Rearing healthy calves
Published: August 8, 2016
By: Phytobiotics; Anja Pastor.
Why is it important to invest in calves?
Calves are the high performing dairy cows or efficient beef cattle of tomorrow. Even with all our modern technology, the incidence of neonatal losses in calves is still too high. For instance, a calf mortality of 10% is stated for the United States of America. This leads to economical losses of 300 – 400 million USD per year (Strietzel, 2005). Therefore, an investment in calves is an investment in the future.
What are the main causes for losses in calves?
Diarrhea is still the main cause for losses in neonatal calves. Especially in the first two weeks of life, diarrhea alone causes 48% of losses in calves (Girnus, 2004). Taken together with pneumonia, both diseases have the highest impact on a calf´s mortality. As the heritability for fitness lies only between 0 – 30% (Gauly, 2013), it becomes obvious that the environment and hence the management have a great impact on the well-being of calves. The combination of feed management, husbandry and the control of the pathogen pressure is of utmost importance to rear healthy offspring.
What are the main pathogens causing diarrhea?
Diarrhea is multicausal. It can be infectious as well as non-infectious. In case of an infectious process, viruses such as Rota and Corona are the main pathogens, while in bacterial infections E.coli is mainly responsible and Cryptosporidia when it comes to protozoal infections. Often, multiple infections occur.
What are the consequences of sick calves?
If calves were sick and recover, the first things that come to ones mind are the costs for the veterinarian and an increased workload. But there are also tremendous subsequent effects to consider. For instance, Eilers (2011) stated an increased age at first calving by one month for dairy cows, leading to higher rearing costs. Furthermore, an increased replacement rate (+25%) and decreased longevity (-9 months) add to the costs of early diseases in heifer calves.
What can be done to support neonatal calves?
First of all, colostrum of good quality is vital for a newborn calf. It should be provided as soon as possible as calves are very prone to infections before their first colostrum intake. For dairy cattle, individual housing is an effective measurement to avoid spreading of pathogens between calves. Girnus (2004) observed that individually housed calves showed a diarrhea incidence of 27.8%, while an incidence of 65.7% was stated for calves in group housing. Clean bedding, sufficient space, light and fresh air further improve the conditions for an optimal start into life for all calves. Fresh water and supplementary feed will help to strengthen the calf and support the ruminal development. Nonetheless, a close observation of the calves in combination with loving tender care are irreplaceable and the base for a succesful calf rearing.
What can be done in case of diarrhea?
It is of utmost importance to maintain the vital drinking behavior of calves to avoid further dehydration in combination with energy and nutrient losses. Rapid countermeasures should be taken to shorten the length of the occurrence of diarrhea in consultation with the vet. Furthermore, feed additives can support calves to keep up the drinking salvage and strengthen the weakened animals' organism.
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26 de octubre de 2016
I agree with Dr. Berge as for the importance of milk quality. There are still problems with the way colostrum and diluted colostrum are collected, stored and later thawed here in the USA. However, there are many farms in which the death rate in calves pre winning is far below the national average.
Incidentally, anyone out there has any knowledge of the performance of calves fed acidified milk in controlling these diseases?
Berge Veterinary Consulting
11 de octubre de 2016
I love all articles that places the young calves in focus. I am however a bit surprised that the quality and quantity of the milk feed is not brought in as a major factor for diarrheal disease prevention. Both the nutritional composition of the milk or milk replacer and the bacteriological quality can be of hugh importance for gut health. Way too often calves are fed a sub-optimal milk replacer or a milk with tremendously high bacteriological counts and this contributes to diarrheal disease. This is a major factor to adress for gut health. I do not believe that group housing as such is a risk factor for enteric disease. Group housing can be a problem where diarrheal disease is a problem, but healthy calves can definitely benefit from group housing systems that are more animal welfare friendly and many times allow for ad-lib feeding.
11 de octubre de 2016
In india calves mortality is highly compression USA.
The writer has rightly identified the causes of this mortality and suggested some ways to reduce it.
We are thanks the writer about for awaire of calves
11 de octubre de 2016
Livestock promotion is no more a traditional concept now it is business and in business calves and their health is more important to keep livestock production sustainable. The writer has reffered calf mortality rate in USA what about calf mortality rate in third world countries in ceratin countries it goes as high as 53%. The writer has rightly identified the causes of this mortality and suggested some ways to reduce it. I recommend all the farmers to read it and i m very clear if issue is properly addressed the mortality can be brough down to as low as 3%.
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