Amino acids improve calf performance
Research in the June Journal of Dairy Science seeks to better define the amino-acid requirements of pre-weaned calves. During four studies, researchers added essential amino acids to milk replacers to estimate the optimum level of lysine, methionine and threonine needed by calves less than five weeks old. All the milk replacers contained 17 percent fat. Only the crude protein and amino acid levels differed between treatments. All calves were offered calf starter.
     Results from the four studies suggest calves benefit most from a milk replacer formulated to contain 26 percent crude protein, 2.34 percent lysine and 0.72 percent methionine. Feeding more than these levels did not improve daily gains or feed efficiency. Click here (PDF format) to learn more about the study.

Heifer prices still firm
Springing heifer and calf prices remain strong. High feed cost remains a concern for heifer prices, but so far producers are drawing on recent profits to expand herds, says Greg Scheer, dairy analyst with Doane Advisory Services in St. Louis. Top-end springing heifers hit $2,450 in Escalon, Calif., while the high end of calf prices was $635 in Ithaca, Wis.

Colostrum volume impacts passive transfer
Recent research at the University of Minnesota indicates that colostrum replacer volume matters a great deal when it comes to passive transfer. And method of delivery matters at low volumes.
     Results presented at the Minnesota Dairy Health Conference showed that calves fed 3 liters (3.17 quarts) of colostrum replacer per day (200 grams of IgG) had significantly higher levels of passive transfer than calves fed 1.5 liters (1.159 quarts) of colostrum replacer per day (100 grams of IgG).
     Calves that received the lower volume via a nipple bottle showed an average 10.6-percent increase in apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG over calves fed the same dose with an esophageal feeder tube. Meanwhile, passive transfer seemed to be unaffected by feed-delivery method for calves fed the higher dose of colostrum replacer.

Organized calf vaccines
Kutz Dairy in Jefferson, Wis., utilizes PVC plastic boards to ensure consistency in newborn-calf vaccinations. Each board has holes drilled in it, where syringes sit that have been made up in advance. The board says where each vaccine should be administered, what it is and how much is being given. This handy tool helps employees ensure that each calf receives every vaccination and the correct amounts.

Innovative ideas always welcome
Dream Farms of Newburg, Pa., thinks outside the box. “Thinking outside the box is what has gotten us where we are in agriculture today,” says Lane Sollenberger. This mentality has helped the heifer-raising operation in more ways than one. To find out more, click here.

Pay attention to systems to combat feed prices
As feed prices climb, “I focus on systems to help my clients remain profitable,” says Sharon Green, calf sales representative for Big Gain in West Union, Iowa. “We look at the management things they can do that cost little or no money, but offer a good return — like employee training programs, and emphasizing consistent calf feeding. We’re seeing good results from these efforts.”

Performance of sexed semen in heifers
Heifers are the most fertile animals on the dairy, and thus often are recommended as the highest-priority recipients of sex-sorted semen. Reproductive specialist Mel DeJarnette and a team of co-workers at Select Sires, Inc., recently performed a large data analysis of first services to compare the reproductive performance of virgin Holstein heifers inseminated with sex-sorted semen (SS) versus conventional, non-sorted semen (CS). A total of 16,587 services were evaluated. Their findings:

• Average conception rate at first service for SS was 85 (+/- 2.9 percent) of that achieved for CS.
• 74 percent of herds achieved conception rates greater than 70 percent of that obtained for CS.
• For the heifers that failed to conceive at the first service, the percentage inseminated within the normal 18- to 24-day interval at the next service was significantly greater for SS (70 percent) versus CS (64 percent).
• No significant difference in abortion rates between the two groups.
• For single births, the percentage of female calves born to heifers that conceived with SS was 90 percent (3,361 calves), versus 48 percent (10,999 calves) for heifers settling to CS.

Do you use a bottle or esophageal feeder tube to deliver colostrum to newborn calves?

1. Bottle
2. Tube feed
3. Both

Submit your answer here.

Web Poll responses will appear in the next edition of this newsletter.

Updated cost of production report available
Now that feed prices are higher, what does it cost to raise a dairy calf or heifer? An updated report from the University of Wisconsin can help you find out. The report evaluates the cost and labor efficiencies associated with raising dairy replacements on Wisconsin dairy farms and custom calf- and heifer-raising operations. It also looks at the total cost to raise a dairy heifer from birth to freshening. Click here (PDF format) to access “Economic Costs and Labor Efficiencies Associated with Raising Dairy Herd Replacements on Wisconsin Dairy Farms and Custom Heifer Raising Operations.”

Cutting correctly
In today’s dairy beef industry, castration is a common practice. Proper castration can help improve the quality of beef and help ensure that consumers have a favorable eating experience when they choose beef. Click here for more information about proper castration practices.