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Windbreaks for heifers
Protection from wind and snow is essential for heifers housed outdoors in dry lot, mound or pasture systems. Without this protection, cold temperatures and environmental conditions can take a toll on heifer growth, and in some cases, health. Joe Harner, an extension engineer from Kansas State University, provides these tips for building windbreaks.
Harner says, as a general rule-of-thumb, a windbreak will protect an area 10 times the height of the windbreak. In addition, the snow-dump area is four times the windbreak height. So, for a windbreak 10 feet tall, the protected area extends 100 feet from the fence, and snow will be captured within 40 feet of the fence. He advises to avoid solid fences for windbreaks. Solid fences create wind turbulence near the fence and encourage snow to dump against the windbreak. In severe blizzards, heifers will move closer to the windbreak to get more protection and may suffocate in the snow if a solid fence is used. To prevent snow dumping and wind turbulence, Harner recommends that 20 percent of the fence be open space. For example, if the windbreak is built from 2-inch x 6-inch lumber, leave a gap of 0.75 to 1 inch between boards to provide open space.
Criteria for healthy calf pens
Ken Nordlund and his colleagues at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine have developed the “ideal Wisconsin calf pen concept” based on their research, which shows that a poorly designed pen can create an unhealthy microenvironment inside a naturally ventilated calf barn. The Wisconsin calf pen concept outlines seven criteria for healthy pens.
- Provide 32 square feet per calf, with a 6-inch layer of bedding to cushion against physical injuries and to insulate the pen surface. Clean, dry bedding will help calves maintain a clean, dry hair coat that provides further insulation.
- Use solid panels that are 4 feet tall between calves. Solid pen walls reduce nose-to-nose contact that can spread disease and minimize drafts on calves.
- Extend side walls 12 inches past the front of the pen to further reduce contact between calves.
- Construct open front and rear panels to promote ventilation and good air quality in the pen. If pens are placed back-to-back, leave at least one foot between them to reduce contact between calves.
- Limit the solid part of the back wall to a maximum height of 18 inches to help keep bedding in place without limiting ventilation.
- Provide two holes in the front panel for feed and water access. Forcing calves to use separate openings reduces the amount of milk and water dribbled into grain and grain dribbled into water, wasting less grain and improving intake of both grain and water. Place bucket rails so feed is 12 to 16 inches above the pen floor; this helps calves find feed and water quickly.
- Keep drafts down with bedding, not hovers, during cold weather. Hovers placed on the back third of a pen eliminate ventilation and increase counts of airborne bacteria in the pen. Provide deep-straw bedding and use calf blankets instead.
Source: Dairy Calf and Heifer Association
For more information about these or DCHA membership, visit www.calfandheifer.org.
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Careful recordkeeping is key to Beef Quality Assurance
Dairy producers are beef producers, too, and the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a national program supported by the beef checkoff that provides guidelines for beef production to build consumer trust and confidence in the beef industry. Accurate recordkeeping for all treatments given to animals is one part of a BQA program and is designed to prevent antibiotic residues and protect consumers.
Guidelines for Treatment and Records
- Follow all FDA, USDA and EPA guidelines for each product.
- Follow all label directions for each product.
- Keep extra-label drug use to a minimum; use only when prescribed by a veterinarian working under a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR).
- Strictly adhere to extended withdrawal periods (as determined by a veterinarian within the context of a VCPR).
- Identify animals either individually or as a group.
- Record the following information when cows are treated:
- Individual animal or group/lot identification.
- Date treated.
- Product administered and manufacturer's lot/serial number.
- Dosage.
- Route and location of administration.
- Earliest date animal will have cleared the withdrawal period.
- Name of individual administering the treatment.
- Check all cattle shipped to harvest to ensure that animals that have been treated have meet label or prescription withdrawal times for all animal health products administered.
- Transfer all processing and treatment records with the cattle to next production level. Prospective buyers must be informed of any cattle that have not met withdrawal times.
For more information about BQA programs and guidelines, visit www.bqa.org.
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