Raising calves in group housing with autofeeders has been a transformational change for the better for many dairies. But not everyone has found that sparkling success in their initial autofeeder transition.
Virginia Tech University Professor Emeritus of Dairy Science, Bob James, said when managed well, autofeeders and group housing provide enhanced animal welfare. They also feed preweaned calves in a more “biologically normal” manner.
But they are not maintenance-free, and calves don’t thrive automatically without careful attention to detail. On the “Calfblog” of autofeeder manufacturer Foerster-Technik, James shared his “top 10” list of details to address for autofeeder and group housing success:
1. Make great colostrum – Colostrum quality can be improved through excellent dry-cow nutrition, and its quality should be maintained with attention to detail in harvest and storage.
2. Deliver high passive immunity – Feed at least 200 g of IgG in the first 12 hours of life (sooner is better). This will require testing of colostrum for IgG levels, and/or using colostrum supplements or replacers.
3. Keep the maternity pen clean – A clean calving environment will help protect calves until colostral immunity is delivered. Think of it as a race between the bacteria and the colostrum antibodies. The first on there “wins!”
4. Create a winning housing environment – Group pens should be well-drained and routinely cleaned and bedded to keep bacterial loads low. Work with a ventilation professional to ensure at least four air exchanges per hour in cold weather, and more in hot weather.
5. Find the right people – The ideal individuals to raise preweaned calves are more than “calf feeders;” they are “calf managers.” They possess skills in detecting and treating disease early; keeping consistent routines; and maintaining cleanliness and sanitation in all areas of calf care.
6. Feed strategically – Nutritional success with autofeeders can be achieved with both whole milk and milk replacer. But be sure whole milk – even salable milk – is pasteurized. Work with your nutritionist to determine the best fat and protein levels, as well as total milk allowances, to meet your operation’s goals. Offer palatable, 20-22% crude protein starter grain, fresh daily.
7. Background calves – Before placing them on the autofeeder, calves should be raised and fed individually in pens or hutches until they are drinking aggressively from a nipple bottle.
8. Devise a liquid feeding plan – Program feedings to closely mimic those that would be delivered if calves were nursing their dams. Work with your manufacturer representative and nutritionist to determine the best strategy for total allowable daily intake; volume allowed per feeding; and a step-down process for weaning. In general, limiting calves to 8 L per day or less is not recommended, as calves will be hungry and more prone to cross-sucking in group pens. About 10-14 days prior to weaning, decrease daily milk allotment gradually each day until reaching 2 L/day.
9. Follow a sanitation plan – Milk is an excellent growth medium for undesirable bacteria. Work with your manufacturer representative and dairy sanitation product supplier to develop routine cleaning and sanitation protocols, then follow them strictly. Replace milk lines routinely to reduce contamination with biofilms. Most farms find it much more affordable to replace inexpensive hoses every few weeks, than to tend to sick calves.
10. Know your dealer – Your manufacturer representative should be involved not only in getting your new system up and running, but in regular inspection and maintenance of your machine(s). They should be readily available to answer questions and troubleshoot issues, as well as provide a ready inventory of replacement parts, supplies and cleaning fluids.
“As with any successful calf management program, it is a team effort,” noted James. “A well-managed autofeeder system is not designed to be low cost per day. Rather, it will promote development of the dairy heifer, which will enable her to express her genetic potential in a profitable manner.”
