Know How / Youngstock management Case studiesSee all YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTBenefits of ad-lib milk feeding for calvesGiving pre-weaned calves access to as much calf milk replacer as their appetites demand has transformed the performance of Scottish dairy farmer Rory Christie’s heifer replacements. Dourie Farming Co, at… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTHow passive transfer testing gives calves a good startOn-farm blood testing to check dairy calves for successful passive transfer from colostrum has helped a 780-cow herd validate its protocols. Within six months, correlating the outcomes with calf health,… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTHow spring block calver uses nurse cows to rear replacementsEase of management is the driver for a family farm in east Devon to leave the job of rearing heifer replacements to the cows themselves. Tim Wall, who runs a… DAIRYGrant brings 'excellent' improvements to youngstock handlingFor his youngstock, spring block-calver Rupert Major installed an “excellent” curved handling facility instead of an “average” one to meet the requirements for Defra funding two years ago. Farmers Weekly… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTBenefits of dedicated calf rearer for split block-calverFeeding calves is not a low-ranking job at Lower Park Farm. Instead, an employee dedicated to calf rearing is considered the key to consistency in feeding, weighing and following protocols… WHATS IN YOUR LIVESTOCK SHEDWhat’s in Your Livestock Shed? visits a converted calf shedHistorically, a high incidence of pneumonia had impacted calf health at The Brook, Tybroughton, near Whitchurch, Shropshire, and there were consequences for performance when animals joined the milking herd. In… Practical adviceSee all YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTAdvice on step-down weaning for calves to avoid setbacksFeeding high volumes of milk to calves during their most efficient and cost-effective growth phase needs a step-down protocol to ensure a smooth transition through weaning. Without it, the two… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTAdvice on minimising dairy calf moves to reduce stressEvery change in environment, social grouping and diet is an upset for a young calf. This impacts feed intake, which, in turn, affects growth rate. Anecdotal evidence, from business consultant… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENT7 ways small changes in calf rearing can bring big gainsAs a vet working with dairy and beef farms, one of the most common questions I am asked is: “Do we need to make a big change to improve our… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTWhy enough space to feed is vital for heifer health and growthPaying attention to feed and water access for replacement heifers is the key to ensuring coccidiosis prevention works – and that youngstock can achieve their growth targets. Adding medicine such… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTWhy a simple, repeatable system is key for calf rearingAttention to detail and consistency are the keys to success with calves, according to consultant vet Tommy Heffernan. It sounds simple, he says, but in practice, remains hard to achieve… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTBenefits of a calf cart for moving newborn calvesInvesting in a calf cart (or trolley) may be the key to keeping staff happy and healthy. The aim of calf transport is to move calves hygienically and safely between… Insights LIVESTOCK DISEASESWhy pneumonia is hitting more young grazing suckled calvesVets are urging farmers to put in place mitigation strategies to curtail a surprising increase in respiratory disease linked to immunosuppression in young, suckled, grazing calves. The rise in cases… FEED AND NUTRITIONIs insect oil an alternative fat source for calf milk replacer?Using oil derived from black soldier flies as the fat source in calf milk powder could offer a more sustainable solution to current alternatives – without compromising on youngstock performance.… MEDICINESWhy don’t more farmers use pain relief for sick calves?Concern over managing the use of antimicrobials on-farm and a lack of understanding around the effectiveness of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are preventing use of these drugs as standard in treating… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTWhy calf starter feed is important for weaningOffering calves a starter concentrate from day one – plus access to clean water – is critical for rumen development and, ultimately, avoiding a post-weaning dip in growth rates. Even… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTBenefits of lung scanning for respiratory disease in calvesA study involving eight commercial dairy farms has flagged up the value of scanning calf lungs for respiratory disease damage. Some two-thirds of the animals found with lesions had never… FEED AND NUTRITIONCopper in dairy rations: Is too much as bad as too little?Evaluating copper levels in every feed source and supplement before formulating rations for dairy cows – and youngstock – will help meet animal requirements but prevent overfeeding and protect animal… LIVESTOCKHow a farm vet team cut antibiotics use in calf castrationsAntibiotics use in surgical calf castration by a south of England vet practice fell by nearly 60% in one year following a clinical audit. Tonia Simms, clinical director at Hampden… LIVESTOCKWhy a congenital defect could cause calf lossesAsk a dairy or beef farmer if they have ever had a calf born with atresia, a condition commonly known as “waterbelly”, and the chances are they will say no.… LIVESTOCKBenefits of giving dairy calves toys on farmGiving dairy calves plastic “toys” to play with helps them express their natural behaviour which, in turn, benefits their mental wellbeing. As a result, they are less likely to display… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTHow a ‘big squeeze’ could help dummy calves to suckNeonatal maladjustment syndrome in calves – also known as “dummy calf” syndrome – can be a challenge for dairy farmers to manage, often requiring extra labour to tube-feed youngstock. Typically,… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTLack of heifer weight data costs US dairiesTiming first service in a maiden heifer to when she has reached a given percentage of mature bodyweight (not just her age) is essential to maximise genetic potential and future… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTTrial compares performance of whey protein v whey powderUsing a whey protein-based milk replacer, over a whey powder-based alternative, could increase saleable milk yields by almost £500 a heifer. This is according to research presented by Volac’s global…
