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AUTUMN 2015 ISSUE
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
10
CAL F HEALTH
Checking antibody transfer
To assess how well antibodies were being
transferred from the colostrum and conferring
immunity to the calves, measurements of ‘total
protein’ were taken. This involved taking
blood samples from calves of one to eight
days of age.
Kirsty explains: ‘If the total protein result is less
than 5.5g/dl, this indicates inadequate
antibody transfer – it could be due to poor
quality colostrum and/or poor intakes.
‘In the initial screening of Westmorland clients,
only three out of 171 calves had poor
antibody levels, and these were calves which
had been left to suckle for themselves. It’s also
useful to look at the average reading for a
batch of calves and the variation. Interestingly,
those farms with a protocol to stomach-tube all
newborn calves had the least variation in
antibody transfer levels.‘
Are you underfeeding CMR?
Kirsty believes milk replacer is being underfed
on many farms, immediately limiting calves’
growth potential. In fact, almost all of
Westmorland’s clients in the competition had
not been feeding enough milk powder.
Kirsty advises: ‘First of all, it’s important to
weigh the powder out. A set of electronic
kitchen scales is not an expensive investment to
ensure the correct amount of powder is used.
‘The other error that is often made goes back
to the time when whole milk used to be fed:
calves would be given two litres, twice a day.
But when the switch is made to powdered
milk, a common mistake is to continue to feed
the two litres, but follow the instructions on the
bag label which might suggest 125g of milk
powder per litre. This would mean calves
would be getting only 500g per day from four
litres.
‘However, if they are to achieve the required
growth rate of 850g-1kg/day in the first eight
weeks, then they need to be fed at least 850g
of milk powder a day. So double the amount
is going to be needed.‘
Calf jacket benefits
Once the ambient temperature drops below
10°C then calves must burn energy just to
maintain their core body temperature. This
diverts energy away from ‘powering’ their
immune system and from growth.
Fitting jackets to young calves will provide
them with insulation, and protect them from
draughts so they are not using energy just to
keep warm. Studies have shown that calf
jackets can reduce feed costs, and can
improve weight gains by 5kg over 12 weeks.
Kirsty warns: ‘Jackets should be made out
of breathable fabric, and must be washed
in-between calves to prevent disease spread.‘
Measure milk powder
Amongst the farmers that participated in the
Healthy Heifers competition were James
Robinson and his father Henry who run an
organic pedigree Shorthorn herd at Strickley
Farm, near Kendal.
Their 110-cow herd averages yields of
7,000 litres/cow and is block calved from
August to September.
There is a separate yoke and gate in the
calving shed, which enables James or Henry
to intervene and assist cows in labour more
easily and earlier. A portable milker is
nearby to ensure cows are milked straight
away. In this way, calves receive their first
2 litres of colostrum by stomach-tubing,
within about 10 minutes of life.
Newborn calves are put into individual pens
and will receive 2.5-3 litres of milk from the
dam within the first 24 hours. They are kept
in individual pens for the first week to 10
days and then penned in small groups
until weaning.
Top tip:
The Robinsons have two
stomach-tubes – one for
healthy newborn calves and
one for sick calves, so there
is no danger of spreading
disease.
Blood sampling to check antibody transfer
Calf jackets provide insulation in colder weather
Investment in weigh cell
improves heifer breeding decisions
Case study 1