Getting Calves Off to a Good Start
How to ensure every newborn calf equals money in your pocket.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 5, 2015) — In preparation for the calving season, producers want everything to go perfectly, but it doesn’t always play out that way, acknowledged Beth Saxton during a Learning Lounge session attended by cattle producers in the trade show Feb. 5 during the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in San Antonio. Saxton is national sales manager for APC Consumer Products, which offers a line of colostrum supplements and replacers under the brand name Lifeline.
With planning, a few key management strategies can help improve calf survival rates, Saxton noted. These strategies include:
- Work with a veterinarian to establish a herd health program and herd testing protocols to resolve any scours or respiratory issues among newborn calves. “It’s a good investment,” she says.
- Keep the calving area clean, or move it to a new area if possible, especially if you are dealing with a disease outbreak.
- Segregate sick cows and calves to avoid nose-to-nose contact and prevent further transmission to the herd.
- Monitor calves closely and frequently.
- Provide a dry area with protection for newborns. In instances where electricity is available, a heated indoor area may be needed to warm some calves. Otherwise, putting a cold calf in a pickup to warm up might be considered.
- Most importantly, get colostrum into a calf as soon as possible after birth is essential. “A calf is born with absolutely no immunity; there are no antibodies circulating in the bloodstream. Colostrum is the only source of antibodies to the calf,” Saxton emphasized.
She shared research from a Nebraska study that shows 20% of newborn calves are not getting enough antibodies in their first hour of life. A national study showed similar results with a range of 11% to 33%.
“A calf must receive colostrum within the first 24 hours of life because efficiency of absorption of immunoglobulins into the bloodstream decreases quickly” — and no absorption occurs after 24 hours.
Colostrum supplements and replacers are available on the market to help supply a calf’s colostrum needs, and producers might consider having some on hand for calving season — noting that not too many farm supply stores are open at midnight. Saxton explained that a supplement contains at least 50 grams of the globulin protein and should be used to help boost a calf that needs a little extra colostrum. A colostrum replacer contains a minimum of 100 grams of globulin protein and offers a complete nutritional profile. It should be used for calves who have not received any colostrum from their mother, she said.
For more about colostrum products from Lifeline visit https://www.facebook.com/APCLifeline.
Editor’s Note: The articles used within this site represent a mixture of copyrights. This article was written by staff or under contract for the Angus Journal. If you would like to reprint or repost an article, you must first request permission of the Angus Journal by contacting the editor at 816-383-5200; 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506. The Angus Journal claims copyright to this website as presented. We welcome educational venues and cattlemen to link to this site as a service to their audience.