Calf & Heifer Adviser

MONDAY, Aug. 9, 2010


			Welcome to Calf & Heifer Adviser, published by Dairy Herd Management^® magazine. Calf and Heifer Adviser and its core sponsors are committed to providing you with the information you need to make informed and timely business decisions.

NUTRITION NOTES

Fatty acids impact passive immunity
New research presented at the American Dairy Science Association annual meeting in Denver, Colo., takes a look at the effect of supplementing fatty acids and the transfer of passive immunity to calves. Results show that calves born from cows fed fat prepartum were more efficient at absorption of IgG. Read the study details.

A+ to acid
Results from new research presented at the American Dairy Science Association annual meeting in Denver, Colo., indicate that free-access feeding of acidified milk replacer supports improved body weight gain and structural growth during the pre-weaning period. However, free-access feeding of acidified milk replacer does not affect post-weaning weight gain. Read the study details.

Feed delivery impacts behavior
According to new research published in the August Journal of Dairy Science, different feeding methods affect the feeding behavior of heifers. Results indicate that feeding a total mixed ration to heifers from a young age promotes a more even daily feeding pattern, minimizes feed bunk competition and promotes a more solid fecal consistency. Read the study details.

More Nutrition Notes

MARKET MONITOR

Heifers prices up slightly
Heifer prices at most recent auctions are up slightly from last month. Top-end springing heifers were reported as high as $1,625 in Turlock Calif. The low end of the range for top-rated heifers was $1,000 at Sulphur Springs, Texas. Calf prices are down from last month. The top end of the range for heifer calves is $140 to $165, compared to the high of $210 last month, reports Greg Scheer, dairy analyst with Doane Advisory Services in St. Louis, Mo.

(See the table below)

	Springing heifers		Heifer calves
Location (sale date)	Supreme/top grade	Approved/medium grade	90-120 pounds
Turlock, Calif. (7/23/10)	$1,350-$1,625	$1,075-$1,315	NR
Stratford, Wis. (7/27/10)	$1,100-$1,550	$800-$1,100	$75-$165
Sulphur Springs, Texas (7/29/10)	$1,000-$1,200	$850-$1,000	$50-$140
New Holland, Pa. (8/4/10)	$1,125-$1,275	$875-$1,050	NR

More Market Monitor

HEALTH WATCH

Get a handle on heifer mastitis
Although it would be great if all first-lactation heifers entered the milking string infection free, it cannot be assumed that this will ever be the case, says Neil Broadwater, University of Minnesota extension dairy educator. Use these SCC goals for first-lactation heifers.

A look at medicated milk replacer
New regulations for the use of medicated milk replacers containing neomycin sulfate and oxytetracycline have resulted in a need to explore the effects of amount and duration of antibiotic feeding on calf growth and health work. New research from the University of Minnesota evaluates the growth and health of calves pre- and post-weaning fed milk replacers with differing levels of neomycin sulfate and oxytetracycline. Read the study details.

Brix refractometry and colostrum quality
Research published in the August Journal of Dairy Science takes a look at Brix refractometers and their use in measuring colostrum quality. Researchers evaluated both optical and digital Brix refractometers. Results indicate that refractometers may be a useful tool in determining colostrum quality. Read the study details.

Fight the effects of dystocia
The immediate survival of a calf experiencing a difficult birth or dystocia is critical, but the effects of dystocia can put the calf at a higher risk of death or illness in the first four months of life. The June issue of Bovine Veterinarian discusses dystocia calves at length and shares tips for fighting the effects of dystocia. Read the full story.

More Health Watch

			MANAGER TO MANAGER
		Beware of being 'average' When it comes to calving age, be cautious of using average age at first calving as a benchmark because "average" can be deceiving, says Paul Fricke, reproduction specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Read Fricke's recommendations. Consider a temperature alarm system Does the value of medications and vaccines stored in your refrigerator come close to $500? If you answered "yes," then you may want to consider a temperature alarm system, says Sam Leadley, calf-care expert at Attica (N.Y.) Veterinary Associates. Learn more. How fresh is your calf starter supply? It is best to not take shortcuts when it comes to calf starter freshness, say calf experts at Land O'Lakes Purina Feed. Find out why. Economics of sexed semen In a recent issue of the Journal of Dairy Science, researchers from the University of Minnesota published results of a study investigating effects of using sexed semen in heifers on reproduction, health and production during their first lactation. Although the rearing costs were greater for heifers bred to sexed semen, the costs to produce a female calf were lower with sexed semen than with conventional. Read the study details. More Manager to Manager

QUESTION of the MONTH

Which of these diseases are you struggling with the most in your pre-weaned calves?

Bloat
Respiratory
Scours
Our calves are healthy

Submit your answer here.

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

Last issue's poll results:

Where do you raise your calves?: (87 responses)

A) Hutches (61%)

B) Calf barn (25%)

C) Greenhouse barn (9%)

D) Other (5%)

			INDUSTRY CONNECTION
		Calling all dairy farmers Washington State University is conducting a national survey to learn more about how disease and treatment data are recorded, used and valued across the U.S. Learn more. Mind your needles and syringes Vaccinations, estrus-synchronization programs and treatments for disease can add up to a lot of injections over the life of a dairy cow. Though they may seem small or insignificant, needles play an important role in administering injections properly. Use these tips to avoid injection-site blemishes. Calling all entries for 'Why I Love Dairy' contest Deadline for video contest is fast approaching; submissions are due Aug 31. Read more. Save the date The following list highlights some of the upcoming educational opportunities available to you. NMC Regional Meeting, Sept. 8-9, Grand Rapids, Mich. More information. 2010 International Dairy Show, Sept. 13-15, Dallas, Texas. More information. NAAB Annual Business Meeting, Sept. 15-16, Milwaukee, Wis. More information. NAAB Biennial Technical Conference, Sept. 16-17, Milwaukee, Wis. More information. All-American Dairy Show, Sept. 18-23, Harrisburg, Pa. More information. 20th Discover Conference on Food Animal Agriculture: The Transition Cow: Biology and Management, Sept. 20-23, Champaign, Ill. More information. 71st Minnesota Nutrition Conference, Sept. 21-22, Owatonna, Minn. More information. Future Trends in Animal Agriculture Symposium: Is Legislation the Best Approach to Animal Welfare Issues, Sept. 22, Washington, D.C. More information. World Dairy Expo, Sept. 28-Oct. 2, Madison, Wis. More information. For a more detailed calendar of events, click here. More Industry Connection