dairy production lec 9

Question 1

what is the goal mortality rate

Answer 1

o Raise healthy calves with < 5% mortality.

Question 2

what is the weaning weight

Answer 2

o Wean calves at 65-100kg depending on operation.

Question 3

when does weaning occur

Answer 3

12-14 weeks

Question 4

what is HACCP

Answer 4

o hazard analysis critical control points
o identifies problems and measures to stop them
o relies on knowledge and monitoring

Question 5

what BCS should the dam be in

Answer 5

2.75

Question 6

how should the dam be prepared

Answer 6

• BCS 2.75/5
• parasite control and vaccination
• transition period
o prevent subclinical and clinical milk fever

Question 7

what should the calving environment be and where can diseases occur in the calf

Answer 7

clean, little faeces, dry (out of mud)

• disease through mouth, umbilical and lungs

Question 8

what are the birth management strategies

Answer 8

	Birth Management 
•	observation of calving 
•	difficulties below 15%, still born <5%
•	everything recorded 
•	disinfect umbilical cord

Question 9

how is calf health managed

Answer 9

• need good quality colostrum 10% LW in first 6 HOURS
o is risk associated with feeding colostrum
• quality, quantity, quickly
- passive transfer

Question 10

what is good housing

Answer 10

 Housing Environment
• good housing to decrease disease
• clean, dry, protected, ventilation, isolated from adult cows
• all in all out best

Question 11

how can disease be managed

Answer 11

•	rapid ID and response 
•	high cases= inappropriate management
•	high mortality= inappropriate treatment 
•	vaccination and worming 
o	doesn’t cover everything

Question 12

when can a calf be weaned

Answer 12

• calves have adequate rumen development

Question 13

how can a rumen beome developed adapted to solids

Answer 13

• adapted to solids
o introduce from day 2-3
o high carb- high VFA- rumen papillae grow
- roughage introduced at 1-2 weeks

Question 14

how can early weaning occur successfully

Answer 14

o successful transition to functional rumen
o lower cost feed exists
 not worth it otherwise
 can be at 4-6 weeks
o feed a restricted liquid diet to encourage intake of DM
o 0.8-1kg of concentrate/day
• need to be weaned onto quality pasture with low disease risk
o e.g. johne’s

Question 15

what are the energy and protein requirements for calves

Answer 15

o Rules of thumb for energy requirements of a calf
 Maintenance – 10MJ/50Kg this includes a mild amount of exercise
 Growth – 15MJ/Kg up to 100Kg Live weight

o Protein requirements
 maintenance are minimal
 increase with body weight
o Efficiency of protein gain increases with rate of gain
 Calves at 0 days require approx 24% Crude Protein
 approx 150kg only 16% crude protein