Neonatal Calf Management

Question 1

when should you see spontaneous respiration after delivery?

Answer 1

within 30 seconds of delivery

Question 2

when should a newborn calf stand after parturition?

Answer 2

1 hour

Question 3

what congenital defects should you check for in newborns?

Answer 3

hernias
cleft palate
atresia ani
supernumerary teats

Question 4

how can you measure colostrum quality?

Answer 4

immunoassay
colostrometer
brix refractometer

Question 5

what is the goal for colostrum quality?

Answer 5

50 g/L IgG
total >150 g/calf

Question 6

how much colostrum should be fed at first feeding?

Answer 6

3-4L
10% birth weight

Question 7

when should colostrum be fed?

Answer 7

within 1-2 hours of birth

Question 8

when should you feed fresh colostrum?

Answer 8

within an hour or refrigerate

Question 9

what is measuring calf serum total solids used for?

Answer 9

as proxy for IgG
better for monitoring colostrum program than individuals

Question 10

how much milk should calves get in the first three days?

Answer 10

2-3 quarts twice daily

Question 11

why should you avoid feeding excessive forage until weaning?

Answer 11

inability of rumen to process cellulose

Question 12

how can you stimulate respiration?

Answer 12

vigorous rubbing of muzzle/head
cold water therapy
positive pressure: ET tube
dopram
caffeine

Question 13

when should a newborn calf suckle?

Answer 13

2 hours

Question 14

what should the heart rate be of a newborn calf?

Answer 14

100-150 beats/min

Question 15

what should you do for a newborn?

Answer 15

dip navel in 7% iodine
check for congenital defects
dry and separate from dam

Question 16

what is assessed in colostrum?

Answer 16

quality
quantity
quickness
cleanliness

Question 17

what should be fed at the second feeding?

Answer 17

colostrum or second milking
2 quarts maximum

Question 18

how does the gut ability to absorb colostrum change over time?

Answer 18

50% ability decreased by 8 hours

Question 19

how long can you keep colostrum fermented?

Answer 19

3 weeks

Question 20

when should you sample calves for serum total solids?

Answer 20

1-7 days of age

Question 21

what is increased time with dam good for?

Answer 21

maternal bonding/oxytocin release
decreased labor input
public perception

Question 22

why is immediate separation from dam good?

Answer 22

minimized pathogen exposure
uniform colostrum administration
decreases calving facilities requirement

Question 23

when should calf starter grain be offered?

Answer 23

within first 3 days of birth

Question 24

why should you avoid feeding excessive forage until weaning?

Answer 24

inability of rumen to process cellulose

Question 25

what are the cons of pasteurized waste milk?

Answer 25

up front cost/maintenance of pasteurizer
variable supply of non-saleable milk
pasteurization is not sterilization
antibiotic residues?

Question 26

what are the pros of pasteurized waste milk?

Answer 26

increased nutrition
utilize non-saleable milk
daily savings on calf feeding costs
minimizes pathogen transmission

Question 27

how are most milk replacers designated?

Answer 27

by protein-fat percentage

Question 28

what milk replacers are best?

Answer 28

skim milk
buttermilk
casein
milk albumin
dried whey

Question 29

what is added to milk replacer?

Answer 29

vitamins A, D, E
coccidiostats
antibiotics
binders/botanicals

Question 30

what should milk replacer total solids be?

Answer 30

12-13% on brix refractometer

Question 31

what are the calf housing options?

Answer 31

hutches
group pens
greenhouse barn
tie-stall/stanchion

Question 32

what should heifer nutrition be from weaning to 5 months?

Answer 32

grain/concentrate should be majority of diet
forage, introduce at 4-5 months

Question 33

what should heifer nutrition be from 5 months to breeding?

Answer 33

forage based: silage, hay
include grain, no high fat

Question 34

what is the goal for breeding weight?

Answer 34

55% of adult body weight
add lean mass

Question 35

what are the core heifer vaccines?

Answer 35

IBR/BRSV/PI-3/BVD + leptospirosis
clostridia- perfringens C and D, tetanus

Question 36

which vaccines are risk dependent?

Answer 36

rabies
shipping fever complex: pasteurella, manheimia, histophilus
brucellosis

Question 37

what are the dehorning options?

Answer 37

paste disbudding
electric/gas dehorner
surgical dehorning

Question 38

when are heifers bred?

Answer 38

12-13 months
90% of adult height at shoulder- 48” holsteins