Comfort your cows, enjoy the results 1
Calf rearing 2
Objective: producing dairy cows Successful rearing young stock is the result of smart and disciplined working. Do the right Calf rearing things, and always do the things right. This means: securing the needs of each calf every day in a cost-effective, fast and easy way. "Dairy cow rearing" would be a better phrase than "young stock rearing". After all, the goal is to produce a dairy cow that is able to give milk optimally for 6 lactations and longer, becomes pregnant quickly and is not prone to getting or causing any health problems or other problems. Source: Young stock signals - Vetvice 3
Individual housing Infections with pathogens pose the greatest threat to young calves. The source of these Calf rearing germs are adult animals and other calves. Hence the importance of separate housing for young calves. Make sure you have 25% more single boxes than you will need at peak times. That will allow you to clean the empty boxes, disinfect them, and let them dry for a week. With 100 lactating cows, you will need at least 12 boxes for spread calving. Empty boxes can be left to dry outside the calf shed or calf place. Source: Young stock signals - Vetvice 4
Requirements for housing Requirements from the calf: • warm with dry, soft litter: Calf rearing • thick pack of straw • good moisture removal • temperature: • wet calf: ≥ 20oC • later: ≥ 15oC • below 10°C: provide the calf with a jacket • cleaned and disinfected • been empty ≥ 7 days • ventilation and no draught • plenty of feed and water • social contact possible Source: Young stock signals - Vetvice 5
Calf rearing The following jobs must be very easy: • providing feed and water • checking the calf • coming close to the calf, handling the calf • scattering litter • cleaning Source: Young stock signals - Vetvice 5
The market demands synthetic calf pens Current Spinder calf pens have many satisfied users, but the market demands boxes that • are easier and better to clean. We looked for a good solution to complement the current calf pen (the 'classic'). • We opted for a product that is not yet widespread used, with distinctive features. • We entered into a contract with Greutink in Lochem. They are selling this pen in their • region only. We are getting it supplied as a Spinder version (cosmetic changes). The dimensions comply with current EU regulations. • 6
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Spinder Arena 91 and Arena 101; Swivelling castors! The frame: Hot-dip galvanized carrier frame, robust. • With four bearing-mounted swivelling castors, strap attachment, two of which • are fitted with brake. 8
Spinder Arena; how much time are the calves allowed in? Housing You may keep the calves in single boxes for up to 8 weeks. Calves older than 8 weeks must be kept in a barn. The barn should meet the following conditions: ● Each calf has a minimum floor area of: 1.5 m2 per calf weighing less than 150 kg, 1.7 m2 per calf weighing 150 to 220 kg, and 1.8 m2 per calf weighing 220 kg or more. ● The floor has a firm, flat and stable surface, is rough and adapted to the weight and size of the calves. ● The animals can lie down, rest, stand up and lick themselves without any problems. Source: www.rvo.nl welfare requirements for calves. 9
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