomasum has a limited capacity, and any overflow can cause scours” 22

with a 22% crude protein replacer that had 15% indigestible protein.

“Producers may be tempted to go for a higher protein CMR, but this may not be a wise investment,” said Mr van Trierum. “Less maybe more and it pays to look beyond the label. It is all about the quality, digestibility and usability of nutrients.”

CMR type Denkavit has also carried out trials with dairy and beef calves to compare the performance skim-based CMR and whey-based; the most recent being with two groups of 30 Belgian Blue calves – both CMRs contained 23% crude protein and 17% fat content.

“Results showed no significant difference in performance in feed intake or daily growth. The potential for growth is the same, regardless of the type of CMR fed. Any difference seen in performance is more likely to be down to the quality of raw materials used in the CMR and the feeding regime,” he added. He also pointed out that calf performance can be affected by feeding regime and volumes fed.

Rumen checks were carried out on two groups of 24 calves where one group was fed two litres of CMR and the other three litres of CMR, twice a day from birth to 10 days old. Calves fed on three litres recorded a much higher frequency of scours.

He also highlighted the frequency with which milk is found in the rumen of dairy calves, a situation that shouldn’t happen.

“Milk replacer overflowing into the rumen is far more common than producers realise and it is estimated that in many cases, during the first 10 days of life, between 10% and 20% of a milk meal ends up in the rumen.

“The abomasum has a limited capacity, and any overflow can cause scours, delay rumen development, and potentially set back performance. Producers should avoid feeding high volumes of CMR in

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-calf rearing.indd 22

15-10-19 14:32

single feeds. In nature, calves drink little and often throughout the day. This is the best way to maintain good calf health.”

Trials also compared groups of calves on ad-lib and restricted CMR and recorded that, as expected, calves on ad-lib CMR had lower concentre intakes. But at 12 weeks old high growth rates were recorded in both groups.

And calves with higher concentrate feed intakes showed better feed efficiency.

“So ad-lib feeding is an option but not a necessity,” he added. “And where ad-lib milk is available, the risk of a weaning check is higher.”

Calf-rearing facts

Beyond weaning

Starter feed, both pre and post weaning, has a key role to play, alongside high standards of calf management and health protocols.”

The latest data from Cargill’s Ohio-based Nurture Research Centre shows that calves fed on higher rates of CMR had marginally better growth rates by four months old, but poorer structural growth.

Table 1 shows that although the growth rates of calves fed on high levels of CMR are considerably better at weaning, this advantage diminishes post weaning.

“And what we can see is that calves fed on moderate

Producers should look beyond weaning to see the true impact of starter feeds on performance, and to find the feeding regime that best meets their goals. So said Cargill’s young-stock specialist Bianca Theeruth, who pointed to research that shows that pre-weaning nutrition accounted for less than 3% of the variation in first-lactation milk yield performance.

“And it’s a myth that more milk replacer leads to more milk production. It’s not just milk replacer that contributes to achieving target growth rates.

• Quality and consistent raw ingredients in CMRs are vital • Crude protein percentage – more may not be better • There is no difference in performance in skim and whey based CMRs • Feeding high volumes of CMR at once should be avoided • Higher CMR intakes leads to lower concentrate intakes • Ad-lib feeding is a choice, not a necessity.

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-calf rearing.indd 23

23

15-10-19 14:32

CALF-REARING PRE-WEANING

moderate (0.7kg/ high (0.9kg/day of highest (1.1kg/day of day of 28:17 CMR)* 26:17 or 28:20 CMR)* 26:17 CMR)* 0-2 months average daily gain (kg/day) hip height gain (cm) hip width gain (cm) 2-4 months average daily gain (kg/day) hip height gain (cm) hip width gain (cm) overall 0-4 months average daily gain (kg/day) hip height gain (cm) hip width gain (cm)

0.59 10.4 4.3

0.63 10.9 4.6

0.72 10.9 4.1

1.05 11.2 5.3

1.01 10.7 5.1

1.00 10.4 4.8

0.82 21.6 9.7

0.82 21.6 9.4

0.86 21.6 8.4

* 28:17 means 28% protein and 17% oil

Table 1: Heifer calf performance on varying CMR feeding rates

or high – as opposed to very high rates – of milk replacer had better height and hip growth post weaning. This advantage is reflected in the overall results from birth to four months old.”

Skeletal growth is particularly important in heifer calves that are to be served at 15 months, to achieve 24-month-old calving.

Further research shows that organic matter digestion and acid detergent fibre (ADF) digestion are reduced

Bianca Theeruth: “It’s not just milk replacer that contributes to achieving target growth rates” 24

around weaning in calves that are fed higher volumes of milk replacer.

The trial compared calves fed 900g of milk replacer a day with those fed more moderate amounts of 660g a day. And it found that starter intakes in calves fed more than 660g were depressed.

“Milk replacer enters the abomasum, whereas starter feed is digested in the rumen. Calves fed higher rates of CMR have lower starter feed intakes and will, therefore, encounter reduced rumen activity and, therefore, rumen development compared to calves with higher starter feed intakes,” she said.

Starch, which comes from starter feed, encourages rumen development. Cargill trials have shown that starter diets that include a higher starch level – a textured coarse mix or muesli type feed containing whole grains – can achieve better rumen development and body weights compared with low-starch content starter feeds, in this case a pelleted starter feed.

Improved growth Further work showed that feeding a starter and grower feed from birth to 16 weeks, with 38% starch on a dry matter basis compared with 20% starch on a dry matter basis, resulted in a 6% improvement in daily weight gain up to eight weeks old and then a 10% improvement from eight weeks to 16 weeks.

“Overall these calves fed on a higher starch diet were 7kg heavier at 16 weeks old with a 10mm improvement in hip width. Finding the balance of milk replacer and starter feed intakes is important.

But this will be more cost effective and efficient than feeding larger volumes of milk replacer,” added Ms Theeruth.

“It will also better prepare the calf for weaning and prevent any checks in performance.” l

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-calf rearing.indd 24

15-10-19 14:32

CMYS01_p25.indd 25

22-10-19 11:34

Know your calves, know your future business Unlock your herd’s true potential Use GeneTracker to build a healthier and more profitable herd •

Breed the next generation from your best heifers and cows

•

Returning your investment through powerful reporting and analytics

•

Independent multi-breed genomic testing service

Smart Decisions Fewer Guesses

Clarifide and the Clarifide Logo are registered trademarks of Zoetis Services LLC.

@NMRGroup NationalMilkRecords

CMYS01_p26.indd 26

03330 043 043

customerservices@nmr.co.uk www.nmr.co.uk

11-10-19 09:53

SPONSORED ARTICLE COLOSTRUM

Support calf health and reduce costs A colostrum management system has standardised colostrum feeding on one 300-cow unit, boosting calf health and reducing costs.

B

ack in 2016, Salesian College’s principal Derek O’Donoghue recognised that relying on the calf suckling the dam to receive adequate colostrum was not delivering the desired results. “Even without blood testing, the symptoms we had told us that calves were not getting enough good quality colostrum.

We had calves with cryptosporidiosis and viral pneumonia,” he recalls. “They were getting off to a bad start and we were generating work for the vets, as well as additional stress for ourselves.”

Mortality rates for calves from the 300-cow spring-block calving herd were higher than desirable, so the college introduced a number of management strategies, including a revised approach to colostrum feeding. The team now ensures that every calf receives four litres of colostrum within 45 minutes of birth. And, in order to achieve this, Mr O’Donoghue believes that investing in a Store & Thaw colostrum management system has been crucial.

“To get colostrum into the calf quickly, you need a system in place to store, heat and administer it. This system facilitates colostrum management,” he explains.

Store & Thaw is a water-bath system that can be heated to varying temperatures. Bags of colostrum are put into two metal cages and submerged in the bath where they can be heated to the desired temperature. This can be used to evenly defrost colostrum

at between 40ºC and 45ºC, which avoids damaging the immunoglobulins. Water circulation around the cages also speeds up the process. The system can also be used to warm colostrum to feeding temperature.

Mr O’Donoghue believes that improvements in calf health have been considerable. After just one year on the colostrum system, the team also had the confidence to stop using a preventative treatment for cryptosporidiosis called Halocur. There have been no cases of cryptosporidium seen in calves and just a few calves have developed pneumonia.

Reduced costs “We’re not treating calves now. Before we would have lost calves, despite treatment.

We would have had calf mortalities at between two and three weeks of age due to cryptosporidium. We were treating them with Halocur and using a lot of electrolytes.

We’re using a minimal amount now.”

He adds that vet costs have also reduced by between 10% and 15%, and heifers are also now reaching their full potential. Overall, he believes that Store & Thaw is key to their success.

“It’s the best thing since the quad bike, which just makes life easier. The Store and Thaw reduces the labour requirement. It creates some work in collecting colostrum, but it’s reducing cost and work later on – as well as preventing calf mortalities. And it’s inexpensive to put in place.” l

Colostrum protocols • Colostrum collected in individual bucket at first milking • Put in four-litre bags and labelled with dam information. Previous colostrum testing has given the team confidence that supplies are good • Put in colostrum fridge • When cow starts to calve, colostrum bag taken from fridge and warmed in Store & Thaw – the process takes less than 15 minutes • Warmed colostrum put in a plastic bottle and used to tube calves • Colostrum is between 31ºC and 32ºC at feeding.

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-PyonPartner.indd 27

27

15-10-19 15:34

CALF-REARING HEIFER FERTILITY

Tips to maximise heifer fertility Good heifer fertility is key to meeting the target age at first calving of 24 months. So how can producers maximise fertility and what are the problems and pitfalls that they should be looking out for if they want to keep heifer performance on track?

TEXT RACHEL QUEENBOROUGH

M

onitoring heifer growth rates right up to service – at between 13 and 15 months of age – is vital to achieve the age-at-first-calving target of 24 months old. “Measuring growth allows producers to identify and rectifying any weaknesses in the heifer rearing chain,” explains Devon-based vet Piers Pepperell, from Mount Vets.

“Maximising heifer fertility hinges on them reaching

28

target liveweight for breeding. And disease, parasite infections, and inadequate nutrition can all prevent this and impact on their ability to get in calf.”

Different breeds will vary in weight at 13 months old, but heifers need to be 55% of their adult weight at service and calve for the first time at between 85% and 90% of their second-calving weight.

“To achieve this, calves need to have doubled their

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-HeiferFertility.indd 28

10-10-19 15:33

birthweight by weaning, and then be growing at a rate of between 0.7kg and 0.8kg per day in order to be bred at between 13 and 15 months of age,” says Mr Pepperell. “This will keep them on track to calve at between 22 and 24 months old.”

It’s important to know how quickly heifers are growing. So monitoring growth rates is key, ideally on a monthly basis. This allows you to home in on the periods of the growth calendar that need attention.

“There’s no need to splash out on digital weigh scales.

Weigh bands are freely available from vets and pharmaceutical companies.

“Wither height is another measurement that can be useful. Mark on the race or wall and watch them as they walk through,” adds Mr Pepperell.

He adds that calves, although older and stronger, will still be prone to sub-clinical levels of pneumonia.

Implementing a vaccination strategy will protect them from disease and also protect their growth rates.

“Where heifers are grazed, monitor for parasite infections – particularly lungworm and gut worms.

After between two and three months out grazing, take dung samples to your vet for analysis, so that anthelmintic treatments can be prescribed, if needed.

“Also, avoid grazing young stock on wet marshy ‘flukey’ ground. If it’s unavoidable, have a liver fluke control plan: the liver is a ‘powerhouse’ for growth, and fluke infections will slow heifer growth.”

Fertility performance can be depressed, even if they reach target weight, by contagious diseases BVD, IBR and leptospirosis.

“Heifers are most likely to be naïve to these diseases and, therefore at greater risk,” explains Mr Pepperell.

“IBR raises body temperature and reduces egg quality; the BVD virus causes abortions and its presence depresses the immune system, makes animals more susceptible to other diseases, and depresses growth; leptospirosis reduces fertility and causes abortions.

Good immunity “When vaccinating heifers against diseases, ensure that the primary treatment courses have been completed four weeks prior to the start of service, so there’s time for protective cover to develop,” he stresses. “Lameness, whatever the cause, will also depress fertility because the animal will be uncomfortable and eating less. It also discourages animals from showing heat. In heifer groups, digital dermatitis can sometimes be a problem and a footbathing regime will need to be instigated.”

Management and nutrition are also key to optimising fertility. “Poor nutrition will limit heifer growth rates.

So if housed, ensure that there is sufficient feed space at the trough,” says Mr Pepperell. “If heifers are grazed, concentrates should be fed to support the required daily liveweight gains. In both situations, animals must have access to clean water at all times.”

He adds that if producers wait until they expect heifers to be bulling then they have waited too long.

“Look at heifer liveweights, or wither heights, at 12 months old, and see if changes to the feeding are required. And be aware that heifers need to be on a rising plane of nutrition three weeks before and six weeks after service to ensure good egg quality and

Piers Pepperell: “During the weeks leading up to breeding, and immediately after, producers should minimise heifers’ exposure to stress” implantation. Once heifers have reached average liveweights of 350kg, increase the energy level in the feed to ‘pump them up’.”

Observe heats The management of breeding heifers will differ from that of cows in the milking herd. “For a start, heifers are usually run separately from the main herd, so it’s important to make the time to observe them for heats,” says Mr Pepperell.

“Heat detection aids can be useful here, although heifers will often interfere with tailhead-based systems. Heat detection service operators can be employed to check the heifers as well as the milking cows. And synchronisation programmes are also good value and will ensure that heifers come into heat and are served at the optimum time.

“But be aware that not only are heifers smaller in size than cows, so are the womb and cervix. So it can be harder to achieve successful conception using AI, and inseminators need to be confident and experienced with heifers,” he adds.

“If using a bull, ensure that it has had a bull breeding soundness examination before being run with the heifer group. And also check that he is fully vaccinated against the same contagious diseases as they are. Also remember that if a bull becomes ill with a temperature then he will be infertile for between six and eight weeks. This can significantly delay conception and age at first calving.

Mr Pepperell adds that during the weeks leading up to breeding, and immediately after, producers should minimise heifers’ exposure to stress: “Where possible, re-organise stressful events, such as TB testing, to avoid this period. In a 2015 survey of 75 Welsh herds, coordinated by the Dairy Development Centre at Gelli Aur, heifers were served on average two months later than their intended first service age. “Yet heifers were consistently well above target minimum heights and weights at service,” says Mr Pepperell.

“So these herds could have reduced the age at first calving simply by serving earlier. This highlights just how important it is to be monitoring growth rates and measuring liveweights.” l

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-HeiferFertility.indd 29

29

10-10-19 15:34

If it doesn’t have Volac on the bag...

...it doesn’t have

inside

Volac take locally produced whey and produce a super concentrated . bio-active milk complex, that we call It’s that forms the core goodness of our calf milk formula.

By gently retaining all the key nutrients of milk and adding carefully selected supplements we have created our Lifeguard range of calf milk formulas, to ensure perfect performance from your calves.

Nobody produces calf milk formula quite like Volac

feedforgrowth.com Experts in young animal nutrition Volac International Limited Volac House, Orwell, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 5QX, United Kingdom T +44 (0)1223 208 021 F +44 (0)1223 207 629 enquire@volac.com www.volac.com Copyright © 2019 Volac International Ltd. All rights reserved.

01826 CMR Ad Cow Management 297x230mm October.indd 1 CMYS01_p30.indd 30

15/10/2019 12:31 16-10-19 09:38

YOUNG STOCKNEWS

Follow six-step hygiene routine to keep equipment clean To meet target daily growth rates consistently during the pre-weaning period, calf rearers are being urged to implement a rigorous, six-step routine to ensure that milk feeding equipment and utensils remain clean and hygienic and, importantly, free from biofilms.

“Many calf rearers are not aware that commonly-used feeding equipment – including teats, buckets and whisks – can easily harbour invisible biofilms,” says Volac’s Abi Fisher. “When milk residues, such as fat and protein, are left on a surface, bacteria can bind to them and multiply quickly. And this leads to colostrum or milk becoming contaminated.”

Consequently, to ensure all feeding equipment is kept as clean as possible, the company recommends a six-step routine to prevent biofilm development.

Rinse with lukewarm water, between 32°C and 38°C. Do not use hot water because this allows milk proteins and fats to stick more

tightly to feeding equipment surfaces. Aim to reduce all dirt and milk residue.

Soak in hot water, between 54°C and 57°C. Use hot water for soaking and add a chlorinated alkaline detergent. Soak for at least 20 minutes.

Scrub to remove any remaining residues from feeding equipment using a brush to loosen any solids.

Re-wash all feeding equipment in hot water (at least 49°C) to remove any remaining residues.

Rinse again, inside and out, using an acid sanitiser. This lowers the surface pH and makes it difficult for any remaining bacteria to thrive.

And dry equipment thoroughly, preferably on racks. Avoid stacking buckets inside each other and never sit feeding equipment upside down on a concrete floor, because this will provide bacteria with the perfect environment to multiply.

Feed additive supports immune and respiratory systems A feed additive that can support the immune and respiratory systems of ruminants, particularly young animals, during critical periods in their development, has been launched by Cargill.

Pulmatop includes a carefully balanced mixture of powerful antioxidants, such as polyphenols, organic selenium and rumenprotected vitamin C, which support the immune system.

It also includes plant-based essential oils,

which support the respiratory system, and clay minerals, which encourage digestive function and provide intestinal protection.

“The components in the additive have a synergistic effect, working together to stimulate vitality in young animals during critical times, such as weaning,” says the company’s young stock specialist Bianca Theeruth.

“It will support the immune and respiratory systems when conditions are less than ideal, such as when they move to new groups, or

housing changes, or if temperatures fluctuate.

“Calves are their most vulnerable when conditions are more challenging and the inclusion of Pulmatop can help to nurture them through this critical phase,” she adds.

Either included as a routine or added ahead of a known critical period, such as weaning, the additive can be used as a top dressing on feed or included in starter pellets or coarse mixes.

Refractometer added to calf-rearing range A reliable and objective measure of the immunoglobulin/antibody content of colostrum has been launched by Dairy Spares.

The Brix refractometer determines whether colostrum is of a suitable quality for a first feed to new-born calves, as well as for freezing for future use.

Simple and convenient to use, a small sample of colostrum is placed onto the slide area and the refractometer can then be held up to natural light for a reading to be taken.

A Brix reading of 22% correlates to 50g per litre of immunoglobulins/antibodies – the minimum quality of colostrum required.

A 40-kilogramme calf will require four litres of

this colostrum within the first four hours of life.

Unlike colostrometer readings, which are based on the measurement of specific gravity, refractometer readings are based on light refraction and are, therefore, unaffected by temperature, frothiness, or the total solids content of the colostrum.

Brix refractometers require calibrating with distilled water before use and after use the slide needs to be cleaned with a clean cloth, before the refractometer is returned to its box. With its simple compact design, a refractometer is not only robust for on-farm use, but also much easier to use and clean than a colostrometer.

The refractometer retails at £32.99 plus VAT.

cowmanagement YOUNG STOCK NOVEMBER 2019

CMYS-news page.indd 31

31

15-10-19 13:37

SenseHubTM Youngstock

FOR DAIRY CALVES IS BORN

MAXIMIZE THE POTENTIAL VALUE OF YOUNGSTOCK WHILE REDUCING RISKS AND COSTS. • Increase longevity

• Reduce health treatments

• Maximise the growth curve

• Improve profitability

www.allflex.global/uk 01207 529 000

GC_1235__SHYoungstock_Advert_UK.indd 1 CMYS01_p32.indd 32

01/10/2019 12:31 11-10-19 10:18