Calf Feeding Notes

Adapted by Betsy Karle, UCCE Glenn/Tehama Counties

As the real heat of summer approaches, we take the opportunity to review the needs of our dairies’ future - heifer calves.  It’s no secret that getting 2-3 quarts of colostrum into the calf as soon as possible after birth and another 2-3 quarts into her within 24 hours is absolutely essential to her health and well-being. During this first day, the calf can absorb maternal antibodies in colostrum directly from the gut without digesting them (passive immunity). This is especially important for cattle, as these antibodies do not cross directly from the dam to the calf through the placental wall during gestation. To ensure the highest quality colostrum, dams should be well vaccinated per a veterinarian’s recommendations during the dry period. Without this protection, the colostrum will be of inferior quality. The calf will absorb whatever it ingests first, including bacteria and other pathogens. These will be absorbed into the blood stream so it is well advised to be very sanitary when milking the dam and administering the colostrum to avoid any contamination.

The calf’s own immunity does not kick in until 2-3 weeks of age and is not fully developed until she is 6-8 months old, making the first few weeks of life high risk. Summer heat increases the calf’s stress level, so it is especially important to follow strict cleanliness protocols to reduce the pathogen load that the calf receives. This includes removing the calf from the dam & calving area as soon as possible and placing her in a clean, dry, and well-ventilated pen. Pens should be cleaned and disinfected after each calf and the entire calf housing area should be rotated if space and pen design permits. This reduces the pathogen load in a particular area, thereby reducing the amount of calf exposure. Sunlight is a great sanitizer, so simply allowing pens or hutches to dry for many days in the sun before being used by another calf is a great start.

Inevitably, calves will scour at some point. This can be caused by a pathogen or by feed changes. Nutritional scours can be avoided by making any feed changes gradually and carefully following label instructions on milk replacers. Especially in the summertime, any excess fluid loss from nutritional scours should be prevented. Scours as the result of pathogens are much more difficult to prevent. Clean environment, good air flow and adequate shade are essential and calf vaccination programs may provide some protection. Electrolyte solutions designed for calf use can be fed when a calf has diarrhea, but it is vital to keep offering the calf her normal ration of milk or replacer. Withholding milk will not make a disease pass more quickly and will contribute to dehydration and malnourishment due to energy starvation. Electrolytes should be fed in separate meals and not mixed with milk replacer powder. A calf should always have access to clean water from 3 days of age and it is advisable to check the quality of the water that is being offered. Oftentimes, high salt concentrations will discourage consumption and high bacteria concentrations can cause additional health problems.  Feeding additional water or electrolytes to all calves between milk feedings via bottle on hot days will also help combat heat stress.

While the triple digits make the job more difficult, calves can still prosper given the right environment and nutrition. It is worth it to the future of your dairy to ensure that these replacements are given the best start possible.

References & more information:  Dairy Care Practices, University of California Cooperative Extension Dairy Workgroup.  Heinrichs, A.J. & C.M. Jones. 2003. Feeding the Newborn Dairy Calf. PennState Cooperative Extension Publication.  Hoffman, P.C. & R. Plourd. 2003. Raising Dairy Replacements. Cooperative Extension- Univ. of Wisc., Univ. of Minn., Iowa St. Univ., Univ. of Ill.