Calf Rearing Husbandry

Question 1

What is a heifer?

Answer 1

A cow up to the birth of the second calf

Question 2

Why rear heifers?

Answer 2

• Replacement of culled cows
• Increase of herd size
• Increase genetic gain
• Improvements of disease control

Question 3

What happens to bull calves?

Answer 3

Home reared for beef or sold onward for growing

Question 4

What is a main issue at birth for calves?

Answer 4

Colostrum

Question 5

What is important regarding milk hygiene for calves?

Answer 5

Good quality milk or milk replacer

Question 6

What should be minimized during weaning to limit growth check?

Answer 6

Stress

Question 7

What should be monitored during the growth phase of calves?

Answer 7

Growth rate and pasture quality

Question 8

What is the adequate body weight (BW) for service?

Answer 8

Adequate body weight is necessary for breeding

Question 9

What is the ideal body condition score (BCS) for calving heifers?

Answer 9

2.5-3.0

Question 10

What are the signs of Stage 1 calving?

Answer 10

• Seeks isolation
• Signs of pain
• Restlessness
• Liquid discharge
• Cervical plug released

Question 11

What occurs during Stage 2 of calving?

Answer 11

Water sac plus calf enters birth canal with forceful contractions

Question 12

What is the duration of Stage 2 calving?

Answer 12

0.5-4 hours

Question 13

What occurs during Stage 3 of calving?

Answer 13

Expulsion of the placenta

Question 14

What is the time frame for placental expulsion?

Answer 14

Occurs within 12 hours

Question 15

When should intervention occur during calving?

Answer 15

• First stage of labour lasts longer than 8 hours
• Water sac visible for 2 hours without progress
• Straining for more than 30 mins with no progress
• Stopped trying to expel calf after 15-20 mins of progress
• Signs of excessive fatigue or calf has swollen tongue

Question 16

What is one of the first steps in intervention during calving?

Answer 16

Prevent uterine infections

Question 17

What should be done to prepare for calving intervention?

Answer 17

• Tie the tail to the side
• Clean around the anus and vulva
• Use gloves and clean hands
• Provide clean and dry bedding

Question 18

What should happen immediately after calf delivery?

Answer 18

Calf should be breathing regularly within 30 seconds

Question 19

How can breathing be stimulated in a newborn calf?

Answer 19

• Straw up the nose
• Vigorously rubbing or massaging the chest
• Cold water therapy

Question 20

What is the first feed requirement for calves?

Answer 20

Legal requirement in the first 6 hours

Question 21

How much colostrum should a calf consume?

Answer 21

> 10% of its bodyweight needs to be consumed

Question 22

What does good quality colostrum contain?

Answer 22

> 50g/L immunoglobulin G

Question 23

How does the quality of colostrum change over time?

Answer 23

Quality declines the longer it is held in the udder

Question 24

What should be done to determine colostrum quality?

Answer 24

Quality should be determined by test (all cows)

Question 25

What is the purpose of blood testing calves?

Answer 25

To indicate colostrum quality and efficacy of delivery

Question 26

What is the legal requirement for milk feeding in calves under 28 days?

Answer 26

Fed 2 liquid meals per day

Question 27

What type of milk should not be fed to calves?

Answer 27

Waste milk due to antibiotic resistance

Question 28

What type of milk should be fed to calves?

Answer 28

Whole milk from healthy and disease-free cows

Question 29

What is the optimal fat percentage for milk powders?

Answer 29

16-20%

Question 30

What is the optimal protein percentage for milk powders?

Answer 30

20-26%

Question 31

What are the main protein sources mentioned?

Answer 31

* Milk-based * Egg-based * Plant-based

Question 32

At what age are calves better able to digest milk-based proteins?

Answer 32

Especially when <3 weeks

Question 33

What types of milk proteins are mentioned?

Answer 33

* Skim milk proteins * Whey milk proteins

Question 34

What is a pro of farmers rearing their own calves?

Answer 34

Don't have to do it and can defer to a specialist

Question 35

What is a con of farmers rearing their own calves?

Answer 35

Costs more than self rearing

Question 36

Name a benefit of knowing the background of heifers.

Answer 36

Known background, genetic value, size of heifer

Question 37

What is a potential risk of not managing your own heifers?

Answer 37

Someone else managing your heifers

Question 38

What are the housing conditions for calves?

Answer 38

* From 12-36 hours * Ad-lib to fresh water * Clean * Sight of other calves * Ventilated * Low humidity * Floor gradient * Not shared with adults * Isolation of sick calves

Question 39

What should be taken care of in calf management?

Answer 39

* Scour * Pneumonia * Vaccination programme

Question 40

What percentage of calves are affected by scour?

Answer 40

30%

Question 41

What percentage of calf deaths are due to scour?

Answer 41

50%

Question 42

What causes nutritional scour?

Answer 42

* Too much milk * Rich milk * Weak milk * Wrong temperature * Lumpy milk

Question 43

What is an example of an infectious scour virus?

Answer 43

Rotavirus

Question 44

What is the recommended action if a calf has scour?

Answer 44

Stop milk feeding for 48 hours

Question 45

What should be done to a calf with scour?

Answer 45

* Quarantine * Rehydrate * Antibiotics * Check colostrum

Question 46

What are the factors contributing to pneumonia in calves?

Answer 46

* Environment * Organisms * Stress

Question 47

Why is colostrum essential for calves?

Answer 47

It is essential for their health

Question 48

What type of bedding is recommended to prevent pneumonia?

Answer 48

Dry bedding

Question 49

What should be avoided to reduce pneumonia risks?

Answer 49

Do not mix groups

Question 50

What is a preventive measure for pneumonia?

Answer 50

Vaccination