feeding young ruminants

Question 1

the rumen structure and pH of a young calf is different to an adult how

Answer 1

• no absorptive ability due to lack of developed papillae
• pH is relatively lower

Question 2

what is needed to hep the rumen develop

Answer 2

• innoculation and establishment of the anaerobic ruminal microbial ecosystem
• initiation of starter feed consumption
• fermentation processes and absorption mechanisms

Question 3

low rumen pH results from

Answer 3

• undesired shift in the microflora
• inefficient digestion
• decrease in rumen motility
• increase in keratinisation
• weaning = common time for low rumen pH because volume of starter intake increases significantly

Question 4

how does the calf’s rumen develope the microbiome

Answer 4

• when born, GIT is sterile
• gains bacteria from environment and colostrum/milk
• rumen microflora of a pre-ruminant is different from that of a mature ruminant
• starch concentrated increase the gram negative bacteria which produce butyrate and propionate (great source of energy for growth of rumen wall
• fibre increases gram positive bacteria which produce acetate

Question 5

what are the pros and cons to feeding liquid whole milk to calves

Answer 5

pros:
- increased fat content
- lower labour

cons:
- can fluctuate in solids %
- MAP transmission
- cost

Question 6

what are the pros and cons of feedinf milk replacer to calves

Answer 6

pros:
- consistent solids %
- cost
- heat treated (lowers total bacteria count)

cons:
- lower fat content
- higher lactose content
- labour intensive

Question 7

compare skimmed milk replacer, whey replacer and plant based replacer. which one is best choice to feed a calf and why

Answer 7

skimmed MR is best - plant based proteins are designed for the rumen, not the abomassum so hard to digest. whey doesnt form a goot abomassal clot

Question 8

how often do calves need to be fed

Answer 8

legally if under 1 month must be fed at least twice a day
- ideally ad lib/robotic

Question 9

how much do calves need to be fed

Answer 9

• varies with desired daily live weight gain, age, environmental conditions
• rough rule of thumb: 900 g per day

Question 10

what are the aims of feeding solids to young ruminants

Answer 10

• stimulate microbial population
• increase capacity
• stimulate rumen papillae formation
• provision of energy
• development of rumination
• impact on behaviout

Question 11

what is the aim of feeding concentrates to young ruminants

Answer 11

• provide VFAs
• feeds microbial population
• develops rumen epithelium (papillae)
• provision of energy

Question 12

at what age can you begin introducing concentrates to young ruminants

Answer 12

can be offered from day 3 of age after milk (less is more)

Question 13

at what age should young ruminants begin consuming concentrates as part of their standard diet

Answer 13

2 weeks

Question 14

at what age are concentrates considered an energy source for calves

Answer 14

3 weeks

Question 15

at what age should the rumen be functioning well

Answer 15

10-12 weeks

Question 16

what are the aims of feeding forage to young ruminants

Answer 16

• development of ruminal muscular layers
• mitigate low rumen pH
• establishment of microflora prior to weanin

Question 17

what age should young ruminants be fed forage

Answer 17

• introduced from 3 days old
• should be availible by 2 weeks of age

Question 18

how should forage be presented to calves and why does forage quality matter at this stage in development

Answer 18

• short chop length (3-4cm) prevents sorting and increases intake
• ideally forage should have LOW palatability at this age because we dont want them to overfill on forage (want to develope papillae by feeding concentrates to make VFAs)
• dont offer silage to calves below 6 months as their rumens cant digest this properly

Question 19

what pre-requisite are we looking for at weaning in ruminants

Answer 19

a developed rumen which can efficienctly digest solid feed
- increased rumen capacity
- developed papillae for efficient abosorption
- correct rumen pH
- balanced and functioning microbiome

Question 20

how do we know when to wean a beef calf

Answer 20

• usually separated from dam at 6-8 months
• by 6.5 months 75% of diet should already be solids

Question 21

when should you introduce creep feed to calves and what should feed be composed of

Answer 21

• introduce 6-10 weeks before weaning to reduce stress, minimise drop in performance and reduce risk of pneumonia
• composition: 14-16% crude protein, 12.5 MJ ME/kg DM
• ad lip or no more than 1-1.5 kg/head

Question 22

how do we know when to wean dairy calves

Answer 22

• some farms will have a set “age” they wean
• calf should have doubled its BW since birth
• minimum 6 weeks of age, common 8 weeks

Question 23

how should dairy calves be weaned

Answer 23

step down weaning programs
- starts 10-14 days prior to weaning
- involves 25-50 % reduction in milk feeding during the first few days
- 2nd reduction is usually repeated 5-7 days prior to weaning
- increase solid feed consumption during weaning process
- avoid abrupt (cold turkey milk feeding) with dairy calves

Question 24

dairy calves from 0-8 weeks should be fed:

Answer 24

• whole milk/milk replacer (6L BID)
• Ad lib concentrate and forage

Question 25

dairy calves from 8-10 weeks should be fed:

Answer 25

• eating > 1-2kg concentrate
• gradual decrease of milk
• increased amount of concentrate
• ad lib forage

Question 26

dairy calves older than 10 weeks should be fed:

Answer 26

• concentrate
• forage
• moving to higher % of a hougher energy dense forage

Question 27

outline the diet changes of lambs from birth to weaning to growing

Answer 27