Dairy Herd Management's Calf and Heifer Adviser

Colostrum replacers not created equal
The effectiveness of colostrum-replacement products can be quite variable, even when fed to deliver the same amount of immunoglobulins. The reason may have to do with how well the antibodies in different products are absorbed. In one study, 81 percent of calves fed a commercial colostrum replacer containing 100 grams of immunoglobulin G achieved adequate passive transfer. However, only 10 percent of calves fed a different commercial product with an equivalent amount of IgG achieved adequate passive transfer. Follow this link for more details.

Cold stress and calf growth
USDA research shows just how important it is to keep calves dry in cold weather. Calves in a cold (35-degree F) environment, where both the environment and the calves were frequently wetted, experienced greater incidence of respiratory disease than calves in a warmer (59-degree F) environment. However, the researchers saw no significant difference in growth rates between the two groups. Follow this link for more details.

Profit seminars a popular event
Organizing a calf operation is not easy, says Sam Leadley, calf-care specialist with Attica Veterinary Associates in Attica, N.Y. But producers attending the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association 2007 Profit Seminar in Green Bay, Wis., learned some helpful ways to better manage the work on their operations last week — and how to improve transition-heifer management. Meanwhile, Robert Corbett, Spring City, Utah, veterinarian, offered advice on vaccination protocols and maximizing calf growth. This was the second of five fall profit seminars offered across the country by DCHA. The remaining dates and locations are:

Nov. 5, St. Cloud, Minn.
Nov. 7, Syracuse, N.Y.
Nov. 9, Tifton, Ga.

For more information, go to: www.calfandheifer.org.

Neat gate storage

As heifers mature at Durst Brothers Dairy, they transition from one pen to another, and eventually from one structure to another. Portable gates enable employees to easily move heifers from the bedded-pack facility to the free-stall facility when animals are about six months old. When not in use, the gates are neatly stored on the racks shown here — out of the way, yet easily accessible when needed.

Marks denote vaccination protocol
All calves born at Johnson Dairy in Eaton, Colo., receive vaccinations — even bulls. With several calves born each day at the 7,000-cow dairy, green chalk is used to mark the backs of heifers. This way, when employees vaccinate calves, they automatically know which vaccination protocol to follow on which calf without having to stop and check each calf to verify sex. This allows employees to work more efficiently, and ensures that each calf gets the right vaccines.

More calf-care meetings coming up
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Dairy Production Training in Spanish, Nov. 1, Towanda, Pa. The morning session covers obstetrics, and the afternoon is devoted to feeding and calf care. For more information, go to: www.dairyalliance.org.
Calf Care Connection. Brought to you by the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, the one-day workshops will be held in Madison and Green Bay on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, respectively. For more information, go to: www.pdpw.org.
PDPW Hispanic Calf Care Workshop. This session is geared toward Hispanic employees and will be offered on Dec. 4 in Madison, Wis. For more information, go to: www.pdpw.org.

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