1. Doubling calf weights by weaning
Brian Keunen, B.Sc(Agr.) M.Sc.
Mapleview Agri Ltd.

2. Doubling calf weights by weaning
Factors that affect calf growth
NRC numbers
Practical plan
Real research data

3. Factors that affect calf growth
Colostrum
Disease
Environment
Nutrition

4. Colostrum - early
National Dairy Heifer Evaluation Project. USDA:APHIS:VS. Survey represents 1,811 farms in 28 states with 2,177 heifers sampled between 24 and 48 hours after birth.

5. Colostrum absorption
Figure 2. Effect of age of calf on the percent absorption of immunoglobulin through the calf intestine. 1
Animal Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published September 2001, reviewed August 2008.

6. Environment What does the calf need? Clean Dry & well bedded
Draft free
Clean fresh air

7. Reducing effect of disease
How can we prevent or reduce effect of the different diseases
Vaccinating cows
Vaccinate calves
Early colostrum
Clean, clean, clean - calving pens, pens, feeding equipment, & etc.

8. Bacteria counts on farms
On farm tests: 50
Under 5,000: 15
Under 50,000: 21
Under 1,000,000: 31
Over 1,000,000: 19

9. Nutrition
Calories
Protein
Environment

10. NRC - Theoretical growth
Assumptions:
Calf born at 90lbs
Weaned by 8 weeks
Using a

11. Average calf requirements

12. Average calf requirements

13. Calf requirements – L/day @ 125 g/L

14. Calf requirements – L/day @ 125 g/L

15. Calf requirements – litres per day

16. Calf requirements – litres per day

17. Practical feeding plan

18. Practical feeding plan

19. Practical Feeding Plan
Week L/day - using a bottle
Week L/day or 3 feedings
Weeks 3,4, L/day or 3 feedings
Week L/day feedings
Week L/day feeding
Week L/day feeding

20. Research Facility Calf research facility built in 2015
Capacity for 320 head
New trial every 3 weeks
Each room has capacity for 80 calves; 40 test & 40 control
Calves are individually housed for 4 weeks and in groups of 5 for 7 weeks

21. Research Facility

22. Research Facility: Feeding Milk

23. Feeding level trial Milk Volume Trial – Preliminary Results
Mapleview Sure Start + Deccox:
Summer Trial
750g g
Weight at 11 weeks lbs lbs
ADG lbs / day
Milk powder consumed kg kg
Total grain consumption lbs lbs

24. Feeding level trial: calf weights

25. Feeding level trial: grain consumption

26. Feeding level trial: update
At 20 Weeks:
Gain since last weighing (at 11 weeks)
High Rate (1000g) gained 3.7lbs more than Low Rate (750g) calves
Feed consumption was not measured
ADG since last weighing
High Rate Calves 2.43
Low Rate Calves 2.38

27. Trial conclusions
Calves need 1000 g/day of milk replacer or more in summer to double weight by weaning
750 g/day will not allow calves to double their weight and they do not eat enough grain to compensate.
Calves with a better start continue having an advantage over calves fed lower amount of milk.

28. Invest in your farm’s future
The first 6 months of a calf’s life determines the success of the next 2-10 years of your farm.
Invest in your farm’s future!

29. Copy of this presentation can be found at: www.mapleviewagri.ca
Questions
Copy of this presentation can be found at:

30. Energy in different milk replacers