Calves

Question 1

name 6 ways to achieve profitable targets with calves

Answer 1

1. give calves best start possible
2. reduce calf disease incidence
3. reduce calf mortality
4. maximise heifer growth potential
5. optimise timing of first calving
6. optimise lifetime yield

Question 2

name 3 important aspects of dry cow management

Answer 2

1. vaccines (for colostral Abs)
2. clean & adequate accommodation
3. specially formulated rations

Question 3

name the 3 Qs of colostrum management

Answer 3

1. quality
2. quantitiy
3. quickly

Question 4

what is the primary colostral antibody?

Answer 4

IgG

Question 5

at least how much IgG does good quality colostrum contain?

Answer 5

50 g/L

Question 6

name 2 cheap and easy ways to assess colostrum quality on farm

Answer 6

1. colostrometer
2. brix refractometer

Question 7

what temperature must colostrum be to be tested with a colostrometer

Answer 7

room temperature

Question 8

above what percent Brix refractometry is considered acceptable colostrum quality (=50g/L of Abs)

Answer 8

22%

Question 9

how long can colostrum be stored at 4 degrees celsius (refrigerated)

Answer 9

24-48 hours

Question 10

how long can colostrum be stored at -20 degrees celsius (frozen)

Answer 10

1 year

Question 11

how long can colostrum be stored with Potassim sorbate

Answer 11

2-5 days

Question 12

how many grams of IgG to calves require?

Answer 12

300g

Question 13

how many liters of good quality colostrum to calves require

Answer 13

6 liters

Question 13

what is the “4th Q” of colostrum

Answer 13

quietly

(stress incr. amount of Abs needed)

Question 14

name 3 ways that bacterial contamination of colostrum can reduce IgG absorption in calves

Answer 14

1. damaging intestinal cells (reduces permeability & accelerates gut closure)
2. binding to IgG blocking their uptake
3. physically blocking absorption channels

Question 15

how much colostrum should a calf be given by 6 hours?

Answer 15

10% bodyweight
(4-5L)

Question 16

how much colostrum should a calf be given by 12 hours?

Answer 16

5% bodyweight
(2-2.5L)

Question 17

name the 3 options to give a calf colostrum

Answer 17

1. allow calf to suckle mother
2. oesophageal feeder
3. bottle and teat

Question 18

what is the gold standard method for measuring colostrum success

Answer 18

radial immunodiffusion

(direct method - IgG)

Question 19

what is the legal requirement for number of feeds per day for calves <28 days

Answer 19

2 milk feeds per day

Question 20

ideally how much whole milk or milk replacer should be fed to a calf

Answer 20

15-20% of calf bodyweight

Question 21

at what age must fibrous food be available to the calf?

Answer 21

2 weeks

Question 22

how much crude protein should a milk replacer contain to achieve optimal growth in a calf

Answer 22

20-26% crude protein

Question 23

how much fat should a milk replacer contain to achieve optimal growth in a calf

Answer 23

18-20% fat

Question 24

how much extra milk replacer or whole milk should be fed per day to a calf for each 5 degree drop under the LCT (lower critical temp)

Answer 24

50g milk replacer
0.33L whole milk

Question 25

what is the LCT (lower critical temp) for calves less than 3 weeks of age

Answer 25

10-15 degrees C

Question 26

what is the LCT (lower critical temp) for calves over 3 weeks of age

Answer 26

5-10 degrees celsius

Question 27

what 3 things should be available to a calf from birth to aid in rumen development

Answer 27

1. water
2. forage
3. concentrate

Question 28

what should the timing of weaning be based on in a calf

Answer 28

concentrate consumption

(NOT age of calf)

Question 29

what are the 2 key syndromes in calves pre-weaning?

Answer 29

1. diarrhoea
2. respiratory disease

Question 30

this is the term given to calves who have insufficient closure of the reticular groove

Answer 30

rumen drinkers

Question 31

what is the rule of thumb for calf weight by 8 weeks

Answer 31

calves should double their birth weight by 8 weeks