How good is a calf program?
Four management areas that affect success in calf rearing are; calving area sanitation, colostrum management, housing environment, and nutrition.
Specific risk factors in each area are outlined.
1) Calving Area
Cleanliness of the calving area
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(clean, dry, well-bedded, bedding changed regularly)
Frequency of calving area observation
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(heifers and cows are monitored, dystocia cases are assisted)
Post delivery procedures
Prompt removal of calf from contaminated surroundings
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(calving pen, dirty dam, adult cow manure, and air-borne pathogens)
Navel dipped with 7% tincture of iodine
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(timing, tincture used, redipping as needed)
2) Colostrum management
Colostrum feeding schedule delivers 150g IgG within 12 hours
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(1st feeding ASAP, quantity is related to quality & timing)
Colostrum quality is monitored regularly
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(Colostrometer, 3-gallon rule, IgG estimates are recorded)
Colostrum bacteria content is monitored regularly
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(quantity & species of bacteria, coliform count < 5,000 cfu/ml)
As needed, only colostrum from disease-free cows is fed
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(Johne’s, BVD, salmonella)
As needed, colostrum is chilled and stored properly to preserve quality
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(clean, chilled, bacteria count monitored regularly)
Colostrum is warmed correctly and fed at calf’s body temperature
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(thawing frozen, warming, feeding temperature monitored)
Immunoglobulin (IgG) absorption is monitored regularly
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(written records kept on BSTP values of sampled calves)
Colostral supplements are used properly
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(manufacturer’s mixing instructions followed, given ASAP after birth)
3) Housing environment
Housing minimizes spread of pathogens from calf to calf
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(individual pens or hutches, minimal contact, or small pen size)
Housing minimizes exposure to moisture and manure to keep calves hair coat clean and dry
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(dry bedding, enough bedding, clean bedding, minimizes MUD exposure)
Housing minimizes exposure to airborne pathogens
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(low ammonia levels, minimal exposure to adult cow air)
Housing is free of drafts
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(calves are not hunched up, hair coat on end, shivering)
Housing minimizes passing pathogens from one generation to the next
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(at least one week between calves, cleaned with 160 plus water)
Good biosecurity practices are followed consistently
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(clean clothes, boots, hands; sick calves separated, sick calves cared for last, gloves for sick calves)
4) Nutrition
Free choice clean water is provided for all calves all the time
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
Feeding program provides adequate energy levels
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(energy adjusted to deal with stresses of heat, cold, changing weather, sickness, and for developmental needs)
As needed, waste milk feeding practices minimize bacterial exposure
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(monitor bacteria levels)
Equipment cleaning procedures minimize bacterial exposure
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(feeding equip. scrubbed and allowed to dry between every feeding)
Milk or milk replacer is prepared consistently every feeding
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
(consistent feeding temperature, consistent dry matter content)
Calves are fed at the same time each day, youngest to oldest
Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Poor
Thanks to K. Schoonmaker, “Uncover calf health problems” Dairy Herd Management
