Doubling calf weights by weaning Brian Keunen, B.Sc(Agr.) M.Sc. Mapleview Agri Ltd. 519-577-3730
Doubling calf weights by weaning Factors that affect calf growth NRC numbers Practical plan Real research data
Factors that affect calf growth Colostrum Disease Environment Nutrition
Colostrum - early National Dairy Heifer Evaluation Project. USDA:APHIS:VS. Survey represents 1,811 farms in 28 states with 2,177 heifers sampled between 24 and 48 hours after birth.
Colostrum absorption Figure 2. Effect of age of calf on the percent absorption of immunoglobulin through the calf intestine. 1 Animal Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published September 2001, reviewed August 2008.
Environment What does the calf need? – Clean – Dry & well bedded – Draft free – Clean fresh air
Reducing effect of disease How can we prevent or reduce effect of the different diseases Vaccinating cows Vaccinate calves Early colostrum Clean, clean, clean - calving pens, pens, feeding equipment, & etc.
Bacteria counts on farms On farm tests: 50 Under 5,000: 15 Under 50,000: 21 Under 1,000,000: 31 Over 1,000,000: 19
Nutrition Calories Protein Environment
NRC - Theoretical growth Assumptions: Calf born at 90lbs Weaned by 8 weeks Using a 26-26-17
Average calf requirements
Average calf requirements
Calf requirements – L/day @ 125 g/L
Calf requirements – L/day @ 125 g/L
Calf requirements – litres per day
Calf requirements – litres per day
Practical feeding plan
Practical feeding plan
Practical Feeding Plan Week 1 - 6.25 L/day - using a bottle Week 2 - 7.5 L/day - 2 or 3 feedings Weeks 3,4,5 - 9.0 L/day - 2 or 3 feedings Week 6 - 6.0 L/day - 2 feedings Week 7 - 3.0 L/day - 1 feeding Week 8 - 2.0 L/day - 1 feeding
Research Facility Calf research facility built in 2015 Capacity for 320 head New trial every 3 weeks Each room has capacity for 80 calves; 40 test & 40 control Calves are individually housed for 4 weeks and in groups of 5 for 7 weeks
Research Facility
Research Facility: Feeding Milk
Feeding level trial Milk Volume Trial – Preliminary Results Mapleview Sure Start + Deccox: Summer Trial 750g 1000g Weight at 11 weeks 251 lbs 275 lbs ADG lbs / day 1.87 2.17 Milk powder consumed 29.75 kg 37.3 kg Total grain consumption 137 lbs 158 lbs
Feeding level trial: calf weights
Feeding level trial: grain consumption
Feeding level trial: update At 20 Weeks: Gain since last weighing (at 11 weeks) – High Rate (1000g) gained 3.7lbs more than Low Rate (750g) calves – Feed consumption was not measured ADG since last weighing – High Rate Calves 2.43 – Low Rate Calves 2.38
Trial conclusions Calves need 1000 g/day of milk replacer or more in summer to double weight by weaning 750 g/day will not allow calves to double their weight and they do not eat enough grain to compensate. Calves with a better start continue having an advantage over calves fed lower amount of milk.
Invest in your farm’s future The first 6 months of a calf’s life determines the success of the next 2-10 years of your farm. Invest in your farm’s future!
Questions Email: brian@mapleviewagri.ca Copy of this presentation can be found at: www.mapleviewagri.ca
Energy in different milk replacers
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