Calf
Higher prices for beef calves are incentivizing dairy producers to breed crossbred bull calves
Whether you’re building a new calf barn or retrofitting an existing structure, there are measures that can be taken to ensure the best possible calf comfort, welfare, and health.
Understanding the risk factors for hypothermia will aid in developing a strategy to prevent loss. Managing dystocia and knowing when and how to assist chilled calves is an essential part of your calving plan.
Calves born in extreme cold quickly utilize all body fat reserves and exposure to wind can exacerbate temperatures. Preparing in advance of inclement weather can lead to improved calf survival.
No matter when beef cross calves are being sold, steps can be taken to make them more marketable.
Early calf nutrition – at the milk phase stage, in particular – is only now getting the level of attention it deserves, says Jim Drackley, University of Illinois. Now, many farms are feeding 6 to 8 liters-plus per day.
Veterinarians say every dairy operation can benefit from having a checklist to follow on how to prevent and manage outbreaks of this endemic serotype of Salmonella.
Veterinarians at Kansas State say now’s the time to put together treatment plans and protocols for the upcoming calving season. Another important thing to remember: keep them consistent across the operation.
Cryptosporidia is one of the most common scours-causing pathogens in preweaned calves, and, unfortunately, it strikes in the early weeks of life when calves are most vulnerable.
Routinely monitoring transfer of passive immunity is an effective way to evaluate colostrum management and identify calves with failure of passive transfer.
A recent survey shows that the likelihood of using pain mitigation for common procedures like dehorning, disbudding and castration was directly linked to the human managers’ perception of pain for the animal.
Johne’s disease is gaining greater attention among beef cattle producers and veterinarians who work with beef cattle. Here’s an in-depth look into the disease and how to best avoid it.
Heifer availability has tightened, and prices have increased substantially. One reason is the interest that has developed in beef-on-dairy calves.
In both human and veterinary medicine, we’re hearing more about the benefits of gut supplements to support health, performance, and well-being.
Disruptions to the normal flow of milk through the abomasum can cause an overgrowth of the bacteria Clostridium perfringens type A.
“Although pregnancy losses in beef cattle are a fact of life, late-term losses are likely the most discouraging,” says Gerald Stokka, NDSU Extension veterinarian and livestock stewardship specialist.
Beef cows fed at dusk or later results in more daytime births. Research indicates that to achieve that benefit, feeding at night should be started at least one month prior to calving season.
AABP is offering online materials veterinarians can download and use with Spanish speaking caregivers of dairy and beef cattle. Some of the guidelines available address dehorning, castration, transportation and more.
AABP urges practitioners and producers to contact legislators to express support for the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. Check out Dr. Fred Gingrich’s thoughts on the subject recorded at the annual AABP conference.
More calves born on dairies than ever before are eventually headed to feedyards these days. Performance and profitability merits sending healthy animals from the calf-rearing stage to the feedlot.
In a recent study involving 40 Holstein calves, researchers found that the calves with jackets gained an average of 11.68 pounds more than those without. Those calves also had a lower incidence of scours.
Low stress weaning techniques can pay dividends to producers adding value through a preconditioning program.
Waste milk is not necessarily the “free lunch” it is often perceived to be, and may actually be a quite harzardous and costly liquid ration option.
Between 60% and 70% of U.S. dairies have mycoplasma at least as a component of the respiratory disease that they deal with, according to Geof Smith, DVM and a dairy technical services veterinarian with Zoetis.
Preconditioning has benefits for those looking to sell their calves and to those retaining ownership. Though it is not a “one size fits all” for operations. The benefits need to be considered along with practicality.
Understanding why scours occurs is the first step in preventing the problem.
Pregnant cows and heifers should be supplemented with 30,000 to 100,000 IU/head/day of Vitamin A and 50 to 100 IU/head/day of Vitamin E when green forage is not available.
Calves coming down with illness often are very good at masking their symptoms. Use these methods to detect sickness or stress early on.
Implementing a weaning program that emphasizes quality nutrition helps give calves a healthy start and can bring more return on investment
Feeding hay to preweaned dairy calves remains a topic of frequent confusion and debate. Should you do it at all? And if so, when, and what type? Penn State offers some answers.