feeding calves

Question 1

calve at

Answer 1

22-24 mo

Question 2

newborn calve

Answer 2

remove calf from dam asap (30-60) min
disinfect navel
feed colostrum
plce calf in housing and wean at 8 weeks

Question 3

5 c’s of successful calf rearing

Answer 3

colostrum
calories
comfort
cleanliness
consistency

Question 4

5 q’s of colostrum

Answer 4

quality
quantity
quickness
squeeky clean
quantifying the results

Question 5

why is colostrum important

Answer 5

syndesmochorial placenter
immunoglobulins cannot ccross the fetus
calf is not protected

Question 6

failure of passive transfeer

Answer 6

less than 10 mg/ml of igg

Question 7

igg will

Answer 7

reduce treatment and mortality
improve growth rate and feed efficiency
decreased age at first calving
increased first andsecond lactation

Question 8

for highest quallity colostrum

Answer 8

harvest with in 1-2 hours, 6 hr max

Question 9

how to increase colostrum quality

Answer 9

dry cow nutrition
avoid long or short dry periods
vaccinate when dry
harvest within 2 hours

Question 10

how much igg in the average calf

Answer 10

10 mg/ml

Question 11

how much to feed at first feeding

Answer 11

10% of body weight,

about 1 gallon

Question 12

why feed within 1-2 hours

Answer 12

calf is born with an open gut, then closes

Question 13

nutriton program: birth to weaning

Answer 13

doouble birth wt by 56 days
1.6-1.8 lb/day
develop functional rumen and be weaned by week 7-8

Question 14

Pre Ruminant

Answer 14

Birth to  3-4 weeks
do not have a functional rumen
can't digest solid feed
abomasum does the work
dependant on liquid diet of milk/milk replacer (need morein the winter 3-4 quarts twice a day or 2-3 twice a day in summer)
	calf starter and water (free choice)
	water  only after day 3
rumen lacks papillae

Question 15

abomasonal digestion in pre-ruminant

Answer 15

milk clots in the abomasum within 10 minutes
chymosin (rennin)acts on caisin
whey has many proteins
milk clot is slowly digested by pepsin and hcl and released into
intestines.
milk proteins are best digested

Question 16

intestinal digestion of pre-ruminant

Answer 16

sugars are poorly digested
except lactose
until week 3-4
pancreatic protein enzymes increse after birth (trypsin and chymotripsin)

Question 17

Transition Phase (week 3-4 to weaning)

Answer 17

milk, grain and water
begin developing functinoal rumen
takes 3 weeks but continues as long as milk is fed
grain feeding promotes butyric and propioic acid production 
	llowers the ph
	increses bacterial growth
rumen wont  develop if milk only
graaaiiinn!!! not forage.

Question 18

Ruminant phase

Answer 18

at 225 lbs
around 8 weeks
milk is discontinued 
post weaning diet
	1-2 weeks: grain and water
	3 weeks: grain, water and forages