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Doubling calf weights by weaning Brian Keunen, B.Sc(Agr.) M.Sc. - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Doubling calf weights by weaning Brian Keunen, B.Sc(Agr.) M.Sc. - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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
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Factors that affect calf growth
Colostrum Disease Environment Nutrition
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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.
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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.
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Environment
What does the calf need?
– Clean – Dry & well bedded – Draft free – Clean fresh air
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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.
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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
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Nutrition
Calories Protein Environment
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NRC - Theoretical growth
Assumptions: Calf born at 90lbs Weaned by 8 weeks Using a 26-26-17
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Average calf requirements
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Average calf requirements
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Calf requirements – L/day @ 125 g/L
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Calf requirements – L/day @ 125 g/L
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Calf requirements – litres per day
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Calf requirements – litres per day
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Practical feeding plan
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Practical feeding plan
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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
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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
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Research Facility
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Research Facility: Feeding Milk
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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
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Feeding level trial: calf weights
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Feeding level trial: grain consumption
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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
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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.
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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!
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Questions
Email: brian@mapleviewagri.ca
Copy of this presentation can be found at: www.mapleviewagri.ca
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