The Importance of a calf’s first meal
Colostrum is the first milk produced after a cow gives birth; it is a nutrient dense, immunoglobulin rich milk designed for the newborn calf. Delivering that milk with care is the key to ensuring that a calf’s immune system (immature at birth) starts to develop. Making certain that this first immunological base is provided to young calves in a timely fashion will have a critical impact on the defense against health challenges common to young animals..
During the past 2… Continue reading
Colostrum: The Most Important Meal
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Newborn animals are vulnerable to infection and disease. Immunoglobulins (Ig’s) are the first defence against disease and necessary for stimulation of the immune system.
Young ruminants (calves, lambs, kids) are born with negligible circulating concentrations of immunoglobulins (antibodies). Ig’s do not pass across the placenta prior to birth. Since there is no maternal sharing, ensuring that calves receive these Ig’s at birth is the only way to protect a newborn from environmental and disease… Continue reading
Calf-Energy Balance and Immune Competence
Calves reared for veal are usually transported from the dairy farm to the rearing unit during the first 2 weeks of life. The vigour of calves after arrival at the rearing unit is dependent on:
- Their vitality before leaving the dairy farm (colostrum quality and quantity, timing and hygiene)
- Duration and nature of the transfer (climatic stresses, deprivation of milk and water, handling, noise)
- Changes in environmental conditions (mixing calves, high infection risk, change in housing system, climate, feeding level… Continue reading
Calf Post Weaning Environment
Grouping
After weaning, calves should be housed in equal sized / aged groups, ideally one week after milk feeding has ceased. This avoids two major changes in routine at one time. Group calves according to size.
Weaning from a machine feeding system is normally reached earlier (as early as week 5) and should still be tied to starter intake (min 900g for 3 consecutive days).
Environment
The calf’s environment is very important in ensuring its health. Calf housing should provide… Continue reading
Biosecurity Management
his is the employment of management practices that reduce animal exposure to infectious agents. These management procedures complement efforts to make animals more resistant to infection. A Biosecurity program must be individually tailored to the herd and its specific concerns and goals.
Areas to consider include:
- Entry of new animals,
- Quarantine of new animals,
- Prepurchase vaccination, testing or screening for disease,
- Knowledge of the herd origin for new purchases,
- Minimize feed and water contamination
- Minimize environmental contamination,
- Disinfection procedures,
- Minimize… Continue reading
Infectious Disease Management
Every animal producer needs a disease monitoring and management program. These programs should be monitored with the practicing vet and might consider:
- Which diseases are present,
- Which ones can be minimized or prevented,
- How infections ones are identified and treated,
- What safeguards are in place to minimize disease spread
- Minimize the likelihood of public health problems.
Health problems and their prevention should be central to many of the daily management decisions.
Losses from ongoing infectious problems tend to be insidious.… Continue reading