Weaning Dairy (Aldridge)

Question 1

Most health risky phase of a young animal’s life?

Answer 1

the first 3 days

Question 2

Seven “C”s of Calf Care

Answer 2

1. Calories
2. Confidence
3. Consistency
4. Cleanliness
5. Comfort
6. Cost
7. Colostrum

Question 3

4 Goals of Raising Dairy Calves

Answer 3

1. Manage change
2. Maintain mucosal health
3. Maximize health defense
4. Mature the rumen

Question 4

5 M’s of Stress

Answer 4

1. Metabolic
2. Mucosal
3. Mechanical
4. Mental
5. Microbial

Question 5

Mucosal stressors?

Answer 5

temperature, diet

Question 6

2 Types of Mental Stress

Answer 6

1. HPA Axis/cortisol (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal)
2. Fear

Question 7

What type of mental stress stimulates the immune system?

Answer 7

fear

Question 8

milk production in calves that grow to quickly

Answer 8

decreased milk production

Question 9

milk production in calves tat grow too slowly

Answer 9

decreased milk production

Question 10

Ad Lib Calves drink what % of body weight?

Answer 10

20% of BW (ad lib meaning kept with their mommas)

Question 11

Dairy calves are typically bottle fed what percent of their body weight?

Answer 11

10%

Question 12

Cold weather increases nutrient needs in calves by what percent?

Answer 12

50%

Question 13

4 Ways of Increasing Nutrients in Feed/Milk

Answer 13

1. Increase volume
2. Increase frequency
3. Increase concentration
4. Increase energy content

Question 14

Colostrum contents

Answer 14

immunoglobulins, cells, growth factors
(things that are important for immunity, nutrition, and microbes)

Question 15

4 Q’s of Colostrum

Answer 15

1. Quality
2. Quantity
3. Quickly
4. “Queanly” (clean)

Question 16

Relationship between colostrum coliforms and disease

Answer 16

increased # of coliforms increases disease severity

Question 17

4 Components of Rumen Development

Answer 17

1. Size and Motility
2. Chemistry (Digestion)
3. Papillae (Absorption)
4. Microbes (Digestion)

Question 18

What dietary component contributes to size and motility of the rumen?

Answer 18

roughage

Question 19

What dietary component contributes to chmesitry and digestion in the rumen?

Answer 19

grain

Question 20

What dietary component contributes to the papillae/absorption?

Answer 20

milk (and also grain with age)

Question 21

What dietary component contributes to microbes in the rumen?

Answer 21

water! (and also grain with age)

Question 22

How soon should calves be eating forage?

Answer 22

within one week of weaning

Question 23

When should water first be offered to calves?

Answer 23

as early as possible after calf has finished colostrum