Calf Winter Management
- Dec 04, 2014
- By Grober Nutrition
- In Canada, USA
The most efficient rate of growth a calf experiences is in the first month of life. Strong growth and good calf health has been linked to improved performance of heifers with a trend toward earlier first breeding and increased milk yields. However, calves are at a disadvantage in the winter months, due to an increase in energy requirements for maintenance of body temperature. If these energy needs are not met, the growth rate of the calf will be compromised, as will the immune system’s ability to ward off disease. Paired with good winter management, an adjusted feeding program for winter that provides adequate nutrients to sustain this increased energy demand, and which will support vigorous growth, will help keep calves healthy and growing all winter long.
When should you adjust your feeding program?
For calves, the thermoneutral zone is that temperature range in which no additional energy is expended in the maintenance of body temperature. Until calves reach 4 weeks of age, this thermoneutral zone is between 10°C and 25°C (50 – 77°F), and from 4 weeks of age until weaning, this zone expands from 0°C to 25°C (32 – 77°F). As the temperature drops further from the calf’s lower critical temperature (the lowest temperature in the thermoneutral zone), more energy is required to maintain body temperature. This results in a diversion of energy and nutrients away from immune function and growth. Adjustments in housing and feeding management should help compensate for these increased requirements.
Best approach for Winter Feeding
One school of thought is to provide extra energy through additional fat. However, dietary changes stemming from single nutrient alterations such as fat, forces the digestive system of the calf to adapt in order to meet these changes- an energy intensive and physiologically demanding challenge. One of the studies conducted previously at the Grober Young Animal Development Center was to assess how calves performed when fed a regular (R) milk replacer (26/18) versus one with extra calories from fat (HF) (26/30); (Figures 1 & 2). There was no difference between intakes of the milk replacer between trial groups. However, grain intake was less throughout the trial for calves on the high fat milk replacer. It is important to note that increasing a calf’s access to grain for extra calories is typically not as efficient as is using milk replacer during this stage of growth (where the digestibility of milk replacer is 97% or greater). Adequate grain intake is not only very important in developing the rumen, it ensures that the transition at weaning is less stressful. Moreover, feed: gain (the measure of how much feed it takes to gain 1 kg of bodyweight) was less in calves consuming regular milk replacer (1.60 R; 1.71 HF). Meaning less R milk replacer was needed to gain the same amount of weight as the HF milk replacer (Figure 2).
Figure 1 Body weight differences in calves fed a regular milk replacer versus a high fat milk replacer | Figure 2 Grain intake for calves on regular milk replacer versus the high fat milk replacer. |
Amount and frequency of feedings
Adjusting a calf’s feeding program to compensate for changes in weather should be done gradually and carefully. Providing extra calories through a balanced diet that they are already accustomed to drinking, should take into account the fact that the increased amount of milk fed should be done so as an extra meal (or two), and not by increasing the size of the meals being fed. Incorporating Acidified Milk Replacer as part of a winter feeding program will help increase the accessibility of calories and nutrients from each meal, allowing more energy to be diverted to where they are needed most. Acidified Milk Replacer provides nutrients that have been partially hydrolyzed, meaning some of the larger proteins have been broken down to smaller sizes that are more readily digestible by the calf. This “facilitated digestion” enables the calf to use less calories for digestion, and divert more of the calories they derive from their feed toward maintaining body temperature, a robust immune system, and steady growth.
Detecting Cold Stress
It is important to be able to notice cold stress in calves, as it is a sign that either their environment is too harsh or their feeding program is insufficient to provide the additional energy needed or both. Some signs of cold stress as presented by Saskatoon Colostrum Co. Ltd:
- Calf may be shivering or have noticeably rapid breathing
- The temperature and colour of excessively cold hooves or muzzle show that blood is being diverted from the extremities
- Decreased body temperature: normal body temperature is at 39°C (102.2°F), cold stress begins at 38°C (100.4°F)
Avoiding Cold Stress
The energy demands for maintenance of the calf can be decreased through winter management practices such as blanketing, keeping the calf and bedding clean and dry, providing adequate straw for nesting, and providing ad libitum warm water. These steps along with an adjusted feeding program will help your calves stay healthy and have strong growth through the winter months.
Grober Nutrition
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