Calving seasons is nearly here. David Rethorst, DVM with Production Animal Consultation, presents sound reasoning to prepare for the time and how sound animal stewardship makes the best use of resources, puts more quality beef on consumers’ tables and creates value for the industry. Source: Protein Producers, winter 2021-2022, pages 23 – 27. Link. The key for these changes … [Read more...]
Search Results for: colostrum
Who, what, when where and why of calcium supplementation
Complimentary Sponsored Content Calving sets off a series of events in a cow’s body that impacts her entire system, including a steep spike in calcium demand due to colostrum production. Most second- and greater-lactation cows cannot maintain adequate calcium levels after calving, which often triggers clinical hypocalcemia, commonly known as milk fever, or subclinical … [Read more...]
Target these goals for dairy steers
Dairy and crossbred steers are no longer thought of as subquality meat. However, there are some nuances to ensure quality. Daniel Schaefer, PhD, is quoted in this article from the May Hoard’s Dairyman webinar, “Capturing full value for Holstein and crossbred steers.” The ideal Holstein steer is the kind of steer that, in the right conditions, is both a dairy steer harvester … [Read more...]
Summer pneumonia is a concern in calves
Calves that struggled early and failed to get significant passive transfer of immunity through colostrum are eventually susceptible to pathogens that can cause respiratory disease. Mixing, sorting and some weather events create stressful conditions that may trigger an outbreak of summer pneumonia in nursing calves. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, May 12, 2021. Link. Vaccination … [Read more...]
75 days to prep for calving
Say what?! It’s time to plan for calving season as the first of the 2021 crop will start dropping around March 1. Greg Henderson provides tips to help producers prepare: Assess the body condition of your cows and heifers Review the herd health plan Conduct an inspection of your calving facilities to make sure everything is in working order Check your calving … [Read more...]
Cows put their own calcium into milk – more than half of mature cows have subclinical hypocalcemia
The demand for calcium from cows to enrich colostrum is highest at calving. This is because cows are literally drawing from their own calcium stores to put the mineral into the milk. The result is often a negative calcium balance that occurs before the mechanisms to pull calcium from the cow’s skeletal system get activated. Calcium homeostasis is fragile around calving time. … [Read more...]
Calves: Start them off right
How calves are fed and managed can affect their lifelong health and productivity. The Dairy Herd editors cover four early life areas to help calves now and throughout their lives: Tips to improve colostrum What to provide for calves so they can perform Keep scours down when feeding volumes go up Feeding transition milk; another tool in the toolbox Source: Dairy … [Read more...]
Intranasal vaccination for dairy, beef calves
One way to reduce the effects of maternal antibody interference is to use intranasal vaccines, writes Jennifer Ryan. Colostrum received by young dairy calves can interfere with injectable vaccines. However, intranasal vaccines tend to work with colostrum. Beef calves are often worked first at branding, a stressful period where cortisol weakens blood cells. Intranasal works here … [Read more...]
Clostridial disease protection important for cows and calves
Clostridial diseases can be lethal for dairy cattle. Stress, injuries and changes in feeding practices increase chances of death. Vaccination and sound management practices can prevent most common clostridial diseases for cows and calves. Source: DAIRYBUSINESS, March 13, 2020. Link. A solid strategy in preventing a clostridial outbreak in calves, prior to their vaccination, … [Read more...]
Success strategies for newborn calves
There is a 4-hour window to optimize antibody absorption and immunity in newborn calves, according to Brian Vander Lay, veterinary epidemiologist. Once a calf gets its first meal the gut wall begins to close and they lose the capacity to absorb essential antibodies in colostrum necessary for immunity. He offers five strategies to ensure healthy calves. Share this on social … [Read more...]
Most read livestock posts
Posts about poultry garnered remarkable readership by readers interested in food animals. Three of the most-read livestock posts from June 1 through October 31, 2019 were about poultry. Feed sows in late gestation to enhance colostrum, AHD, June 25, 2019. Link. DVM walks us through Fair Oaks Farms video (video), AHD, June 25, 2019. Link. In search of the perfect cow, … [Read more...]
Preweaning BRD is the leading cause of mortality in young calves
Presentations during the recent Academy of Veterinary Consultants meeting reviewed research with BRD-caused mortality in young calves. The mix of pathogens involved in preweaning BRD is similar to older calves. Diagnostics labs find Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, mycoplasma and coronavirus, usually in association with at least one other … [Read more...]
Calf care videos now available online
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are making video resources available to provide training in calf management. The videos are available in English and Spanish and include: newborn calf carecolostrum managementanimal handlingautomatic calf feeder management hygiene and sanitation Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 25, … [Read more...]
FDA suggests non-dairy milk isn’t milk
The FDA describes milk as "the lacteal secretion, practically free from colostrum, obtained by the complete milking of one or more healthy cows." That definition doesn't leave room for vegan alternatives to call themselves "milk," though a number of products on the market do. Source: CNN, July 19, 2018. Link. The agency is not commenting on its plans or Gottlieb's observation … [Read more...]
Rethinking how we feed milk to pre-weaning calves
This article follows previous discussions about colostrum <link> and how dairymen are rethinking how to feed and support pre-wean calves. Similar to colostrum nutrition, there is still an abundance of knowledge to be discovered about the next phase of nutrition for the dairy calf: milk feeding. Source: Progressive Dairyman, July 16, 2018. Link. . . . we have largely … [Read more...]
Make winter calf care a priority
Don’t let calf care take a back seat, writes Karen Anderson. Her article addresses feeding and housing concerns for those who raise pre-wean calves during winter. Just because animal health pros have been through these considerations many times is no excuse for avoiding the topic during farm visits. A key point Anderson makes is to consider each calf individually. Her tips … [Read more...]
Two main points on dairy heifer raising
Matt Lippert discusses many details on how best to economically raise sound animals that will be useful for a dairy herd. Source: Dairy Herd Management, August 8, 2017. One of the best ways to trim cost is to stop raising excess heifers, says Lippert. He references evidence to avoid cutting corners on young calves. They need colostrum within minutes to very few hours after … [Read more...]
What’s in the latest JAVMA
Here’s a quick look at the May 1, 2017 JAVMA. Our AHD team found the article titled Bovine colostral cells—the often forgotten component of colostrum interesting from the perspective of the DVM, the producer and sales representatives. Source: JAVMA, May 2017. Although the role of colostral antibodies in the protection of neonates against disease has been well documented, … [Read more...]
Disinfect tube feeding equipment to prevent disease spread
While esophageal feeding of colostrum can revive weak goat kids, washing hands and disinfecting equipment thoroughly between uses is necessary to prevent the spread of diseases like Johne’s, mycoplasmosis and CAE. Follow these steps to effectively disinfect syringes and tubes: Rinse immediately after use Wash with warm soapy water to remove all debris Dilute 1 ounce … [Read more...]
Lentivirus update for small ruminants
Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) is probably the most talked about and contentious disease of goats. CAEV is a lentivirus, in the same family as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which infects goats and sheep. Once infected, the goat remains infected for its lifetime and be a carrier even if it is not sick. Source: HoofPrint, Fall 2014. CAEV has five major … [Read more...]
It’s go time for newborn calves
Scientists continue to learn more about the importance of colostrum in newborn calves. The first 24 hours of life remain the most critical period for them to ingest colostrum. Beyond the well-known, lifetime benefits linking colostrum and immune system function, ongoing research indicates colostrum helps develop other organs after birth. Source: High Plains Journal, January … [Read more...]